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Something NEW and FRESH for you each day
Browse each page, discover, scroll waaayy down, see what's new,
and take it all in
Be blessed and encouraged. Grow in your walk with God
(and remember to share the Patch with everyone you know)
Browse each page, discover, scroll waaayy down, see what's new,
and take it all in
Be blessed and encouraged. Grow in your walk with God
(and remember to share the Patch with everyone you know)
April 2024
Darkness is as light to You.’ Psalm 139:12
We all have ‘dark’ moments every day in this
‘present evil age’. (Galatians 1:4)
Maybe you feel these moments as loneliness. Maybe you feel them as a sense of not being attractive, or not being liked by others, or just being lost at sea
in a large and overwhelming life. It is critical that we bring God into these moments, and I will explain why…
Areas of sorrow, or sadness in our life (what I refer to above as ‘darkness’), are not only hard to deal with in ourselves, but also are areas of weakness where the enemy can attack and
steal.
I have known people who feel they are not ‘lovable’ or pretty, and because of losing hope in this area of life, they are very vulnerable to someone who comes along and makes them
feel lovable or pretty. And the enemy has used this insecurity and brought the wrong person into this space to do just that. I have seen strong Christians fall in this area.
We need to bring Jesus into our areas of darkness and insecurity, which are also our areas of weakness. It is critical that in this place we allow the presence of Jesus to be with us,
and we need to listen to his report to us here, and believe it. He will whisper to you in those ‘dark’ moments, if you let him, and he will transform your dark places into times and
spaces that are sweet with his presence and voice. (Psalm 73:25-26; Psalm 42:7) Your darkness is not something he cannot handle
(Psalm 139:12), and he can and will ‘turn your darkness to light.’ (II Samuel 22:29)
- Pastor Glenn
Try going to Jesus !
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I don’t want anyone to stand before God one day and hear him say “I don’t know you" then have that person look at me and say “why didn’t you tell me about Jesus?”
If you share Jesus with someone - the ball is in their court. It's decision time for them. If you don't share Jesus - that's on you.
Join me in sharing Jesus with our world. Give the Patch link to every person you know and by every means of social media you can think of and invite them to do the same. Print off a bunch of those Patch cards from the bottom of our main page and leave one wherever you go. Be creative and radical ! Share Jesus in 2024 !
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April 23, 2024
Joel 2:24
The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
- The Lord wants to bless and be good to you.
- He wants to provide you with what you need and supply even more.
- He is your Provider and there is no shortage in His storehouse for you.
- So, let’s be expectant and believe in His goodness, provision, and kindness.
Lord, You are my faithful Provider. It is from Your hand that all blessings flow. May my threshing floors be filled with grain and may my vats overflow with Your gifts of blessing and favor. Amen.
Joel 2:24
The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
- The Lord wants to bless and be good to you.
- He wants to provide you with what you need and supply even more.
- He is your Provider and there is no shortage in His storehouse for you.
- So, let’s be expectant and believe in His goodness, provision, and kindness.
Lord, You are my faithful Provider. It is from Your hand that all blessings flow. May my threshing floors be filled with grain and may my vats overflow with Your gifts of blessing and favor. Amen.
"On target"
Brothers and Sisters in Christ
In this season, we MUST have our discernment UP!
Or we’ll end up loving the very thing the enemy sends ‼️‼️
love, Lexi
In this season, we MUST have our discernment UP!
Or we’ll end up loving the very thing the enemy sends ‼️‼️
love, Lexi
"From a real Mom's heart"
(weekly)
(weekly)
Psalm 37:5 reads, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust also in Him and He will bring it to pass.
Worry and care doesn't accomplish anything except to make us miserable. If you are worried about anything, give it to God and let Him take care of you.
"Speak something like this: By God's grace I will not worry (Phil 4:6) and I will not hurry. Worry and hurry are twins that can steal your health." Joyce Meyer
I just got finished with listening to a tape called "Give God a Job". After all, nothing is too hard for God!
Let me know if I can pray about any concerns or needs anyone has.
Bless you,
Mom Jan
Worry and care doesn't accomplish anything except to make us miserable. If you are worried about anything, give it to God and let Him take care of you.
"Speak something like this: By God's grace I will not worry (Phil 4:6) and I will not hurry. Worry and hurry are twins that can steal your health." Joyce Meyer
I just got finished with listening to a tape called "Give God a Job". After all, nothing is too hard for God!
Let me know if I can pray about any concerns or needs anyone has.
Bless you,
Mom Jan
Mom Jan would love to hear from you.
Email her through:
[email protected]
Would you like to have your own column and be a writer for the Patch? Contact us at:
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So much more. Scroll, browse, soak it all in and enjoy !
Jesus said "Come, follow Me"
Have you spent some time at the cross today ?
Through the Seasons of Life, your anchor in the storm
Lord, I want to trust you, but I don't know how! When life throws that curve ball and you have the wind knocked out of you, what do you do? Where do you turn?
When we were kids, we used to put a small hole in each end of an egg and then blow the contents out. The egg looked like any other in the bowl, but it was hollow. When pressure was applied to it, it broke easily into shattered pieces. I often think of that egg as I field life's curveballs and as I watch others do the same. A hollowness in our souls will leave us feeling shattered by the pressures of life. When a relationship becomes strained, when illness robs your days, when your stomach churns with the stress of life makes you go to your room and cry a flood of tears into your pillow when the unexpected happens, do you crumble like a hollow eggshell or do you know where to find strength for your soul?
The Bible has principles for living. They're written by the very God who created us and understands the hollowness that can creep unbidden into our souls. This is not merely positive thinking or visualization, this is help from the God of the universe, the same God who sent his son Jesus to be the source of everything we need to face the curveballs of life. Look at the promise for you that comes straight from the heart of Father God:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Do you see it? Joy, peace, and hope are offered to you by the God of hope! This is not just a promise to "get by" or to be a "survivor" — it's a promise to be overflowing with hope — to be filled with joy and peace. Sounds a bit like fluff, doesn't it? Is it really possible to be pulled from the pit of despair and overflow with hope? Yes, but it's supernatural. That's God's part; he does it when we do our part.
And what is our part? It’s that little phrase sandwiched in — between the promise of being filled with joy and peace and the promise of overflowing with hope. Our part is an individual thing: 'as you trust in him.' But how? How does one trust? In the storms of life, many people desperately want to trust this God who offers hope, but simply don’t know how. Especially when the waves are coming fast and threatening to pull them under. God even gives us the formula in his Word, in the book of the Bible named Lamentations:
Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is his faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
When trouble strikes and our hearts grow faint, we often forget the great love our Father in Heaven has for us and can doubt the goodness of God toward us. When that happens, we begin to be consumed by our stress and our fears, and we may blame God. When we follow God's formula and recall his great love for us, reminding ourselves daily of his compassion toward us, our hearts then gain strength. God knows the daily need we have to remember his kindness toward us in the middle of our unkind circumstances, so he calls us to focus on it every morning. His compassions that never fail us are his resources to carry us through our day, no matter how hard it gets.
Has hope, peace, and strength vanished in the wind of your storm? His peace, his strength, his wisdom, his understanding, his hope will become yours as you trust him for it — whatever you need today will become yours supernaturally. As you lean into his great love for you today and lean on his resources, you will not be consumed, you will not be crushed like a hollow eggshell. You will find him faithful step by step by step — that's trusting.
You don't need to doubt the love and the goodness of God towards you. He doesn't promise a storm-free life, but he does promise to be the anchor in the storm so that you will not be overcome! Trust him daily. Trust him hourly and learn to trust him moment by moment. His resources will not only get you through, but you will truly grow to experience him as the source of overflowing hope "by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Trust Him. He is our faithful God!
-Pastor Glenn
Lord, I want to trust you, but I don't know how! When life throws that curve ball and you have the wind knocked out of you, what do you do? Where do you turn?
When we were kids, we used to put a small hole in each end of an egg and then blow the contents out. The egg looked like any other in the bowl, but it was hollow. When pressure was applied to it, it broke easily into shattered pieces. I often think of that egg as I field life's curveballs and as I watch others do the same. A hollowness in our souls will leave us feeling shattered by the pressures of life. When a relationship becomes strained, when illness robs your days, when your stomach churns with the stress of life makes you go to your room and cry a flood of tears into your pillow when the unexpected happens, do you crumble like a hollow eggshell or do you know where to find strength for your soul?
The Bible has principles for living. They're written by the very God who created us and understands the hollowness that can creep unbidden into our souls. This is not merely positive thinking or visualization, this is help from the God of the universe, the same God who sent his son Jesus to be the source of everything we need to face the curveballs of life. Look at the promise for you that comes straight from the heart of Father God:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Do you see it? Joy, peace, and hope are offered to you by the God of hope! This is not just a promise to "get by" or to be a "survivor" — it's a promise to be overflowing with hope — to be filled with joy and peace. Sounds a bit like fluff, doesn't it? Is it really possible to be pulled from the pit of despair and overflow with hope? Yes, but it's supernatural. That's God's part; he does it when we do our part.
And what is our part? It’s that little phrase sandwiched in — between the promise of being filled with joy and peace and the promise of overflowing with hope. Our part is an individual thing: 'as you trust in him.' But how? How does one trust? In the storms of life, many people desperately want to trust this God who offers hope, but simply don’t know how. Especially when the waves are coming fast and threatening to pull them under. God even gives us the formula in his Word, in the book of the Bible named Lamentations:
Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is his faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
When trouble strikes and our hearts grow faint, we often forget the great love our Father in Heaven has for us and can doubt the goodness of God toward us. When that happens, we begin to be consumed by our stress and our fears, and we may blame God. When we follow God's formula and recall his great love for us, reminding ourselves daily of his compassion toward us, our hearts then gain strength. God knows the daily need we have to remember his kindness toward us in the middle of our unkind circumstances, so he calls us to focus on it every morning. His compassions that never fail us are his resources to carry us through our day, no matter how hard it gets.
Has hope, peace, and strength vanished in the wind of your storm? His peace, his strength, his wisdom, his understanding, his hope will become yours as you trust him for it — whatever you need today will become yours supernaturally. As you lean into his great love for you today and lean on his resources, you will not be consumed, you will not be crushed like a hollow eggshell. You will find him faithful step by step by step — that's trusting.
You don't need to doubt the love and the goodness of God towards you. He doesn't promise a storm-free life, but he does promise to be the anchor in the storm so that you will not be overcome! Trust him daily. Trust him hourly and learn to trust him moment by moment. His resources will not only get you through, but you will truly grow to experience him as the source of overflowing hope "by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Trust Him. He is our faithful God!
-Pastor Glenn
Do you have a thought, a graphic or a worship video you'd like to share on the Patch? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Get in the flow !
April 23, 2024
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 There is very little that pains me more or cuts me more deeply than to hear the name of Jesus used flippantly, or worse, as a swear word. The name I love more than anything else, the name that is above all other names, the wonderful name of the One who loved them enough to bear their punishment on a Roman Cross, used as a curse word is heartbreaking. For those of us who love Him and serve Him because of that love, we are called to do everything in His name. Colossians 3:17 says this, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” There are so many reasons why we do everything in His name. When we do what we do in His name, His power and authority go with us. In His name, people are redeemed, healed, set free, delivered, empowered, transformed, and renewed. In His name, the powers of darkness are overthrown. In His name, all that is wrong will be made right. Justice will prevail, and inhumanity will be punished. In the name above all names. The name of Jesus. April 23, 2024
Looking for fulfillment in the wrong places Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:2 During life's trials and disappointments, we often find ourselves searching for solace and fulfillment in the wrong places. There's a story of a woman who, after the passing of her husband, sought comfort in the companionship of a pet. She visited a pet store, hoping to find a faithful friend to ease her loneliness. The store owner suggested a parakeet, promising that it could talk and provide her with the companionship she craved. Excited by the prospect, the woman purchased the parakeet and brought it home with her. She eagerly began talking to the bird, hoping to hear its response. Days passed, then weeks, but the parakeet remained silent, much to the woman's disappointment. Determined to make the bird talk, she returned to the pet store seeking answers. The owner suggested various accessories – a mirror, a swing, a ladder – each promising to coax the parakeet into speech. The woman followed the owner's advice, diligently providing the bird with everything it supposedly needed to talk. Yet despite her efforts, the parakeet remained silent. Finally, after weeks of frustration, the bird suddenly passed away, leaving the woman heartbroken and disillusioned. This story serves as a touching reminder of how easily we can be misled in our search for fulfillment. Like the woman with the parakeet, we often invest our time, energy, and resources in pursuits that ultimately leave us empty-handed. We may chase after relationships, possessions, or achievements, believing they will bring us happiness and satisfaction. But like the silent parakeet, these things can never fulfill the deepest longings of our hearts. Instead of seeking fulfillment in temporary pleasures or external validation, we are called to seek God's kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). True fulfillment can only be found in a relationship with our Creator, who alone can satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts. Remember the words of Isaiah 55:2, "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?" Let us turn our hearts toward God, the source of true fulfillment and lasting joy. "Just to encourage"
April 23, 2024
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 I don’t know if you’re anything like me, but sometimes, I got really sick of hearing my mom tell me stuff. It’s not that I had a bad mom. In reality, my mom was pretty great. But like any teenager, I sometimes got sick of her advice and wanted her to just let me do my own thing. However, there are actually some pretty good things we can learn if we’re willing to listen to others. I’m sure there was a lot of heartache I could have avoided if I’d simply listened to my mom’s wisdom. The same is true with God’s wisdom written in His word. When we hear God’s word, and do what it says, we are like a man who built his house on the rock. Why? Because God’s word stands the test of time. It doesn’t crumble, but it remains. If we listen to God and His advice on how to live our lives, we will avoid many of the problems and the heartache that’s in the world. So today, be sure that you’re giving the proper priority to God’s word. Ask Him for help and put into practice what He tells you to do. - Pastor Glenn Hey, I hope you are enjoying the Patch.
In our messed-up world, people need encouragement. Now more than ever, they need Jesus. Join me in sharing the Patch with every person you can in any way you can think of. COPY AND PASTE: http://wwww.youthpatchministries.weebly.com/ LET' BLOW UP SOCIAL MEDIA FOR JESUS !! I'd love to hear from you :) [email protected] April 23, 2024
I’m Just So Tired But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 Have you ever wanted to lose weight, but weight just does not want to lose you? You find your running shoes from three years ago, dust them off and step outside, do 2.7 seconds of stretching, and off you go. You are jogging. But when you make it to the end of the block, you can’t breathe and are an excellent candidate for a heart attack. You promise to never do this again and limp home. “I’m just so tired” is my number one excuse to not work out. There’s just so much going on, and so many things that need doing. I just don’t have the time or the energy. Have you been there, done that? God doesn’t advertise energy drinks, coffee, essential oils, yoga, or whatever it is people turn to first to get their energy fix. He is crystal clear… “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength…they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not get faint.” God is here for you 24/7/365. He never takes a lunch, a break, or a holiday. He will carry you when you are tired and give you strength when you ask. He will not let you down. But you have to trust Him, and that’s the first part of the verse that most people forget about. Heavenly Father, you said if I trusted you, you would give me new strength. Help me to trust you with every fiber of my being. I need the strength to finish the good work that you assigned me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. April 23, 2024
After facing severe opposition—including being stoned and left for dead—in the area of Lystra Acts 14:19 the apostle Paul bravely traveled back through the area. We are told he wanted to encourage the disciples and said to them, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (verse 22). Simply living from one day to day. Week to week, month to month…year to the next seems filled with challenges and “tribulations” for nearly everyone! I haven’t yet met someone who has never been through difficult, often terrible, and almost unbearable trials. They aren’t the same for everyone, but pain, worry and fear, deep regrets, terrible loss, and at times even deep loneliness are things everyone must experience—although they come in different ways to different people. Are you in that place right now? Are things at school getting stressful? Have family problems left you confused, scared, and hurting? Have you experienced a heartbreak? Have you ever felt misunderstood? We’ve al been there, you aren’t alone. Paul understood there is an added challenge that comes when God extends His gracious calling to us. To be invited by God to come out of the world in the sense of values, goals and what we hold as most valuable—and then to change to live His way—is a tremendous privilege, but it is also a difficult challenge. The difficulties come from without and from within. Paul himself had experienced more than his fair share of both. It is amply recorded how he endured a great deal of persecution from religious Jews and devout pagans. His fervent preaching of God’s truth led some to say he had “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). He later recorded how he had endured beatings and stripes, imprisonment, highway robbers, and a stoning (2 Corinthians 11:24-26). But he never did back down from the job God had given him—or from his steadfast faith. It was not just external pressure that Paul dealt with. We know from what he wrote in Romans 7:14-24 that he daily faced the same internal battles you and I still fight today. He still had human nature to resist, human pride and ego to control, and the influences of peers and the world around him to battle. Why does God allow, stuff in our lives that requires us to endure the pressure cooker of challenges, obstacles, trials, and tribulations? Why are there times when life seems incredibly heavy—when all the weight of it feels as if it is pressing heavily down on our shoulders? Perhaps we can learn a lesson from looking briefly at stonework. Builders long ago learned it is possible to build stone archways—even without mortar to bind the stones together. The key is to carefully shape and fit the stones together and then place a sizable load on top of the arch to press the stones more firmly together. Because the weight presses the stones together, the increased pressure actually makes the arch stronger! By the same token, if its stones are still sound and in place, an arch that has begun to deteriorate and is in danger of collapse can often be saved and strengthened by increasing the load that it must bear. I read a short blog post in which the author said, “The ironic thing about adding a greater load to the arch of your life, is that in striving to do more meaningful work, you find that you’re even more productive than when you had less to do. Even though you objectively have less time, you get more done” As counterintuitive as that may sound, it is true. I remember a truism in the business world, which says, “If you want to get a job done, give it to a busy man.” Supervisors recognized that the additional pressure would cause a person to grow and reach a greater degree of their potential if they would only accept the challenge and shoulder the load. It seems our Creator custom-designed this trait into us. While we often desire and even dream about cruising along with no problems in a world where everything is just chill, lack of pressure, and a lack of challenges, we truly don’t function our best, or even very well, if we are in that condition for very long. We need to struggle in order to grow, and our spiritual lives are no different. Perhaps that is why we are told over and over in Scripture to endure to the end (Matthew 10:22), endure hardship as a good soldier (2 Timothy 2:3), run with endurance the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1), that love bears and endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-8), and so forth. God knows that we have to shoulder the burdens of life and the additional challenges, both internal and external, that come from living our calling. If we have no challenges—no burdens to bear—or if we refuse to shoulder the load, then we cease to grow stronger or mature. Without challenges, we fail to reach a greater degree of our potential. The comforting thing is that God doesn’t leave us to struggle under our loads alone. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Like an engineer carefully laying the right amount of weight on the proper points to strengthen an archway, our Father works carefully with us, walking beside us, making sure the proper load is placed on us at the right time and in the right places. This process ensures we will learn, mature, and become stronger for His cause. Our Lord and Master desires to look at each of us one day and see a strong and secure arch that has withstood life’s storms and setbacks and is now strong enough to be a supporting pillar (or perhaps an arch?) in the eternal temple of God (Revelation 3:12). Week of April 22, 2024
Take a look inside What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean. Matthew 15:11 One of my rose bushes has been holding on to a bud for the last two months. It hasn’t opened up because of the cold and the rain but it is hanging on ‘for better times.’ I love flowers of all kinds but they all fade away in their season. I’ve taken pictures of plants to treasure their beauty knowing well that what I see right now will eventually go the way of all the other flowers and fall to the ground. I’ve noticed that even the beauty of youth goes through a transformation that changes their gentle blush to the mature look and then the wrinkles appear. But that is the reason for makeup, perfume and lotions. We want to hold on to the strong, the beautiful and the glamorous as long as we can. We know there is coming a time when the roses will fade; the glamour will be lost and life goes on in a different way. Peter wrote of having an unfading beauty of the inner self. (1 Peter 3:4) Unfading beauty! We wish that the secret of the mysterious fountain of youth would do that to our bodies while Peter is reminding us that the important ‘stuff’ is on the inside. We pay a lot of attention to the outside but have not taken a lot of care for the inside. I love watching the children open their gifts on birth dates and Christmas. They don’t care about the wrappings! They aren’t gentle or orderly. As far as they are concerned ‘let’s get to the good stuff’ that is covered with the unnecessary paper. It’s what’s inside that counts. That’s a Bible story, too. It’s what’s on the inside that makes our living so important. As a matter of fact, the book of Proverbs reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (4:23) Anything that is worth something in our lives has its source in our hearts. Our values, our reactions, our attitudes, our self-worth and who we really are comes from the spring in our hearts. These are the really important things in life and somehow, we need to beautify ourselves in these areas. Let me suggest a spiritual beautician’s formula to making ourselves attractive on the inner self: 1. Prayer – the more time we spend with the Master, the more we become like Him. It’s His nature in us that will bring us a lasting benefit. 2. Put out of your heart and mind anything that would be negative and bitter. We need to learn to grow on the sweet, pure and loving matters in order to flavor our lives in healthy ways. 3. Choose your friends. Those that have a negative affect should not have a chance to rob us of much of our energy and time. Find friends that are up-beat and joyfully positive. 4. Exercise your mind by reading items that will help you to grow spiritually and will challenge your heart for a deeper walk with the Lord. Friday April 19, 2023
and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2 There are many commandments in the Bible. Jesus taught us, however, that two of them stand above the others. An expert in religious law had asked him, “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments,” (Matthew 22:36-40). What about Jesus Himself? Did Jesus follow His own teaching on love? Our verse for today has the answer. He did. Indeed, He set a stellar example in this regard. He lived a life full of love. He loved the Lord God by obeying Him, even though the Lord expected Him to offer Himself up as a sacrifice for our sins (Matthew 26:39). He loved his neighbors by his willingness to actually die for us. He didn’t have to do it, but He did it anyway. He loved us enough to go through the pain and humiliation that all of it meant (Hebrews 12:2). The Apostle Paul says we should follow the example of Jesus. We should, that is, be filled with love. How far does this go? It goes as far as the example Jesus set. We should be willing to give our lives for our neighbors. Few of us will be asked to go that far, but we should be ready to go that far if necessary. We must always be ready to turn from our selfish ways, take up our crosses daily, and follow Jesus’ example (Luke 9:23). Jesus’ obedience to the laws of love teaches us that there is much more to life than the mere satisfaction of our own wants and desires. Further, it teaches us that if we’re ready to follow Him in this regard, even to the point of giving our lives for our neighbors, then it will be pleasing to God the Father. God's Word is our spiritual food and is essential for our growth. Once again, I've decided to read and meditate daily upon the Word - cover to cover, over the next year. Will you make a commitment to joining me ? - Glenn
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April 23, 2024 The Truth About Your Feelings For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 Have you ever thought about how God feels about your feelings? Somewhere along the way in my own life, I picked up the message that emotions weren’t good. I thought that I shouldn’t feel angry or sad or frustrated and that God was maybe even judging my feelings. Deep down, I asked a question that maybe you’ve wondered about, too: Are my emotions sin? But over the past few years, as I’ve been learning to listen to what my emotions are trying to tell me, I’ve discovered a truth that has shifted everything for me: Feelings were never meant to be fixed; feelings are meant to be felt. More than just a race of adrenaline, feelings point the way for us to connect more deeply with ourselves, others, and God than we thought possible. How do I know this? Because God has emotions too! Though God’s emotions are different from ours because He is perfect and unchanging, Scripture says He felt happiness about everything He created (Genesis 1:31) and disappointment at His creation’s rebellion (Genesis 3:11-13). He felt anger at people’s continued rebellion (Zephaniah 1:4-6). He felt delight when Abraham, David, and others followed Him (Deuteronomy 30:9-10) and sadness when they went their own ways. Because of this, emotions are a facet of what it means to be made in the image of God. Therefore, emotions are not bad, and emotions are not sin. Emotions aren’t even neutral. When we understand that God has a purpose and plan for them, emotions are actually good — and not just some of them, like peace and joy, but all of them. All emotions are good. Aren’t you just blown away by this? We have a God who feels emotions yet does not sin; He responds to all His feelings rightly. The author of Hebrews says of Jesus, “We have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus felt His emotions, allowed them to draw people to Himself, and didn’t sin. I believe we can follow His example! We can’t help but feel emotions, and we should allow ourselves to feel them — but in a redeemed way, a life-giving way, a way that leads to connection and greater freedom. So, what are you feeling today? Are you happy, sad, angry, or afraid? And what do you think God is feeling about those feelings? Take them all to our God, who not only feels for Himself but who also comes close to us when we’re feeling all our feelings too. Dear Jesus, thank You for creating me in Your image and for the gift of my emotions. I ask You today to help me feel my emotions fully, help me see them as good, and help me not sin. Use all of my feelings to draw me closer to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Now, tuck this in your heart: Psalm 103:13-14 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. How do you think God feels about your feelings? Do you ever feel like He is judging them? Spend time reflecting on why you might feel this way, and ask God to help you see your emotions as He does! We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts [email protected] "Plugged In"
April 23, 2024 Give All to Jesus Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Mark 8:37 You can’t buy your way into heaven with gold, silver, or money. When you give your heart, your life, and your soul to Jesus everything in you begins to change. You see things differently and you do things differently. As your spiritual eyes open up, you understand things you didn’t understand before. Give your heart and life to Jesus and let Him change who you are. Prayer Focus: Lord, I give everything to You. God, I worship You because _________________________ Thank You for ___________________________________ Forgive me for ___________________________________ I ask You to ___________________________________ Word Light
April 23, 2024 God’s Best Road Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 I was sure I’d get the job. Everyone said I would. The multiple interviews were going well. I had made it to the last round. I was excited, looking forward to the future I had envisioned for myself — the future I wanted. Weeks later, I was given the disappointing news that I had not been selected for the position. I was devastated. Perhaps you have had a similar experience. The part-time job you wanted so badly was not offered to you; you didn’t get that job you wanted; you didn’t land that A+ you wanted; you aren’t free from health issues; your life is different than you expected. Our hopes in life can sometimes clash with God’s plan for us. He can see the bigger picture when we can’t. Therefore, when He doesn’t give us something we want, we must assume that He has something better in mind than the thing we can see at the moment. God cares for His children. He doesn’t purposely make life difficult to provoke us. There’s a reason for everything, and that reason is good, not bad. We may not see why things are happening right now. The purpose might not be revealed until years down the road, or it might not be known until we get to heaven. All we are required to do is to trust in God’s plan for us, to rest assured that this road we are on is His best route for our good and His glory. Dear Lord, forgive me for doubting your ways, which are better than mine. Give me the grace to accept the journey you have planned out for me. Amen. Throughout this day — Perhaps you’re struggling with the route God has you on. Let go of your plans and embrace where you’re at by surrendering your desires to God’s plan for your life. April 23, 2024
Surrender Your Fears Read: Luke 12:22-34 Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? verse. 25 Many of us would have to confess that we aren’t anxious about anything except our worries. As Oscar Wilde quipped, “I can resist anything except temptation.” To surrender all, we have to overcome our fear of not knowing what lies ahead. We have to give our fears and worries to God. Worry usually looks something like this: As we allow our fears to prevail, we tend to let our imaginations run loose. We think of all the bad things that could happen and then spend our time trying to figure out how to avoid or overcome them. We create countless worst-case scenarios and try to imagine what we would do if they ever happened. But in these scenarios, is God ever present? If we’re honest, we’d admit that we usually don’t include God in our “problem-solving” because we think we can handle it ourselves. That’s not surrender. In today’s reading, Jesus’s instructions to his disciples are clear. Fear and worry will not add a single hour to your life. God knows your needs, and God cares for you. We need to trust that our future is in his good and capable hands. Put into practice what Peter instructed, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Don’t let your imagination dwell on “what-ifs.” As you pray, ask God to help you surrender all your fears and worries to him. "Ignite" - Monthly feature
April 2024
Jesus Passes the Test for Us Since the beginning, human beings have failed God’s test. In Eden, Satan asked, “Did God say . . . ?” and then misquoted God’s words. Adam and Eve responded by questioning the word of God and then doing what seemed right in their own eyes. So do we. Jesus, the Son of God, came to live among us as a human being. And, in his case, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. There Satan made some suggestions that sounded rather reasonable—“have something to eat; show your power; fall into the arms of God.” Jesus responded to each temptation with a quote from the Scriptures. Rather than twisting God’s words, he said, in effect, “No, I live by the Word of God.” This is still our challenge as well. Will we live by God’s Word, or will we do what seems right in our own eyes? Like Adam and Eve, we are experts at twisting God’s words to suit our own purposes. We lie, we lust, we get angry, we are greedy, we gossip—and so on. Rarely does a day pass in which we don’t yield to some temptation. We need to rely on the only one who passed the test. Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15). What’s more, Jesus also laid down his life to pay the price for our sin—so that we can live forever with God. What a Savior! Father, forgive us, for Jesus’ sake, when we fail to live your way when we are tempted. Lord Jesus, thank you for living faithfully and giving your life for our sake. Amen. To take up your cross and follow Jesus. Are you in ?
Lord, are you truly number one in my life?
Lord, are you truly my first love, my one desire, and my all in all? Examine us, oh God, and show us where we have made idols for ourselves that we never thought we would have. Our job, our spouse, our best friend, our money, our status, our intelligence, our charisma - may their light fade away in the shining glory of your countenance. Show us, Father, all the ways we depend on things and people instead of depending on You. And when you do, please Lord help us be obedient, taking up the cross and surrendering all to you, no matter the cost. My Hope is You. My Joy is You. My life is for You.
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Are you all in for Jesus ??
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Is Saying ‘No’ Enough? When someone asks if you want a drink or drugs, how will you respond? These practical tips might help... Rates of drug and alcohol abuse among teens are, thankfully, at historic lows, according to the latest annual “Monitoring the Future” national survey, released just last year. Still, it would be naïve to assume that this alleged decrease in teen substance abuse means peer pressure to smoke, drink or use drugs is now a thing of the past. On the contrary, there remains a strong probability that you will get pressured (whether explicitly or indirectly) to drink or use drugs—at which point, knowing how to say “no” will be critical. The pressure every teen feels Regardless of your circle of friends and whether you attend a Christian school, the reality is that you’ll likely be invited to take part in underage drinking—or handed a joint or pill and dared to try it, as part of a misguided teenaged rite of passage. In fact, it’s safe to simply assume you will encounter offers of drugs and/or alcohol, as evidenced by the following data from the 2016 MTF survey: Roughly 38 percent of 10th graders and 56 percent of 12th graders drank in the last year. While only 6 percent of 12th graders (or one in 16 high school seniors) reports using marijuana daily, there has been a sizable decrease in the number of teens who think the drug is harmful to use regularly. Tips for Saying “No” Below are some tips that may come in handy the next time someone offers you drugs or alcohol. While 'saying no' might seem like the hardest thing to do, remember Hebrews 2:18, which says about Jesus ... "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted". Have a non-alcoholic beverage in hand. People will be far less likely to pressure you to drink when you already have a drink in your hand. Having a drink in your hands will also help you feel less awkward about saying “no” to offers of alcohol, cigarettes or other drugs. If you’re not sure whether the party you’re going to will provide non-alcoholic options, take your own drink with you. It’s unlikely that people will notice the drink in your hand is non-alcoholic. (In fact, there’s a greater chance they will notice merely that you have a drink in your hand, and consequently will forget to offer you one.) Offer to be the designated driver. Driving “under the influence” of alcohol, marijuana or other substances is never a good idea. If you've got your license, one way you can show God’s love to your friends is to be responsible in looking out for them and getting them home safely after a night of heavy partying and drinking. Come prepared with a reason you're not drinking. For example, if you’re an athlete and have a game or race the following day, that is a perfectly reasonable explanation for why you’re avoiding alcohol, cigarettes or other drugs. Or maybe there’s a test tomorrow, or you need to be at work on time. There are a host of justifiable reasons that can be given for politely refusing drug or alcohol offers. Just be honest. Sometimes it's just easier to come out and say you don’t drink or do drugs, whatever the reason may be. “I’m not into that” or “I stay away from that stuff” is sufficient. So is “I want to stay healthy” or “There’s no way I’ll ever do that.” A polite but firm, self-confident “no” can set a positive example for your friends, improve your own self-esteem, and protect you from very real harm. In some cases, too, it may become a natural opening for talking about your faith and why you live differently to others. Invisibility is not a superpower. Do you feel like nobody ever sees you? Be reminded that God always does.
We all have been asked the question: If you could have a superpower, what would it be? A - To fly B - Telepathy C - Time travel D - Invisibility In movies, invisibility is portrayed as this awesome superpower where the character can disappear to protect themselves from a punch, and then reappear on the other side of the room, completely unharmed. Now imagine if that character was always invisible. How could they connect with anyone? How could they make friends? How could they live a happy life if no one could see them? The answer is they couldn’t. The only reason the superpower of invisibility is cool, is because the character can choose when to use it. It may be fun for a minute not to be seen, but everyone can agree that a whole life of invisibility is really no superpower at all. To BE invisible in movies = power. To FEEL invisible in life = pain. The invisible beggar Let’s look at a passage of scripture involving a beggar. Acts 3:1-3: One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer... Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to a temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter and John looked straight at him. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” so the man gave them his attention. Consider a few things about life for this beggar. This man was lame; he couldn’t walk or even stand. What this meant is that he would sit on the ground begging. All day. I once met a homeless man who told me, “Even if people don’t have anything to give me, I still wish they would smile at me and acknowledged my presence.” This would’ve been pretty similar to the experience of the beggar in Acts 3. Day after day people treating him as if he was invisible. Feeling invisible today I think many of us relate to the beggar more than we realize. Not in the sense that we’re homeless or lame. No, we’re like the beggar because we can feel invisible. Sometimes this is self–inflicted, we try to be invisible to cope with our insecurities. However, at the end of the day, trying to be invisible just leaves us feeling miserable. My story When I was in High School, I thought I was invisible - like nobody noticed me. But I also felt like I was constantly being judged. How is that possible? How can someone who’s unseen be judged? Soon I realized that the way I acted encouraged others to treat me as invisible. When people asked me questions, I’d give short answers with no follow ups. When people looked at me, I wouldn’t look back. The reason why I wanted to be invisible is because I didn’t want my own insecurities on display. It wasn’t that they were judging me, they were simply going with what their intuition led them to believe; that I wanted to be invisible. And they were right. They were ignoring me because they thought that’s what I wanted, when really what I wanted was the opposite. My insecurities and attempt to be invisible led the students to thinking that I wanted to be ignored. We negatively interpret people’s ideas of us due to what our own insecurities tell us. So, I tried something new. I went out into the world, intentionally looked up, and engaged with the people walking by. I decided to live a visible life. I found that when I engaged with people, they engaged back. Sometimes this wouldn’t happen, at high-school I encountered other kids who didn’t want to be seen. They like me wanted to be invisible, hiding their own insecurities by hiding themselves. So what? What should we do? Why should we look up? Why should we live visible? You have been made in the image of God. You are loved and known. Even if you feel like no one else sees you, God does! You have integrity and worth not reliant on your performance in the classroom or the sporting field. Your integrity and worth are rooted in being made in God’s image. Jesus gave his life for you. You have worth! Given all this, we can engage with others knowing that what they think of you doesn’t define who you are. It's what God says about us that really matters. Once we look up like the beggar did, we’ll be more sensitive to the ones with their heads still down. We’ll get the opportunity to be like Peter and John and engage with the downcast. This is a whole of life thing, whether we’re in school hallways, at a coffee shop or in the workplace. Test It Out: Remember God sees you and loves you, and dedicate a week to engaging people around you by doing simple things like: Smiling at people in the hallways Calling the barista at a coffee shop by their name Saying “Have a good day” to the cashier at the store Doing a random act of kindness Live visible. God wants you to have the courage to raise your heads like the beggar. Understand the value, worth and integrity that you have been created with. Discover your God-given purpose in life
Have you ever been lost? I remember a time when I got lost on a missions trip with my youth group. Two of my friends and I got into a taxi. Our missionary tried to give our taxi driver the address where we were going, but the taxi driver didn’t want to listen. He insisted he would just follow the taxi in front of him that had the rest of our group. The taxi got going, but as we got to a busy intersection, our taxi driver began following the wrong taxi. He drove us all over town and followed the wrong taxi to a house. When he stopped, he tried to tell us to get out. We didn’t speak the same language and we kept trying to tell him that we didn’t want to get out, that he had followed the wrong taxi. He just stared at us and looked confused. We kept trying to think of ideas to tell him to take us back to the train station where we had been picked up from. Finally, we all began making train noises, we honked and made choo-choo sounds until at last, he understood. He took us back to the train station and we waited there until the rest of our youth group came back to find us. Sometimes the idea of discovering God’s purpose for your life can make you feel lost, just like I was lost on my missions trip. You might feel like you don’t know where to go and you’re afraid to make the wrong turn or follow the wrong taxi. However, following God’s plan for your life doesn’t have to be difficult or confusing. God wants to show you your purpose. Discovering Purpose Takes Time Alone with God Proverbs 20:27 – The spirit of a man is the lamp of the lord searching all the inner depths of his heart God wants to reveal things to you about your future. However, God isn’t going to show you those things using Snapchat, Musical.ly, Instagram, or any other social media platform, but wouldn’t it be nice if he did? God reveals things to you in your spirit. And it’s not complicated: to hear God you’ve got to get quiet and listen. That’s hard sometimes, social media is way more fun than reading your Bible and prayer. However, God wants to talk to you and reveal things to you. You’ve just got to get quiet to listen to your spirit. The key to discovering your divine destiny and purpose is simple: Realize God wants to speak to you about your future. When you have that truth solidly in your heart it will make the process of discovery easier. God wants to show you His plans for your life. He wants to help you make good decisions about your future. God speaks those truths to your spirit. So, if you’re quiet and willing to listen, God will show you the next step to take. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 God has plans for you. And he wants to show them to you. All you have to do is spend some time seeking God. If you started dating someone, you’d want to spend time with them to get to know them better. You’d want to know all their hobbies, their dislikes, likes, hopes, and dreams. Developing a relationship with God is no different. It’s all about spending time getting to know God. As you spend time in the Bible and in prayer, you’ll get to know the things God likes and His hopes and dreams for you. What if I don’t feel saved?
First things first, we want to assure you that if you have at one time accepted the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, then YES, you are saved (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9). John 3:16 says, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. If you have believed, you are saved. Period. Even if you later experience doubt, that still won't take away your salvation (Romans 8:38-39). In John 10:28, Jesus talks about how those who follow Him are given eternal life and that "they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of [His] hand." It is Jesus' painful crucifixion on the cross, death, and resurrection that has saved you (Romans 5:10; Ephesians 1:7)—not any magical words, good deeds, or feelings. Maybe you know all that in your head already, but your heart just isn't feeling it. Or maybe that euphoric feeling you got after accepting Christ at youth group has faded over the years. Maybe you accepted Christ so long ago that you aren't sure if you were ever really saved in the first place. Faith vs. Feelings Don't worry. You aren't the only one who has ever felt this way. We live in a world that puts a lot of value on feelings. We make decisions based on gut reactions and go where our hearts lead us. Sometimes that's totally fine, but other times, it can get us into trouble. Emotions are always changing and sometimes untrustworthy judges. Emotions aren't BAD things—after all, God designed them into the human form. Anxiousness can warn us of immediate danger, anger can be a sign of injustice that must be righted, and love can bring us assurances of safety. If we let ONLY our feelings guide us, we'll find it difficult to be sure of anything. We'll constantly analyze erratic emotions. A Christian might ask, "Do I really love God?" or "Does He really love me?" or "Am I good enough?" and totally forget that there is a real Truth right in front of him in God's Word. Too often, we want to choose that veil of perceptions and vague feelings. We like to think that our emotions equal absolute truth—that if we feel something, then it must be true. But placing trust in our emotions is a rollercoaster that often leads to dark tunnels of doubt, discouragement, and disappointment. If you are someone who has experienced trauma around feeling emotions, you may have trained your body and brain to reject "feelings," thus making it even more difficult to interpret emotions—or, in some cases, to feel anything at all. Thankfully, God is unchanging (Numbers 23:19). Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. God is also absolutely trustworthy in every promise He has given us (Titus 1:2). And He has promised that once we believe, our salvation is secure and certain (Ephesians 1:13). Our faith in this Truth assures us of our salvation. Salvation is not a feeling. It's a FACT. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 God's Word holds real Truth—the Truth of the Father's sovereignty, the Truth of Jesus being on our side, the Truth of the Holy Spirit living inside us. All of these things give us hope of eternal glory. Focusing on and understanding these Truths can help us find meaning and purpose in life and strengthen our faith in God. Focusing on Him takes the focus off ourselves and our doubts and onto better things. When you make the decision to accept and follow Christ, you become a beautiful new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17)—even if you don't feel it. The Christian life is all about dying to the selfish desires we once pampered and being spiritually reborn to "walk in the newness of life" (Romans 6:4). Our thoughts should now focus on serving the One who saved us, not on the dead and rotting self that we have left behind. Our skin may feel the same, but the inside has been shined up with God's light. The old self is lifeless; the new self is alive. Three practical steps to help you accomplish your dreams
If you’re like most teenagers, you want to do something big with your life. You don’t want to be ordinary, but you do want to accomplish something meaningful. You desire to live your life to help others. These desires are God breathed into your life. They’re exciting and fun and for some of you, they will be world-changing. As fun as dreams are, success doesn’t happen automatically. To help your dreams become successful in the long term, we’ve come up with three practical steps to help you accomplish your dreams. Step One – Prayer. When you’re in the midst of doing something big for God prayer is vital. You’ve got to get God’s vision for your dream. God will show you how to do something when you don’t know how. He’ll show you the people you need to do the things that God is calling you to do, and He’ll give you the grace to do it. Be quick to go to God for His help. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 God sees the big picture. He has the benefit of knowing the future, so it’s important to get His input on your dreams and goals. Sometimes God will tell you to wait because the timing isn’t right to accomplish your dream. Other times, He might show you that you need some help or training to do what you feel in your heart to do. Be open to hearing from God about your dream. Follow His leading on the timing, and whether the dream is really what you’re to be doing right now. Often God will put things in your heart, but they won’t come to pass all at once. Be patient and let God lead you in the development and discovery of your dream. Step Two – Discovery. Discovery should always be a step in reaching your dreams. Discovery is simply getting to know yourself. During this phase, you’ll want to identify what types of things you excel at and discover potential weaknesses. It's also helpful to get to know about jobs or careers that could potentially interest you. Learning about both of these areas is what dream discovery is all about. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. – 1 Peter 4:10 You have a God-given gift that you can use to help others. Spend the time to find out what that is for you. Ask God to show you what things He’s put inside you and how you can begin to use them to make a difference. Another part of discovery is to begin looking for others who have done something similar to what you want to do. Maybe you dream of a music career. Seek out others who have careers in music. Find out what education they needed for what they do. Find out what they do on a daily basis and see if it seems like this is something that would be a good fit for your strengths. Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Proverbs 28:26 It’s always worth it to invest the time to discover if your dream is a good fit for your gifts, personality, and strengths. Step Three – Reality Check. After exploring the other two steps above, it’s good to do a little reality check. After you’ve spent some time discovering some of your gifts and talents, does your dream fit within your gifts? Do you believe that you could realistically accomplish your dream? Also, after praying and spending time with God, how do you feel about your dream? Is the timing right for you to pursue your dream? Do you feel like this dream is inspired by God? In answering these questions, choose to put God’s leading ahead of your own excitement if it’s needed. Be open to adjusting your goal or dream if God is pushing you that way. Choose to put God first in the pursuit of your dreams and goals. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 God has given you a dream to do something exciting with your life. He’s gifted you in a unique way to accomplish the things that He has put on your heart. Don’t be afraid to dream big and get involved with your dreams. With God’s help you can accomplish big things! Why doesn’t God take away my suffering?
Trusting God's good plans when everything is going wrong. Even though God continues to warn us of the consequences of choosing evil, we humans aren't very good at listening - and we bear the consequences. Part of those consequences is suffering. We have all suffered because of things people have done to us, and many suffer greatly around the world through war, greed, oppression, and other evil human acts. So, why does God allow this suffering to continue, and does he have a plan to remove evil and suffering forever? God allows suffering to show us that something is wrong Although evil existed at the time God created the world, the consequences of evil such as human death, pain, and suffering did not. By continuing to allow suffering in this world, God shows us every day that something is wrong. Suffering is a painful reminder to us that we have been separated from Him because of sin. God allows suffering to help us grow If you've ever been through a difficult time, you know that sometimes you look back and see how you have grown through the experience. Here are just a few examples of how suffering can sometimes produce good qualities in us. Strength. In the same way, an army captain puts his soldiers through intense training to make them tougher, sometimes God allows us to go through pain so we become stronger and discover how much we can endure with Him. Romans 5 says that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character” and as Christians, the Bible tells us that we will suffer through trials and tribulations but that we will carry on as good soldiers of Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3) Comfort. God may allow us to suffer so we are better able to comfort others in their suffering. Paul writes that we suffer to receive our Father’s comfort, which in turn enables us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Knowing people who have gone through something similar is both consoling and uplifting as they understand us and usually have the words to speak directly to the troubles we are facing. Humility. God allows us to suffer to realize our limitations. The human race is developed and intelligent, made in God’s image, and able to achieve almost anything it sets its mind to. In such circumstances, it is easy to forget not only the Giver of life and talents, but also our own limitations. Our ability to live is dependent on a number of factors - health, love, people, and most importantly God. And sometimes we suffer so we may learn our limitations and our need for something bigger. Ecclesiastes 3:11 states that God set eternity in our hearts, and with this imprint we rebel against the inevitability of death and the limitations imposed by our mortality. God allows suffering to save lost souls God may allow suffering to enable people to look to Him for salvation. I once knew a young man who stood strongly for Jesus and later died from a tragic accident. At his funeral, many of his friends came to pay their respects and, incidentally, heard the Gospel message preached in his unwavering stand for Jesus. At that funeral, people came to know God and subsequently gave their lives to Him. The Bible is full of stories of people who would not have turned to God and experienced His glory in all its fullness had they not experienced tragedy: the leper in Matthew 8 may not have come to Jesus if he had been in perfect health the cripple in John 5 would not have experienced the full majesty of God had he been able to walk Lazarus died so that many of the Jews who saw Jesus raise him to back to life believed (John 11:45) Tragedy sometimes occurs so that the people experiencing the tragedy (or the individuals surrounding them) may be brought to Christ. Jesus died so that we may be reconciled with God. God’s glory can be displayed, sometimes more prominently and painfully, when tragedy occurs. God will eventually remove all pain and suffering When God has brought the days of our world to an end, those who have trusted him have the promise of eternal life without evil or suffering. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore…” Revelations 21:4 God works for the good of those who love Him. He is not the source of evil, and neither does He enjoy seeing us suffer. However, He allows us to suffer for reasons that speak to us and, more importantly, highlight our undeniable need for him. God’s plans are not to harm us but to prosper us. He has promised that though we will face tribulation in this world, but He has overcome the world, and we can bring our cries for peace and our longing for eternity to Him. Spiritual New Year's Resolutions
While it's a good idea to take a look at your spiritual walk throughout the year, January 1st is often a time of renewal for Christian teens. A New Year, a New Start. So, instead of setting regular resolutions like losing weight, getting better grades, etc., why not try to set goals to improve your relationship with God? Here are a few ways you can do just that. Improve Your Prayer Life Simple enough, right? Just get better at praying. A lot of Christian teens make this resolution and soon fail because they take too big a step at first. If you're not used to praying often, jumping into an active prayer life can seem like a daunting task. Maybe start off praying each morning when you get up, or even while you brush your teeth. Start off by giving five minutes to God. Then maybe try adding another five minutes. Soon you'll find that you're going to God more often and for more things. Don't worry about what to talk to Him about, just talk. You'll be amazed by the results. Read Your Bible in a Year (check out a Patch reading plan) Getting into the habit of reading the Word is also a common New Year's resolution for many Christian teens. There are plenty of Bible reading plans out there that guide you through reading your Bible in a year. It just takes discipline to open up the book every night. You may not even want to read the entire Bible, but rather use a year to focus on a specific topic or area of your life that you want God to help you improve. Find a reading plan that works for you. Help Other People God calls on us throughout the Bible to do good works. Whether you adhere to the idea that you need good works to get to heaven, as Catholics do, or not, like most Protestants, helping others is still a part of a Christian walk. Most churches have outreach activities or you can even find local volunteer opportunities through your school. There are so many people who just need a bit of assistance, and helping others is a great way to set a Christian example. Get Involved in Church Most churches have youth groups or Bible studies geared toward Christian teens. If not, why not be the one to get a group together? Start your own Bible study or put together an activity that some of the other Christian teens at church can enjoy. A lot of youth groups meet one day a week, and those meetings are a great way to meet new people who believe and can help you grow in your walk. Become a Better Steward One of the most challenging issues for Christian teens is the idea of stewardship, which is the process of tithing. Most Christian teens don't make a lot of money, so it becomes harder to give. Typical teen activities like shopping and eating out make it difficult to have money left over. However, God calls on all Christians to be good stewards. In fact, money is mentioned far more often in the Bible than other topics like getting along with your parents or sex. Use a Devotional You can add the Patch to your favorites and check in every day for inspiration and encouragement as you grow in your walk with the Lord. Reading your Bible is an essential part of anyone's Christian walk because it keeps your head in God's Word. We all need to be fed regularly. The Patch is here for you to take the concepts in the Bible and apply them to your everyday life. Plant Some Seeds of Faith How many times have you evangelized to friends or family? Make it your goal this year to talk to a certain number of people about your faith. While it would be great if someone converted or "got saved" through your discussions, don't get too caught up on that number. You'd be amazed how many people will end up believers from a discussion you have about what God has done in your life. It just may not happen while you know them. Also, use platforms like Facebook or Twitter profiles to demonstrate your beliefs. Plant many seeds of faith and let them grow. Get to Know Mom and Dad Better One of the most difficult relationships in a Christian teen's life is with his or her parents. You're at a time in your life when you are entering adulthood and want to start making your own decisions, but you will always be your parents' child. Your different viewpoints make for some interesting conflict. Yet, God dictates that we honor our parents, so take some time to get to know Mom and Dad a little better. Do things with them. Share bits of your life with them. Even a small amount of quality time with your parents will go a long way in helping your relationship. Go On a Mission Not all mission trips are to exotic places, but almost all mission trips will change you forever. Between the spiritual preparation before you leave on your trip to the work you will do on the trip itself; God works through you and for you as you see people eager to hear about Christ and as you hear their appreciation for the things you are doing on your trip. If you are serious about a missions trip, here’s a link you can check out: https://www.archmil.org/offices/world-mission/GlobalYouthMissionTripsGYM.htm Bring Someone to Church A simple idea, but it takes a lot of courage to ask a friend to come to church. Faith is something most Christian teens have difficulty discussing with non-Christian friends because it is often something very personal. Yet, many Christians would never have come to Christ without that one friend who asked them to come to church or talk about their beliefs. For every person who might shoot you down, there are two or three other people who will be curious about why your faith is so important to you. Taking them to your youth group services or activities can help show them why. How do I stop wasting time on my digital device?
our digital device could be sending a tsunami of distractions at this very moment. News updates, social media feeds, texts, DMs... They all seem to be on one mission: Distraction. The average teen spends seven hours and twenty-two minutes on their phone. But are we using our phones as tools, or are WE being used as tools? Even though digital addiction wasn't a problem at the time the Bible was written, time management has always been a human problem. Let's use a biblical perspective to help us create healthier time usage habits with our digital devices. Your Digital Habits & Why They Exist A habit is defined as "a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior."2 Examine your digital use habits and why you might engage in those particular habits. Habits don’t just "happen"—there's always a routine that gets established (unconsciously or subconsciously) before a habit is fully formed. Oftentimes, we engage in digital habits that put a temporary band-aid on a gaping emotional or spiritual wound that we cannot or do not want to face. For instance: Uncomfortable Emotions - Do you go on YouTube to watch pointless content that "numbs out" negative emotions or temporarily distracts you from a painful reality? Anxiety - Do you watch TikToks late into the night to temporarily "shut-off" your anxiety and depressive thoughts? Low Self-Worth - Do you turn to porn sites when you feel unlovable, lonely, or useless? No matter how "innocent" our digital habits may seem, if we run to them for comfort rather than to the loving arms of our Heavenly Father, we have some reexamining to do—reexamining our relationship with our digital devices and, more importantly, our relationship with Christ. Here's a simple way to start this process: Observe your habits over a few days and write them down. What days and times do you turn to your devices? What content are you consuming? How long do you spend on different apps, sites, etc. What do you spend the most time on? Examine what feelings you experience before and during those times. Do you feel better or worse before and after spending time on your device? Are there any long-lasting effects, such as insomnia or depressive states? How does spending that time on your device affect your relationship with God and others? Determine what needs you're fulfilling. Are you using your device for comfort? Are you fighting loneliness? Are you seeking validation? Are you posting comments to feel more powerful? Are you trying to escape troubling emotions? Are the habits you have developed helping you or hurting you? Are they healthy ways to fulfill your needs or are they temporary fixes? If you find that your digital device habits are fulfilling needs that can only be fulfilled by God, then take time to meditate on Scripture that defines God's character, like Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus is our greatest comforter, and He is ready and willing bear our burdens. Not only that, but He has greater power to enact change in our lives than any short video has (Colossians 1:16). Ready to change your digital habits? If you've decided you want to change your digital habits, then examine WHY you want to change. Write down your reasons and put them where you can refer to them regularly. They can help inspire you to change, remind you of your goals when you're tempted to revert to old habits, and give you a clear path forward. Here are some examples of why you might want to change your digital habits: "I want to make time for things that bring me joy." "I want to take steps to put God first." "I want to be more productive." If it helps, include your negative observations to recall that these are things you do NOT want in your life anymore. For example: "Scrolling social media leaves me feeling worthless and untalented." "Endlessly watching TikToks is stealing hours of my day away." "Looking at screens before bed makes it hard to fall asleep, and I'm so tired the next day." People are 42% more likely to reach their goals if they write them down.3 Don’t underestimate the power of this step! Maybe you only have one or two reasons why you want to change or maybe you have many—either way, it's well worth it to make a note for future reference. Creating Practical Time Boundaries The Apostle Paul charges believers to be careful in how they walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of their time "because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). The message is clear: those who are wise will use their time well, and those who are unwise will not. We all have days when we are wise and days when we can't seem to make good decisions; that's how life goes sometimes. So, we must be vigilant about using our time to glorify God rather than contribute to the evil in the world. One way to help us choose wisely when it comes to time management is creating time boundaries for ourselves. Here are a few ideas to get started: Time Control: Put time restrictions on your phone usage, limiting how long you spend on certain apps per day or blocking them during certain hours so you can focus on healthier, more joyful or productive things. Set Timers: When you DO choose to spend time on those time-wasting apps, set a timer so that you don't lose track of how long you have played, scrolled, watched, etc. And be sure to STOP when that timer goes off! Access Accountability: Give a parent/guardian, mentor, or trusted friend parental permissions on your devices so that you cannot access certain apps/sites without their permission. If you're unsure what boundaries are best for you, talk to a trusted friend or family member. They can help you brainstorm and strategize what might work best for you personally (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Your boundaries serve two purposes: to guard what is yours and to treat what is yours well. Metaphorically speaking, we can think of all our resources, including our time, as our "house." To successfully guard the resource of our time, we must build "fences" to protect it from unhealthy, time-wasting activities.4 Develop a Plan of Action & Invite Accountability In addition to setting boundaries, developing a plan of action ahead of time helps us combat the temptation to return to unhealthy activities. What steps would be helpful to have in place for you when temptations to waste time arise? Here are a few ideas: If you're tempted to find loopholes for unblocking apps, temporarily turn off your phone or put it out of sight. Prepare to do another activity away from those devices. If you're tempted to ask your "parental control" person to release a certain app that you know will lead to sin, meditate on verses like Matthew 6:13 and James 4:7-8. Then redirect your attention to something healthier that you have chosen ahead of time. If you're tempted to ignore or repeatedly snooze the timers you preset on time-wasting apps, contact your accountability partner. Tell them about your temptations to cross boundaries and ask them to pray for you. Once you have taken your escape route from temptations, celebrate that decision! It can be hard to say no in the face of temptations, but, with God's power, YOU DID IT. Then take moment to ask God to examine your heart and reveal the underlying reasons for these temptations coming up. Take note and be honest with yourself about what needs to happen in the future to protect yourself. Whether your plan of action involves personal accountability between only you and God, or if it also involves the help of a loved one, do not attempt to resist temptation alone. You are not going to be strong enough every single time. Lean on God for strength. Turn to Him in your frustrations. Call your partner in accountability. There's no shame in asking for help. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." —Psalm 28:7 Using Digital Devices Wisely Jesus taught that "things" do not make us spiritually clean or unclean. Rather, it is what comes OUT of us—our words and actions—that prove what’s in our hearts (Matthew 15:17-20). Likewise, it’s not the digital devices that are sinful but rather the ungodly choices we can so easily make with them. Every minute we spend wasting time on our digital devices is a minute we have lost doing literally anything else that could have been a benefit to our lives or the lives of those around us. Our digital devices are tools, and they can be used wisely or unwisely. We could be using our online presence to influence others in ways that bring them closer to the love of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). Maybe share your thoughts from a Christian perspective on your social media feeds or start making videos that talk about God, Jesus, and the Bible. What gifts has God has given you and how can you share those gifts to glorify Him? It's easy to say, "I’ll do it later," but do we even know how much "later" we have left? There's nothing that says we are entitled to or required to waste our time just because we're young either. James 4:14 reminds us that "you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." Make the best use of your time NOW. An excellent way to start is by wisely managing your time on your digital devices. Don’t give in to your fears
Next time you're afraid of taking a bold step for God, remember this. I am not sure about you, but I hate feeling fearful. And yet, I have struggled with the emotion for so long. Before I open my eyes in the morning, fear is there nagging me in my mind, doubting what I am and calling into question what I could be. If fear has ever held you back, you are not alone. Even the most confident people feel and have felt fear, including some heroes from the Bible. Peter was afraid, but Jesus still chose him Jesus' disciple Peter gave into fear several times: When Jesus asked Peter to walk on the water, he fell into the sea because of his fear and lack of trust (Matthew 14:29-31) Peter attempted to stop Jesus dying because he feared what may happen if Jesus left his side (Matthew 16:22) Fearing what may happen to him; Peter even denied Jesus after Jesus was arrested (Luke 22:54-62) In short, Peter like many of us was a man of immense fear and trepidation. However, despite Peter's fear, Jesus says to Peter: "I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) Peter, a fearful man who even denied Jesus because he was scared, was entrusted with building the early Christian church! Peter's life is a lesson for us all because, despite his fear, Jesus chose him to do vital work. Peter was pivotal in building the church and continuing Jesus’ ministry after he ascended to heaven. God will use us, despite our fears God knows that despite our faults and our fears, we all have something awesome to offer and he has a plan to use us for his glory. To God, our fear is a small barrier that he can break down. It doesn't matter how many times he has to break it; he will keep doing it because he loves us passionately. It's perhaps illustrated best in the opening chapter of the book of Joshua. Moses was dead and his former assistant Joshua was charged with his nation’s most significant responsibility. He was to lead his people into battle against their enemies so they could finally enter the Promised Land. Joshua was surely terrified and full of fear, and God understood that. But God didn't condemn him for any fear he might have had. Instead, he was soft, encouraging and full of assurance as he gave Joshua the courage to lead. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9 Like Joshua, we all face our fears. Especially when it comes to trusting God's commands and obeying him with every step of our lives. So next time the voice of fear whispers in your ear, remember you are not alone and God is beside you. Remember that Biblical heroes felt fear too, but that fear didn't stop them doing amazing things. Fear can be worrisome, crippling, and embarrassing but it isn't truthful. Fear wants to hold us back, but it cannot hold us down if we look to God and remember that he who calls us is good, loving, and worthy of our trust. Christians need to be fighters
As a follower of Jesus, you face an opponent that wants to destroy your faith. Want to join the Swiss Army? It’s easy: 1) Be a citizen of Switzerland 2) Be a male (sorry ladies) 3) Be of fighting age That’s it. If you fit the three categories above, not only are you eligible for the army, but you are already in it! Every Swiss guy of the right age is in the army. You go to university or to work as normal. A few weeks every year, you rock up for some army training. Not only do you get one of those cool little knives with a million different tools, but you have a gun and a jar full of bullets that you keep in your house. If another country decided to invade Switzerland, then all the men would instantly leap into action to defend their country. Every man is ready and able to defend. If you’re a Christian, then you’re also part of an army. It doesn’t matter if you’re a guy or a girl or how old you are. If you are a member of the Kingdom of God then you are part of God’s spiritual fighting force. You are called to be ready and able to serve your king at a moment's notice. But the fight we are to fight doesn’t require you to fire a gun. No, the enemy we face requires a whole different sort of warfare. Who we fight against The enemy that God would have us fight is Satan. Jesus defeated Satan on the cross, but Satan’s influence can still be felt. Satan has lost the fight against God, but he won’t go down quietly: He is at work in this world to tear you away from God. He wants you to doubt God’s salvation. He wants you to trust in yourself rather than God. He wants you to reject God as King and abandon his Kingdom. Satan does not want you to be saved, to be in a relationship with God. Get ready to win As a soldier in God’s army, you are called to fight. You are to protect yourself and others from the enemy’s attacks. Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the full armor of God. To know our Bibles. To understand the promises of God. To put our faith in the power of God to save. And we are to be on constant guard. Like the men of Switzerland, we are to be always prepared for an attack. We don’t know when Satan will attack. We don’t know where he will come from or what weapons that he will use. So, we are to be ready for him. If you are a Christian, then you are a soldier in God’s army. Be ready to fight. Not with your fists or with swords or with guns. But instead, be ready with the certainty of God’s salvation. Stand firm, knowing that he loves you and has the power to save you. Get deep into your Bible and spend time in prayer. And when Satan comes knocking, you will be ready for him. That’s what it means to be a soldier in God’s army. Have you joined up yet? “How should Christians act at parties? When everyone else is downing the drinks, how should you act?”
Ok, it’s happening again. Someone is having a party this weekend, and you know that it definitely won’t be Coke on the drinks menu. You’re just dreading this conversation, which you know is going to happen: Friends: “Are you going to come?” You: “Um, ah, I don’t know.” If you're a Christian teen, you need to ask yourself an important question at this point. The question is "How should Christians act at parties?": Here's a few things to think about. Should I go to a party where I know everyone will be getting drunk? And there’s often a second question that goes with it: What about if I’m hoping to evangelize when I’m there? The answer comes in two parts. The first part relates to the alcohol, and there’s a pretty simple answer. If you’re under 18 (UK/AUS/CAN, 21 USA), it’s not legal for you to be drinking. It’s also not legal for someone to be supplying you with alcohol. If you go to a party where there is alcohol, you, or someone at that party will be breaking the law. For me, it’s a no-brainer. Don’t go. However, if you’re over 18 (UK/AUS/CAN, 21 USA), obviously, you’re allowed to drink, and people are allowed to serve you drinks. So, wisdom and sense need to come into play. Use wisdom if you hang around people who are drinking Whatever you decide, you need to be aware of what you’re dealing with. Drunk people do stupid things and get in messes. And I’m not just talking about ending up lying in their own vomit. Alcohol-fueled violence, drink driving, date rape and spiked drinks are risks that you take if you hang around with people who have been drinking. And if everyone is drinking, they will want you to drink too. Are you strong enough or wise enough to remain sober when everyone around you is getting smashed? Romans 12:3 reminds us to not think of ourselves “more highly than we ought, but rather think of ourselves with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given us.” Be wise in this. There’s no rule that says you can’t go to a party. But there’s also no principle that says it’s a great idea to put yourself into a situation that could get way out of control. What about evangelizing at parties? It sounds really spiritual to argue that a good reason for going to a party is so that you can evangelize the people there. Be honest with yourself. Sometimes that might be true, but other times the reason we really want to go is to avoid social death. The three times I’ve had ‘great’ spiritual conversations with drunk people at parties, I’ve come home and realized that the next day, they can’t remember a single word of what they or I have said! A better solution? Does this all sound too negative? Here's a different idea - organize something else yourself. Get together with friends for a BBQ, go to the beach, or whatever it is you like to do. Go on the offensive and organize some parties where people actually have fun and feel good about themselves the next day. Who knows, you might even get to have a chat about why you're so different to everyone else. “Blaming others”
Sometimes it feels like the world is stacked against us. Problem after problem, inconvenience after inconvenience—it all builds up until someone cuts in front of us in line, then...kablewy. Suddenly, everything is this person's fault. They made me mad. They tested my patience. They made me late for the thing. Blaming others is a way of redirecting our negative feelings and/or erasing our responsibility or part in bad circumstances. It's hard to admit our mistakes, isn't it? Putting the blame on someone else may seem like an easy way out, but it is not loving or humble behavior. Part of maturing in our faith is taking responsibility for our own actions and responses—especially when something goes wrong. If blaming others is a regular behavior pattern in our lives, then we need to closely examine our hearts. How to Stop the Blame Game No one likes hearing they're wrong or that they've made a mistake. Strong emotional pain often makes slowing down and examining the situation nearly impossible. Humility can be difficult to practice in those situations. But as Christians, we are to be humble and take ownership of our own wrongdoing (Colossians 3:12; Matthew 5:3, 21-24). Here are some steps for interrupting and redirecting the thought process that leads to blaming others: Steps to Stop Blaming Others: Recognize the problem. Before we even think about who is responsible, we must first acknowledge that there IS a problem and that it needs resolution. Ignoring the problem won't make it go away. Once we accept it, we can better address it, choose appropriate responses, then move on. Check your pride. Pride can blind us to our mistakes. If we've made a mistake, we should humble ourselves and admit it. By acknowledging our fault, we open the door to resolution and healing (James 5:16). Lower your expectations. Sometimes we place unreasonably high standards on ourselves and others—standards that are impossible to live up to. This may make us more sensitive to offenses or perceived wrongs. Instead of passing the blame onto another person (or onto ourselves!) for what "should" have been done, we must get into the mindset of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness (Luke 6:36; Ephesians 2:4-5). Wallowing in the "blame game" solves nothing. Pray. Instead of shooting blame at others, we can choose to pray for everyone involved in the situation. If you truly feel they're wrong, ask God to help them in whatever areas they're struggling with (Matthew 5:44). If you find that you might the one responsible, ask God for forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Either way, ask God for wisdom on how to move forward (James 1:5). Choose humility and gratitude. The Bible tells us that a good way to stop blaming others is by being humble. Humility is defined as "freedom from pride or arrogance." Humility and entitlement cannot coexist. Instead of focusing on what inconvenienced or hurt us, we should focus on being thankful for what we have and what God is teaching us through these circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Focus on the good. Many of us tend to focus on the negative rather than the positive. But God sees potential in every circumstance (Romans 8:28). Even the biggest disappointments and tragedies can glorify Him. Take a moment to reflect on what God is teaching you in moments of frustration, disappointment, and anger. (NOTE: We are NOT talking about toxic positivity here; that's something different and not helpful.) Accept responsibility for the part you played. This is truly the key to resisting the temptation to blame others. When we accept personal responsibility for our own actions rather than blaming others for what we've done, we are choosing humility and Christlikeness (Philippians 2:3; Romans 12:16). Taking responsibility for our own faults is a sign of spiritual growth and reflects Christ (Galatians 5:22-23). What if it really IS their fault? If we have examined the situation and find that another person is truly responsible, then the Bible gives us steps to resolve the conflict (Matthew 18:15-17). First, we need to talk to that person privately, gently and lovingly explaining the offense or mistake. Give them a chance to speak and make efforts to genuinely listen. They may come around, and peace will be reestablished. If they refuse to listen one-on-one, then we can take a friend or two who can mediate the discussion. We ought to maintain respect, mercy, and compassion because we all know how hard it is to be called out and admit our mistakes. If they still refuse to reconcile, then we can advance to authority figures in our lives—such as parents or a pastor at church. If they continue to deny responsibility, then we must let them be and waste no more energy in trying to resolve the issue. We can put the matter completely in God's hands and free ourselves from the responsibility of resolution. Of course, conflicts aren't always resolved easily. Sometimes the other person wants to play the blame game even if you aren't, and there's not much you can do to change their mind. There IS one more option though, and once again, it requires humility from us. Instead of taking offense or trying to make someone admit responsibility, we could extend love and forgiveness—just as Jesus does for us (1 Peter 4:8; Colossians 3:13). Forgiving others, even if they don't "deserve" it, glorifies God's mercy and grace (Luke 6:36; Ephesians 2:4-5). Instead of focusing on how the other person made a mistake, we could focus on their feelings of shame and hurt, seeing things from their perspective. When we shift our goal from finding the "culprit" to helping another in love, we can overlook honest mistakes. Overlooking an offense requires us to extend grace to the person who has offended. Proverbs 19:11 says, "A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense." Truthfully, no one "owes" us anything. Being included, understood, or respected by others was never a promise. Jesus tells us to "turn the other cheek" when wrong is done to us (Matthew 5:38-48; Romans 12:20). This isn't to say we shouldn't be wise with whom we trust, but forgiveness is separate from trust (Matthew 10:16). Ultimately, our responsibility is to hand the conflict over to God and trust Him to resolve it in His wisdom and timing. Above All Else: Humility Regardless of whose "fault" it is or who made the mistake, as followers of Christ, we should always strive for humility, honesty, and lovingkindness in how we treat each other. We shouldn't make ourselves scapegoats for every mistake that happens, nor should we place blame on others when we are clearly in the wrong. Mistakes do not make people "lesser" or less valuable to God. When emotions run high and things are off the ideal path, take a moment to breathe. Ask God for wisdom and help in honestly examining the situation for truth (James 1:5), then respond in a way that honors and glorifies Jesus (Galatians 5:22-23). A boring summer can become an Epic summer!
Summer break is in full swing for most students. With all that free time, it can be easy to get bored really fast. So, here’s some ways to make your summer vacation epically awesome! Do something crazy This doesn’t mean jumping off a bridge or risking your life. It means grab a few of your friends and do something out of the ordinary. Fill up a ton of water balloons with pudding and have a really sticky crazy water balloon fight. Or maybe create a scavenger hunt for your friends. Be creative and find something really fun and different you can do this summer with your friends. Read a Book – This might seem totally lame, but you can use this summer to read some great books. Find a book on leadership or read to learn something new about God. There are tons of books out there that can challenge you to learn and grow. Here’s a few we really like: Learn something new Take your extra time this summer and invest in learning something new. YouTube how to play drums. Ask your grandma to teach you how to sew. Read a self-help book on how to create a website. Find something that you’ve always wanted to be able to do and learn how to do it this summer. Get to know God better Invest sometime this summer into prayer and Bible study. Find a great private place where you can plug your headphones in and worship God to an awesome worship CD. Really invest into getting to know God. Time spent getting to know God is never wasted! Overcome a Fear What’s something you’re afraid of? Can you overcome it this summer? Can you force yourself to talk to someone you don’t know? Can you ride that roller coaster that you’ve been avoiding because it just looks too scary? Find a fear and decide to overcome it this summer. Give Back Don’t make this summer just about you. Find a way to give back. Offer to cut the grass for an older neighbor. Volunteer to help clean at your church. Go on a missions trip this summer. Find a need somewhere and meet it. Give back to those around you. Decide to help others this summer. These are just a few suggestions to making your summer one to remember. If you set your mind to it, you can kick the summer boredom blues and make your summer one that is truly epic! “Stay pure and guard your heart”
Sexual temptation is something we all face at some point in our lives. Winning the battle against sexual temptation isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s hard to stay strong in a world where sexual purity is laughed at. However, with some good strategies in place, you can win the fight against sexual temptation. Strategy One – Watch What You Watch One of the best strategies to stay sexually pure begins with being careful what you watch online and on TV. You can begin to feed sexual desires by spending too much time watching the wrong things online and on TV. Be mindful of what you’re watching and what you spend time thinking about. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Phil 4:8 (NLT) The battle in the physical is often won first in your mind. Choose to think Godly thoughts and watch Godly things online and on TV. It will make your fight against sexual temptation much easier. Strategy Two – Find a mentor Find someone you respect who has already made the journey before you. Perhaps it’s a youth worker, older friend, or sibling. Find someone who has won the battle of sexual temptation and learn everything you can from them. See what strategies worked for them in their own battle against sexual temptation and see if you can apply any to your life. Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. – Proverbs 13:20 Strategy Three – Walk Away If you’re dating someone, and things start getting heated, don’t be afraid to walk away. Stand up, walk to the other side of the room, leave the area, avoid dark places, cars or whatever seems to work for you. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. – 2 Timothy 2:22 Don’t be afraid to put on the brakes and walk away. You’re in control of your body. If you want to stay sexually pure, you’ll have to make the decision to walk away from situations where you’ll be tempted. Strategy Four – Stay Accountable Having a good friend or two to stay accountable with is important. You need someone to help challenge you to stay strong when you’re feeling weak. Battles aren’t fought alone. You need to find someone to help hold you accountable. Strategy Five – Date others committed to avoiding sexual temptation Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? – 2 Cor 6:14 You can’t expect to stay sexually pure and date someone who doesn’t have that same value. It doesn’t work like that. You’ve got to find someone who shares that same value and date them. It will make it so much easier in the long run. Date someone who is as committed to staying sexually pure as you are. Strategy Six – Have a reminder Before we were married, my husband and I had a funny phrase we would say to each other to challenge ourselves to stay sexually pure. We’d tell each other, ‘Keep it clean until June 13.’ Our wedding date was June 13. It sounds a little funny, but it worked as a great reminder for us. Whenever we were feeling weak in that area, we would say this funny catch phrase and it help remind us of our commitment to remain sexually pure. Do something fun to remind yourself of your commitment. Whether it’s a ring, a catch phrase or something else, have a reminder that you can use to remind yourself to stay pure. Strategy Seven – Keep it casual Don’t take your relationship too seriously. Don’t assume that it will end in marriage. Don’t act like you’re already married. You will most likely have several relationships before you get married. Don’t put too much pressure on your relationship. Don’t assume that you will marry this person. Most likely you won’t. Take the pressure off, keep it casual and simply enjoy life. Get to know the person, but don’t jump straight to love and marriage. Keep yourself pure by putting on the brakes a bit and keeping your relationship casual. We put a lot of emphasis on guarding our bodies. We buy shin guards in soccer, mouth guards for football. We wear helmets when riding our bikes. We do everything we can to keep our bodies safe and healthy. We spend tons of money every year for things that keep us safe. However, many times we give very little thought to guarding our heart. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. – Proverbs 4:23 This verse tells us to guard our heart above all else. That means we should make it more important. It should be more important than guarding our body. Guarding your heart means protecting it and not giving it away too easily. A few years ago, I was on a missions trip and I carried a large amount of money and my passport everywhere I went in a secret pouch under my clothes. I always knew where that money was because it was important to me and I was guarding it. When you guard something, you take care of it. You know it’s important and you don’t want anything to happen to it. Many times, in dating relationships we don’t guard our hearts. We give away too much of our heart to someone we don’t know that well, and don’t have any safeguards in place to keep our hearts from being hurt. Your heart is an important part of you, and it’s too valuable to get destroyed by relationships that aren’t right. So here are a few safeguards to put into place in your relationships. Guard your words. – Pay attention to what you say. Don’t promise too much or say things that you aren’t going to carry through on. You can hurt your heart and the heart of others by the words you speak. Choose to speak words of life to others. “Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life.” (NLT) – Proverbs 18:21 Guard your imagination. It’s easy to get carried away in a dating relationship. You might go on three dates and think you’ve found the ‘one’. In your imagination, you’ve named your first three kids and have decided what your house will look like. However, this isn’t healthy. It’s not good to spend lots of time imaging a relationship and where it’s going. You can set yourself up for heartbreak if you don’t guard what you allow yourself to dwell on. Guard who you date. Don’t just date anyone. Make sure their values line up with yours. Make sure they feel like you do about important issues. Don’t just date someone because they like you. Make sure you have common ground. Guard your purity. Don’t give this away. Wait until you’re married. Giving up your purity is a great way for you to experience heartbreak. Make sure you put some safe guards on your heart. Don’t give your heart away too easily to someone. Be sure that you’ve taken the time to get to know them and that you’ve prayed about the relationship. The more effort you put into guarding your heart and making wise decisions in your dating choices, the less heartbreak failed relationships will bring. Are the Boring Things Important Too?
Even the regularity of daily devotions only is a small portion of our days—after all, you probably will spend more time in class than in reading your Bible. But this is just how God designed it. While not diminishing the importance of preaching the gospel, going on mission trips, singing, or reading and prayer, we do diminish the importance of the ordinary things, the mundane things when we fail to realize just how important they are. Let me try to prove this to you. Take a look at one of Paul’s letters: Colossians, for instance. After describing what God has done in reconciling them to Himself, Paul says, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving,” (Col. 2:8). To remain rooted and established, he warns them against being deceived by wise-sounding words and the traditions of men and calls them to follow the first principles of Christ. He goes on to tell them not to let any of their adversaries judge them whether they keep particular holidays (Col. 2:16) Because of what Christ has done in His victory over the principalities and powers. The apostle draws them to a particular lifestyle: one where they are rejecting certain things. He lists fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desires, and covetousness which is idolatry. When am I Tempted Most? Now right there we should ask ourselves a question: when do such things appear? When am I most likely to be tempted to lust, wrongful passions, or covetousness? Is it when I am leading music? Perhaps it’s when in a strange place trying to preach the gospel to someone of a different ethnicity? Or maybe while leading a Bible study or in Bible college? The answer could be yes to all of these, but more likely such temptations enter in during the ordinary times when you are not actively engaged in trying to do something spectacular for God. When are you more likely to let your mind wander: while trying to remember the words to a song in front of the whole church, or while sitting at a desk listening to a boring lecture? When are you more likely to covet: when you are in the middle of a dirt-poor village while walking down the hallway of the school, or while driving home? It’s Not All About Avoiding Sin But it is not all about avoiding sin. Consider what is to come from when we let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, that is when we do our studying of God’s word—reading and thinking about it deeply (Col. 3:16). It is to bubble over in teaching and singing to one another. This sounds like worship. But then Paul goes on to talk about things that are every day, things based on our situation in life. He talks to wives, husbands, children, parents, slaves, and masters. He is addressing people in their ordinary lives based on their situations and stations. In parallel teaching in Titus, Paul says the conduct of slaves was to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things,” (Titus 2:9-10). The Every day, “Boring Stuff” Matters What all of this indicates is that the conduct of our everyday lives matters a great deal. It is so important, that when we have the opportunity to demonstrate goodness in these things it makes the sharing of our faith more effectively. Just consider the letter to Philemon. Paul sends a letter and a runaway slave back to his Christian master. Instead of ordering Philemon to free the slave Onesimus, he appeals to Philemon in love to receive Onesimus the slave back: to receive him not just as a slave, but now as a beloved brother. Such a thing would cause the sharing of his (Philemon’s) faith to be more effective (Phile. 6). The returning of Onesimus the slave strikes us as barbaric and backward, but we must understand what Paul was doing. He was giving Onesimus the chance to glorify God by living properly in the lot that had been given him. Likewise, Paul was giving Philemon the opportunity to be a good master, to show to the entire Roman world—one where the threat of slave revolt was perpetually feared—that Christ had torn down the diving wall between master and slave, allowing them to live in peace. This is not to diminish the goodness of the abolition of slavery or to say slavery is a good thing. What it does argue, and forcibly, is that God wants us to realize that our situations—whether slave or free, old or young, employee or student—give us the opportunity to glorify God in important ways. He is not interested in just having us read our Bibles or pray. God wants our lives and gives us our lives as opportunities to do good. He has imbued every setting with deep spiritual significance. Every Moment is Spiritual So, in returning to school, realize that the mundane does matter. It matters more than all the special occasions because the every-day is every day. The ordinary is more frequent than the extraordinary. Set your mind on this truth. Do you want to do something incredibly spiritual? You do not have to wait for the right moment to tell someone about Jesus; you don’t have to have the right prayer for the right moment. To make every moment spiritual, then what you need to do is realize that every moment is spiritual. Acting wisely, and conducting yourself in the right way no matter how mundane it is makes each moment spiritual and devotional. And if you want to be an encouragement, tell your teachers or parents that if they do their ordinary work to the Lord, then they have done something incredibly important and glorious. Suggested Reading: Mark 12:28-34 I Corinthians 7:17-24 Isaiah 1:10-20 I Samuel 15:22-23 Think about this: Why do you think we so often think of really important “spiritual” things as serving in some form of ministry (like evangelizing, missionary work, leading Bible studies, etc.)? what problems might arise from having this attitude? Why is it important to understand that our everyday situations are filled with spiritual meaning? “Why kindness matters” Have you ever spent time with someone who’s unpleasant to be around because they’re always complaining and finding fault in everything ... even when life seems to be rainbows and butterflies? Sometimes it’s difficult to be around people like that. Now, imagine the kindest person you’ve ever met. What’s the difference? What is it that makes that person so kind? I bet if we were to take a poll, most of us would want to be more like the person who’s kind. The Bible has quite a bit to say about kindness. Let’s explore some key passages below. What does the Bible say about kindness? When we think about being kind, our reflection should begin with God Himself. A beautiful passage that shows this is Titus 3:4-6: But when the kindness of and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Consider also Ephesians 2:7-9, And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. These couple of passages are jam-packed with great things! God's kindness is the cause of: Jesus coming into the world the cleansing of our hearts by the Holy Spirit our eternal hope. Our salvation is not because we’ve done any good works, but it’s because of God’s grace—an expression of God’s kindness. Throughout the Bible we are commanded and exhorted to be kind (Gal 5:22; Eph 4:32; Col 3:12), even to our enemies (Lk 6:35). The reason for that is because God Himself is kind, even to those who are ungrateful and wicked (Lk 6:36). How do I live a kind life? Now that we’ve looked at what the Bible says about being kind, let’s consider some steps to help us as we seek to practice kindness in our lives. Take sometime this week and reflect on God’s kindness in our lives. Reread the passages we looked at above (Tit 3:4-6; Eph 2:7-9; and Lk 6:35-36). Examine your interactions with people this week and ask yourself: in what ways have I been kind to others? In what ways have I been unkind? Ask God’s Spirit to show you areas in your life where you need to improve on being kind to others, and then ask for help to overcome those areas. List out possible ways that you might be kind to others, and then set some goals for your week on who you might reach out to others with kindness in your life. Pray and ask God to show His kindness through you this week. May the Lord be with you this week as you seek to be kind to others! Grab a Bible and check out Romans 8:31-39. Being controlled by other people’s opinions is a problem that every person struggles with to varying degrees. Biblically it is called fear of man. This term is typically more recognizable by such labels as peer pressure, codependency, and insecurity. The insecure person wants to be safe, but a fear of other people holds them back. They are asking questions like, will they hurt me? Will they reject me? Will they like me? As the person becomes more securely established in God’s faith, the Lord will be more significant to them than people. When the Lord’s faith is operative in your heart, you will be primarily influenced and controlled by Him. It is your choice as to who or what will shape and control your thoughts. You are not a victim, though you can feel more victimized than empowered when around certain people. Submitting yourself to God is the only option you have if you want to be mature. Either other people will capture your heart because of your desire for their acceptance, or you will be resting in the truth that God’s opinion of you is so positive, unchanging, and satisfying that He controls your mind. How do you know God’s opinion of you is always positive, always unchanging, and consistently satisfying? It is the gospel. Because of the gospel, any Christian finds assurance by knowing God loves them and will be for them always. Time to Reflect Are you a Christian? How do you know? How is the Lord’s opinion of you managing you? What practical steps do you need to take to find security and rest in the gospel? Why are personal convictions important?
Personal convictions function as our moral compass as we journey through this life. Christians are taught to treat this world not as our own but as strangers passing through it (Psalm 39:12). Often, when visiting a foreign country, exploring a new city, or hiking through a national park for the first time, we find we require tools to keep us from becoming lost and endangered. GPS, maps, celestial markers, and compasses do a great job in all sorts of terrains. Personal convictions function in much the same way in life. When we come to crossroads, our convictions will help us make beneficial, godly choices. Personal convictions work for us in (at least!) 3 important ways: Personal convictions keep us set apart from the ways of the world. Personal convictions help us hold ourselves accountable to God’s standards. Personal convictions provide a witness to others about the benefits and goodness of God’s way. Daniel Stands by His Convictions Daniel was an intelligent, handsome, righteous, young Jewish man when he was taken prisoner by King Nebuchadnezzar and exiled in Babylon (Daniel 1:4). Nebuchadnezzar planned to utilize Jerusalem’s brightest and most talented youth to his advantage. Although these Jews were taken against their will, they were not treated badly. In fact, many of the Jewish exiles would come to assimilate into the Babylonian culture, thus falling away from their faith. The king brought Daniel and some of his friends to live in the palace and offered them the best food and wine from the king’s very own table (Daniel 1:5). Daniel, young but wise beyond his years, understood that to grow accustomed to rich food, wine, and other perks of training in the king’s service might make him become more loyal to the king than to his God. Therefore, “Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods” (Daniel 1:8). Was the food or the wine offered by the king sinful? No! So why did Daniel refrain from eating it? Daniel’s personal conviction served as a way to protect himself from idolatry, keeping himself accountable to God, and set himself apart from his surrounding culture, as his decision proved to be a powerful witness to others—including non-believers looking on. (See Daniel 1 for the full story.) Daniel is Held Accountable to His Faith Each mealtime was a reminder to Daniel that he was a follower of God—not the king. By eating vegetables and drinking water instead of lavish food and drink, Daniel relied on God for nourishment. Allowing himself to indulge in the king’s offerings might have proved to turn Daniel’s heart towards Nebuchadnezzar and an extravagant lifestyle rather than remaining focused on a heart bent towards serving God. Having personal convictions is important to keep us from being swayed by the opinions of others or automatically doing what everyone else does. Someone with no personal convictions will be wishy-washy, indecisive, and/or easily led astray. When the crowd says, “Let’s all eat steak and lobster and wear fine silk robes!” it takes someone with personal convictions to stand up and say, “No, that isn’t good for me.” Daniel and his friends kept themselves and each other accountable by refusing the king’s food. (Having friends with similar personal convictions makes the road that much easier!) Daniel Proves His Convictions are Beneficial The king’s guard was nervous he would pay dearly if the king’s new exiles became weak from malnourishment. So, Daniel asked the guard to test him for ten days on vegetables and water. The guard agreed and, at the end of the ten days, Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than those who ate the king’s food! The guard was able to see for himself that vegetables—plus faith in God—was better nutrition than the richest of foods from the king’s table (Daniel 1:8-16). How do I form personal convictions? Personal convictions formed by biblical principles help us to serve God with our lives. What the Bible promotes, we promote. What the Bible forbids, we refrain from. In this way, the Bible becomes the light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Personal convictions should never be based 100% on our feelings. Feelings may change, but God never does. “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe” (Proverbs 28:26). Everyone has opinions and preferences, but a person with godly conviction does not form their ideas based on selfish desires or for selfish gain. Those with personal convictions make conscious choices to hold themselves to a higher standard. Such people are sure of what they believe, and they are convinced of the things that matter most them as followers of Christ. They are willing to sacrifice temporary pleasure for an everlasting relationship with Jesus. How do I form convictions about topics the Bible doesn't cover? It's true—the Bible does not speak to every possible situation or scenario where we might have to make a choice to go along or stay behind. For example, the Bible does not specifically mention abortion, but we can apply what it does say about murder, God’s hand in creating each human being for a purpose, and the protection of the innocent. Using those biblical principles, we can conclude that abortion goes against the love of God. The more we read and study God’s Word, the easier it becomes for us to know and follow His desires—especially as we practice spiritual discernment with the help of the Holy Spirit. Should every Christian have the same convictions? Just because someone doesn't have the same personal convictions as you doesn't mean that they're wrong or sinning. Personal convictions are just that—personal. That means that you and I could have differing personal convictions about the same topic, yet BOTH of us would be right to follow them in our own lives. Those exiles who traveled with Daniel and his friends, who chose to eat the king’s food, did not sin when they ate it because they did not have a personal conviction against it. Daniel’s personal conviction came from a fear that the rich food would be a temptation for him to turn from God, so he decided not to risk it and refrained. BOTH were right about the food. Paul talks about this in Romans 14, but the key is in verse 5: "Each . . . should be fully convinced in their own mind..." (Romans 14:5). James 4:17 clarifies: "whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." If you have decided that X-activity would cause you to sin, but you do it anyway, you've sinned because you went against your personal conviction. For example, some Christians are personally convicted against drinking alcohol in any amount, while others are OK with drinking alcohol in moderation. Neither is sinning when they follow their personal convictions. We shouldn’t judge others when we have differing personal convictions on areas where the Bible isn't clear. We have enough to do just minding our own convictions! Why should I develop my own personal convictions? Because they help you stand firm in an ever-changing, uncertain world. Your convictions will be a compass that guides you towards your True North—God. Young men and women with a “moral center” stand apart amid the moral chaos surrounding us. Personal convictions keep you on point and accountable to yourself, to others, and to God. They help you endure temptation without compromise. They refine and prove your faith. They are a beacon to the lost looking for a better way to go. Life is hard and doesn’t say “sorry”
Life is hard, and does not apologize for what it gives you. In a word, it’s hard—on everybody. There are no exceptions to this rule, but you do have a choice. You can choose to resent how things are going for you, or you can flip a negative narrative and make a difference in your world. What are you going to do: complain or be a difference-maker? One of the most potent truths you’ll ever learn is that life is not primarily about what it has dealt you but how you respond to the disappointments that come your way. Those two reactions to life’s problems are worlds apart. The fantastic news is that you have the ability and intelligence resident inside of you to live in such a way that you can put God’s name on display regardless of your circumstances. Of course, you could do as I did when I was a teenager. I had no mature mentor and no understanding of this transformative truth. As a 15-year-old angry teen, I was sitting in jail for my awful decisions. It did not have to come to that, but I would not own my responsibility for the choices I had made. All I could do was blame others for my problems. The victim mentality is your worst enemy, and I gave in to that temptation. It was so easy to blame others for what was wrong with me because, quite frankly, some of the people in my life did me wrong. When you mix disappointment with a legitimate complaint, you’re on the doorstep of victimhood. Do not take that next step. The bad things that have happened to you do not have to define you. What if you transcend your troubles by allowing Christ to transform you? The best choice you’ll ever make is to follow Jesus. You will submit to someone or something. Let His name be yours. Join His family. He will be glad to adopt you and give you a new identity. Time to Reflect How do you usually respond to your disappointments? I’m not speaking of isolated episodes but your regular pattern of reacting to challenges. What is one thing you can do to flip a negative narrative in your life? How can you turn a negative into a positive? Should Christians be tolerant?
The answer to this question depends on what you mean by “tolerant”. Traditionally, tolerance meant “to recognize and respect others’ beliefs and practices without sharing them.” In this sense, yes, Christians should be tolerant, or respectful, of other people that believe differently than they do. Unfortunately, this classical definition has been replaced with a new (but problematic) definition that says tolerance equals or implies agreement. Many Christians feel pressured to agree with the ideas of those around them, in the name of tolerance, for fear of being labeled as a “hater” or something else. So, in this sense, no, Christians should not be "tolerant" of, compromise, or agree with beliefs that are wrong or that go against God’s Word or God’s commands. Tolerance Requires Disagreement The idea that tolerance means "agreement" is an incorrect definition. This is because tolerance requires disagreement. For example, do you like it when someone repeatedly clicks a pen or taps it on a desk? Some people aren't bothered by that at all—in fact, they may enjoy the sound. Other people can’t stand that noise and want to plug their ears! If someone were clicking or taping a pen, which group is tolerating the noise? The tolerant group is the one that dislikes the noise or disagrees with allowing it to continue. If you didn’t mind the sound, then you wouldn’t be tolerating it—you would be enjoying it! From this example, we can see that true tolerance requires disagreement, not agreement. What Tolerance is Not Some believe that tolerance means accepting or agreeing with others' behavior or beliefs—even if they are wrong, hurtful, or you are inherently against those behavior or beliefs. But true tolerance is not acceptance or agreement. True tolerance means showing respect and love to others—without accepting sinful behavior or beliefs. If you embrace sin and say that it's OK, that is actually approving of injustice, which is goes against God's Word. God is just and expects us to be just as well (Psalm 33:5; Proverbs 21:15). For example, let’s say that part of your school’s athletics policy is that any player who skips a class is not allowed to play in the next game. If your coach knew that one of the players on your team skipped and he showed “tolerance” by accepting their bad behavior and allowing them to play anyway, would that be fair or just? No, that would unjust and a violation of true tolerance. True tolerance in that situation would mean respecting the student by giving them a warning and reminder rather than humiliating them and also enforcing the rule about having them sit out of the game. That would be an example of showing respect for the student but not accepting their wrongdoing. Unfortunately, when someone’s sin is accepted in the name of “tolerance”, then true tolerance is abused and this results in injustice. Acceptance of Sin Leads to Injustice & Pain The idea that tolerance means accepting or agreeing with others' behaviors or beliefs, even if they are wrong and harmful, is proven false by our natural reaction to injustice. For example, no one would ever say that bullying should be tolerated, or that crimes like murder, rape, or slavery should be tolerated. The injustice of accepting those acts as OK is clear. We recognize that some actions and beliefs are simply wrong and realize that we should seek to correct injustice—not tolerate it, agree with it, or embrace it. Our natural response to injustice shows that we understand true tolerance cannot mean completely accepting ANY action or belief system. 1 Corinthians 13:6 says that love does not rejoice in evil but rejoices with the truth. If you truly love someone, you will lovingly share the truth with them regarding actions or beliefs that are wrong or detrimental (Ephesians 4:15)—even when the truth is unpopular or hurts. Going along with a lie or letting someone believe a lie and using the excuse that you're being “tolerant”, isn’t truly loving that person or wanting what is best for them. We make choices everyday based on what we believe is true. If we make the wrong choice because we have believed a lie, that will result in negative consequences for ourselves and possibly those around us, impacting our earthly life and our relationship with God. That is why we must not simply accept/agree with the sin or wrong ideas of those we love. Rather, we must share God's truth and love so they can walk in the way of life not death (Proverbs 13:14, 14:12, 14:27, Romans 6:23). When you show true tolerance, some may claim that you are being intolerant. They might try to pressure to change your beliefs or convictions or approve of what they are doing. Isn’t it ironic that some may accuse another person of being intolerant, while they are being intolerant of the other's beliefs and see no problem with that? Stay steadfast in the truth while still having compassion for those who question it. Jesus was full of both grace and truth (John 1:14). We can still speak the truth with humility as 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." Love: A Higher Standard than Tolerance Do you know what's better than the world's definition of all-encompassing tolerance? LOVE. Maybe there's someone in your life who really annoys you or gets on your nerves. It might be easy to ignore or put up with them, and that's what some people think of what they use the word “tolerance”. But God calls us to a higher standard than just worldly tolerance—He calls us to the standard of love. In Matthew 5:41, Jesus talks about going the second mile. In one sense, tolerance is like going the first mile with someone, in that you are just ignoring wrong behavior and putting up with them. But Jesus instructs His followers to go the second mile, which is truly loving the person that you disagree with and investing whatever is necessary to meet their needs instead of just begrudgingly putting up with them. Jesus then gives examples of how to love, not just tolerate, those you disagree with or who might be hostile toward you for your beliefs (Matthew 5:44). Jesus’ instructions include loving your enemies, blessing those who curse you, doing good to those who hate you, and praying for those who spitefully use and persecute you. Yes, we should respect those who do not share our beliefs and show love and compassion despite others' choices. At the same time, we should not agree with or embrace something that is clearly a sin, is morally wrong, or goes against God’s Word. Tolerance means truly loving the other person enough to share the truth even when the truth hurts, investing what is necessary to meet their needs, and doing good to those you might not agree with instead of just putting up with them. Showing true tolerance is not always easy, but ask the Lord for wisdom and strength and He will help you show and speak the truth in love. New Year’s Resolutions
While it's a good idea to take a look at your spiritual walk throughout the year, January 1st is often a time of renewal for Christian teens. A New Year, a New Start. So, instead of setting regular resolutions like losing weight, getting better grades, etc., why not try to set goals to improve your relationship with God? Here are 10 ways Christian teens can do just that. Improve Your Prayer Life Simple enough, right? Just get better at praying. A lot of Christian teens make this resolution and soon fail because they take too big a step at first. If you're not used to praying often, jumping into an active prayer life can seem like a daunting task. Maybe start off praying each morning when you get up, or even while you brush your teeth. Start off giving five minutes to God. Then maybe try adding another five minutes. Soon you'll find that you're going to God more often and for more things. Don't worry about what to talk to Him about, just talk. You'll be amazed by the results. Read Your Bible in a Year (check out the Patch reading plan link on this page) Getting into the habit of reading the Word is also a common New Year's resolution for many Christian teens. It just takes discipline to open up the book every night. You may not even want to read the entire Bible, but rather use a year to focus on a specific topic or area of your life that you want God to help you improve. Find a reading plan that works for you. Help Other People God calls on us throughout the Bible to do good works. Whether you adhere to the idea that you need good works to get to heaven, like Catholics do, or not, like most Protestants, helping others is still a part of a Christian walk. Most churches have outreach activities or you can even find local volunteer opportunities through your school. There are so many people who just need a bit of assistance, and helping others is a great way to set a Christian example. Get Involved in Church Most churches have youth groups or Bible studies geared toward Christian teens. If not, why not be the one to get a group together? Start your own Bible study or put together an activity that some of the other Christian teens at church can enjoy. A lot of youth groups meet one day a week, and those meetings are a great way to meet new people who believe and can help you grow in your walk. Become a Better Steward One of the most challenging issues for Christian teens is the idea of stewardship, which is the process of tithing. Most Christian teens don't make a lot of money, so it becomes harder to give. Typical teen activities like shopping and eating out make it difficult to have money left over. However, God calls on all Christians to be good stewards. In fact, money is mentioned far more often in the Bible than other topics like getting along with your parents or sex. Use a Devotional Reading your Bible is an essential part of anyone's Christian walk because it keeps your head in God's Word. Still, using a devotional helps you take the concepts in the Bible and apply them to your everyday life. There are numerous devotionals available for Christian Teens, so you should be able to find one that fits your personality, interests, or your place in your spiritual growth. At the Patch, we are dedicated to helping you grow in your walk with God through our regularly updated features, online counselling, and Facebook group contacts. Plant Some Seeds of Faith How many times have you evangelized to friends or family. Make it your goal this year to talk to a certain number of people about your faith. While it would be great if someone converted or "got saved" through your discussions, don't get too caught up on that number. You'd be amazed how many people will end up believers from a discussion you have about what God has done in your life. It just may not happen while you know them. Also, use platforms like Facebook or Twitter profiles to demonstrate your beliefs. Plant many seeds of faith and let them grow. Get to Know your Folks better One of the most difficult relationships in a Christian teens' life is with his or her parents/guardians. You're at a time in your life when you are entering adulthood and want to start making your own decisions, but you will always be your parents' child. Your different viewpoints make for some interesting conflict. Yet, God dictates that we honor our parents, so take some time to get to know Mom and Dad a little better. Do things with them. Share bits of your life with them. Even a small amount of quality time with your parents will go a long way in helping your relationship. Go On a Mission Not all mission trips are to exotic places, but almost all mission trips will change you forever. Between the spiritual preparation before you leave on your trip to the work you will do on the trip itself; God works through you and for you as you see people eager to hear about Christ and as you hear their appreciation for the things you are doing on your trip. There are mission trips available that we can help you with. Just ask. Bring Someone to Church A simple idea, but it takes a lot of courage to ask a friend to come to church. Faith is something most Christian teens often have difficulty discussing with non-Christian friends because it is often something very personal. Yet, many Christians would never have come to Christ without that one friend who asked them to come to church or talk about their beliefs. For every person who might shoot you down, there are two or three other people who will be curious about why your faith is so important to you. Taking them to your youth group services or activities can help show them why. We created the Patch as a means of online media to challenge, encourage, and share Jesus with people everywhere in our broken, lost, and dying world. Our goal is to lift up the name of Jesus, not simply promote another Christian website. People need Jesus. My resolution for 2023 is to share the good news of Christ through the Patch with at least 20 different people per day. Will you join me? Simply copy and paste the link to every person and invite them to do the same: http://www.youthpatchministries.weebly.com/ “Lookin good” Fashion and appearance reign supreme today. People are being told they are not good looking enough, so why not try botox or plastic surgery like their role models? The Bible tells us that we need to take a different approach to appearance than fitting into society’s idea of beauty. What God Finds Important God doesn't focus on our outward appearance. It is what's on the inside that matters most to Him. The Bible tells us that God's focus is on developing our inner beauty so that it can be reflected in everything we do and what we are. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. A man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror. James 1:23 But Trustworthy People Look Good Do they always? Outward appearance is not the best way to judge how "good" a person is. One example is Ted Bundy. He was a very handsome man who, in the 1970s, murdered woman after woman before he was caught. He was an effective serial killer because he was very charming and good-looking. People like Ted Bundy serve to remind us that what is on the outside does not always match the inside. More importantly, look at Jesus. Here is God's Son come to Earth in as a man. Do people recognize His outward appearance as anything but a man? No. Instead, he was hung on a cross and died. His own people did not look beyond the outer appearance to see His inner beauty and holiness. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but, on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Matthew 23:28 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:20 So, is it Important to Look Good? Unfortunately, we do live in a superficial world where people do judge on appearance. We would all love to say that we are not in the majority and that we all look beyond what's on the outside, but virtually all of us are influenced by appearances. Yet, we need to keep appearance in perspective. The Bible tells us that it is important to present ourselves as nicely as possible, but God does not call us to go to extremes. It is important that we remain aware of why we do the things we do to look good. Ask yourself two questions: Does your focus on your appearance take your eyes off the Lord? Are you more focused on your weight, clothes, or makeup than you are of God? If you answered, "Yes," to either of the questions then you may need to take a closer look at your priorities. The Bible tells us to look closer at our hearts and actions rather than our presentation and appearance. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 “Stay pure” If you were to ask some older Christians what advice they would give younger Christians, inevitably, they would say to keep their lives pure. This answer would come from the experience and heartbreak they went through by wandering away from what they were taught in church. They thought they could have their faith and the allures of the world only to find out the hard truth. The psalmist shows you how to stay pure. Psalm 119:9-10 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your Word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.” Keep the Word of God The psalmist is wondering out loud how a young man can stay pure in the world in which he lives. By reading between the lines, you can tell that he has gone through struggles and is looking for answers. The only solution he has found is by keeping the Word of God. When he guides his life according to the principles of Scripture, he stays on the right path. God’s Word is a light to your path and a lamp to your feet. When you use it correctly, it will show you the way to go. Make a practice of getting into God’s Word every day. Seek After the Lord The psalmist suggests two other things that will keep a person pure. The first is a heart that seeks after the Lord. If your heart isn’t in sync with the Lord, reading the Bible becomes head knowledge. That is where a lot of Christians find themselves. They know a lot about the Bible, but because they have to give their heart to something else, like their job or children, the power of the Word doesn’t affect them. When your heart seeks after the Lord, the Word comes alive, and you want to obey what it says. Thus, it keeps you pure. How to Stay Pure The final suggestion is a prayer not to wander. The psalmist knew the reality of temptation, and he didn’t want his eyes, hands, or feet to wander into sin, so he prayed to God. You can’t keep yourself pure under your strength. You need help from the Almighty God. He needs to give you spiritual blinders for your eyes so that you don’t veer off the path He has for you. Start your day by asking the Lord to keep you from wandering into sin. “Lost your passion?” I can look back on times when I was running full tilt for Jesus. His presence felt real. He occupied my thoughts throughout the day. I saw him using me in amazing ways. He wasn’t just a concept to me; he was real. But there have also been times (more than I’d like to admit) when I’ve had little passion for Jesus. I allowed my love for him to slowly seep through the cracks until I became numb, just going through the motions. I’d run on empty for a while, deluded into attempting life on my own, but then I’d begin to feel it: the heavy weight of having no clear purpose, that pulsing ache of missing God. Why do we lose our passion? Sometimes it’s easy to spot the problem. There’s some blatant sin we’ve let fester and steal our joy. When this happens, most of us know the way back to joy. We take our sin to the cross, tell God about it honestly and ask him for a fresh start. Then we invite his Spirit to enable us to obey in his strength. But sometimes our passion whittles away for more subtle reasons. We’re just plain tired from dealing with a whole list of work and family responsibilities. A conflict is wearing on our mind. There are also all the entertainment and media filling our evenings and gluing us to our phones, the constant assault of reasons to put off reading our Bible and talking with God. How do we rediscover a passion for God? Contrary to much Christian thinking, there are not five steps to follow or ten things to do. It really starts with one thing — inviting the Spirit to enable you to fix your eyes on Jesus (2 Corinthians 3.17-21; Hebrews 12.1-4). Look again at all that Jesus is and all that he has done, is doing, and will do for you. Remind yourself of the depths from which he rescued you, and what it cost him to do so. Become captivated by the beauty of Jesus once again and ask him to reignite the passion that fizzled out. You can start that conversation right now with these simple words: Jesus, I miss you. “Breadcrumbs” “If only I had some breadcrumbs to lead me out of this situation.” In the German folktale, Hansel and Gretel, two children are led into the woods against their will. Hansel drops breadcrumbs along the path so they can find their way back out. He didn’t count on the hungry creatures of the forest gobbling them up, grateful for the labor-free meal. Thus begins their adventure. As they try to solve the situation on their own, they get into danger and trust the wrong person, who as it turns out, only wishes to harm them. I’ve been in those woods. Perhaps you have as well. I’ve been led down paths I didn’t wish to go, forced out of my comfort zone into unknown territory. I’ve been laughed at, ridiculed and laughed at by friends and family for my faith. I’ve gone through depression, acute anxiety and felt that I was alone. These events all pushed me into seasons of discouragement and brokeness. The trees of uncertainty seemed to flood my mind, blocking out the sunshine in my life. I lost all sense of direction. I stumbled along looking for breadcrumbs to tell me which way I needed to go. Like Hansel tells Gretel, so I whispered over and over to myself, “God will not forsake.” Even so, I continued to use my own skills, brains, and cunning to grope like a blind person down the not-so-well-detected path but my fears limited my vision to see beyond the moment. The Gospel of John records: Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. 'Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty’” (John 6:35) Through this proclamation, he provides two profound solutions in uncertain times. There is the saying, “God helps those who help themselves.” Nothing could be further from the truth. First, we are to come to him, not rely on our own ideas and schemes. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus suggests we pray for God the Father to provide our daily bread (Matthew 6:8-13). In other words, we are to rely on him to give us what we need on a daily basis. Pun intended, it goes against our grain to be dependent on others, right? As humans, we tend to be self-reliant. From an early age we begin to pull away from our parents and demand, “I can do it myself.” In our teen years it can grow into outright defiance as we seek our own way. Into adulthood, we strive to make it on our own — proving we have matured and are fully independent. But when trouble hits, are we also left on our own to endure the hardships? There is the saying, “God helps those who help themselves.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, he graces us with intellect, experiences, and skills. But if we are to endure the trials and tribulations of this life, we should seek divine intervention. Which makes more sense — trusting in our limited insight of the “now” and our emotionally skewed version of the past, or relying on the one who is omnipotent and sees the past, present, and future? Will we try to locate our own breadcrumbs, or seek the ones the Bread of Life gives us daily to guide us on the way? We can choose to seek the eternal or wander in the temporal. That leads us to the second point Jesus makes. We must believe. God speaks through the psalmist in Psalm 32:8 saying, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” In good times and bad, no matter what we have to endure, if we believe that God has a purpose and that he hasn’t forsaken us in the dark woods to fend for ourselves, then we will be more grateful for each breadcrumb he drops in our path. In fact, we will begin to search for them and thank him when we locate one. Believing he will lead us and counsel us along the way, we watch for another to land along the trail as we press on. Here is another example from John’s gospel: ”When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life””(John 8:12). Jesus, as the Light of the World shines down on all the pieces along the path to help us detect them with eyes of faith. The defiant, “I can do this myself” tacks on a disclosure, “with God’s help.” The iridescent breadcrumbs he provides are not subject to disappearing like the ones in the folktale. However, we may walk by them if we are not observant. If we are looking everywhere but to him, we may very well miss the way out and wander deeper into the dark. The irony is, God knows about our independent streak. That is why, by his mercy, we are given the choice to seek and find (Matthew 7:7). We must each independently decide to become dependent on God. The defiant, “I can do this myself” tacks on a disclosure, “with God’s help.” Because God believes in us and we believe in him, we now believe we can get through whatever lies ahead — if we choose to do so. And if someone else is lost in the woods as we were, perhaps our breadcrumbs will encourage them to seek God in their path. What we’ve endured can become an encouragement for others, even if we are still in the midst of the forest trudging faithfully to wherever the Lord leads us next. Because we have faith another bread crumb will be provided, just as the manna was given daily to the Hebrews as they wandered in the wilderness, we will have no qualms about sharing with others (Exodus 16:1-31). Perhaps then others will also choose to follow Jesus and allow him to guide them down the path they’re on. Not too crumby of a deal after all, is it? S.I.N.
“The three letters you need to understand” When was the last time you or a friend talked about your sin together? I’m guessing not very often, if at all. Sin is one of the 'Christian-ese' words that gets used a lot. Unfortunately, it’s mostly used when we are talking about other people rather than ourselves … One of the biggest revelations in the Bible is finding out that we are all sinful and that we sin. What is sin? In both the Old and New Testaments, various words are translated as the word 'sin', each with its own different meaning. Here are a few ways the word is used: Sin is failing to hit a target, reach a standard or failing to obey authority. And the standard unreached, the target missed, the path abandoned, the law broken, and the authority defied are, in each case, God’s Sin is turning away from what God has commanded (Exodus 32:8) and towards a forbidden way of our own (Isaiah 53:6) Sin is opposing God, retreating from God, turning your back on God, defying God, and ignoring God So, the essence of sin and being sinful is 'playing God'. That means: Rather than living for God, you live for yourself Rather than pleasing God, you please yourself Rather than worshipping God, you worship yourself or something else that you think is more important Who sinned first? The first sin is recorded in Genesis 3. God had told Adam and Eve, our first parents, not to eat of the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden or they would die. Satan (or the Devil) comes along and tells them: 'No! You will not die,' the serpent said to the woman. 'In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.' (Genesis 3:4) And so … Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So, she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:6) You see, rather than listening to God, Adam and Eve listened to the Devil. Rather than pleasing God and obeying him, they decided they knew better than God. They wanted to be 'god', instead of God. Unfortunately, we still feel the effects of this first sin today. How does sin affect us? In Romans 1:21, Paul says these sobering words on the effect of sin: For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Sin affects everything - our brains, our will and our heart: We don’t think properly, so we are confused about right and wrong We don’t act properly, so we choose death over life We don’t worship properly, so we worship the creation rather than the creator In fact, the Bible is pretty clear; everyone is affected by sin: As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away ...' (Romans 3:10-11,12, NIV) Have you got the point yet? Sin is bad, yet we all do it, and God hates it. The Good News about our sin The Bible brings good news: although we sin, God, through Jesus, has dealt with our sin. At the cross, Jesus willingly took our place, as our substitute, for our sins. The law in the Old Testament declared that the punishment for sin is death (God didn’t lie to Adam). And because we all sin, we will all die and face the consequences of our choices. But God does an awesome thing in Jesus. Listen to this fantastic promise: God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us [that is you and me], so that in him [Jesus] we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV) In a great exchange, Jesus, the one who did not sin, takes our sin and deals with our death and punishment. And, in exchange, we are declared righteous, or not guilty, when it comes to sin – only because of Jesus. So, what we need to do is trust and have faith in Jesus - in that he has dealt with our sin on the cross on our behalf. Why bother praying?
If God knows everything already, then what difference does prayer make? It’s a question often asked about prayer – if God already knows what we’re going to ask (Matt 6:8), if God is sovereignly in control of all things (Eph 1:11), then why pray? Prayer changes those who pray I think of Abraham pleading for the righteous in Sodom (Gen 18:23-33) – would God really destroy the city if there were only 50 righteous people there? What if there weren’t fifty, but only forty? On and on Abraham asks God until eventually, having asked if God would still destroy if only 10 righteous people could be found in it and hearing God’s answer that he would not, then Abraham stops praying. Does that mean that if there are only 9 righteous people God would destroy the city? Does it mean that God would have destroyed the city along with 50 righteous people if Abraham hadn’t prayed? It doesn’t sound like that to me – Abraham finishes praying now that he has realized the depth of the mercy of God. Prayer has changed Abraham; it hasn’t changed God. Prayer affects God's plans In Exodus 32:9-14 – The LORD tells Moses that he will destroy Israel in his anger and start again with Moses’ own descendants. Moses pleads with God, urging God not to destroy his people, and following his prayer, God ‘relented’, he ‘changed his mind’. Prayer has affected God. Prayer lets us talk to our heavenly father In the end, prayer is a mystery – a mystery of God’s providence as he rules and directs his creation (including the thoughts and actions of human beings) according to his will, and as he reacts to and interacts with our thoughts and actions. How God’s sovereignty and our prayer life fits together in a logical system is ultimately beyond us; the secret things belong to God (Deut 29:29). So, what is the purpose of prayer? To talk to our heavenly Father who loves us. God wants to hear our prayers Jesus makes a bold promise in Matthew 7:7-8 ‘Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’ No qualifications, no limiting conditions; just an open invitation to ask, search and knock. Now, God is not a heavenly vending machine that dispenses goodies according to our whim and desire (the parallel passage in Luke 11:13 Jesus is speaking specifically about giving the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks; John 15:7 adds the condition ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you’ then the promise applies, ‘ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you’). Jesus’ point is to underline that God is a loving and generous Father, not a stingy God needing to be convinced that anyone deserves anything good from his hand. For anyone going through times of deep angst, real suffering and periods of doubt, prayer as conversation means we can bring all of our lives into conversation with all of God’s grace. So why pray? So, we can talk to God – all of us, in conversation with him. That’s good news. S.I.N.
“The three letters you need to understand” When was the last time you or a friend talked about your sin together? I’m guessing not very often, if at all. Sin is one of the 'Christian-ese' words that gets used a lot. Unfortunately, it’s mostly used when we are talking about other people rather than ourselves … One of the biggest revelations in the Bible is finding out that we are all sinful and that we sin. What is sin? In both the Old and New Testaments, various words are translated as the word 'sin', each with its own different meaning. Here are a few ways the word is used: Sin is failing to hit a target, reach a standard or failing to obey authority. And the standard unreached, the target missed, the path abandoned, the law broken, and the authority defied are, in each case, God’s Sin is turning away from what God has commanded (Exodus 32:8) and towards a forbidden way of our own (Isaiah 53:6) Sin is opposing God, retreating from God, turning your back on God, defying God, and ignoring God So, the essence of sin and being sinful is 'playing God'. That means: Rather than living for God, you live for yourself Rather than pleasing God, you please yourself Rather than worshipping God, you worship yourself or something else that you think is more important Who sinned first? The first sin is recorded in Genesis 3. God had told Adam and Eve, our first parents, not to eat of the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden or they would die. Satan (or the Devil) comes along and tells them: 'No! You will not die,' the serpent said to the woman. 'In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.' (Genesis 3:4) And so … Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So, she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:6) You see, rather than listening to God, Adam and Eve listened to the Devil. Rather than pleasing God and obeying him, they decided they knew better than God. They wanted to be 'god', instead of God. Unfortunately, we still feel the effects of this first sin today. How does sin affect us? In Romans 1:21, Paul says these sobering words on the effect of sin: For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Sin affects everything - our brains, our will and our heart: We don’t think properly, so we are confused about right and wrong We don’t act properly, so we choose death over life We don’t worship properly, so we worship the creation rather than the creator In fact, the Bible is pretty clear; everyone is affected by sin: As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away ...' (Romans 3:10-11,12, NIV) Have you got the point yet? Sin is bad, yet we all do it, and God hates it. The Good News about our sin The Bible brings good news: although we sin, God, through Jesus, has dealt with our sin. At the cross, Jesus willingly took our place, as our substitute, for our sins. The law in the Old Testament declared that the punishment for sin is death (God didn’t lie to Adam). And because we all sin, we will all die and face the consequences of our choices. But God does an awesome thing in Jesus. Listen to this fantastic promise: God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us [that is you and me], so that in him [Jesus] we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV) In a great exchange, Jesus, the one who did not sin, takes our sin and deals with our death and punishment. And, in exchange, we are declared righteous, or not guilty, when it comes to sin – only because of Jesus. So, what we need to do is trust and have faith in Jesus - in that he has dealt with our sin on the cross on our behalf. “In, but not of”
Be in the world, but not of the world" is a phrase that's heard a lot in Christian subculture. It refers to what Jesus said as recorded by one of His close friends in John 15:19 and John 17:14-16. This concept is also talked about later in the New Testament by the famous convert Paul (see: Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:1). Who rules the world? When the word "world" is used in the New Testament, it's a translation of the Greek word cosmos. (No, we're not getting all astrological on you.) "Cosmos" most often refers to the planet earth and its human inhabitants who live their lives with their backs turned toward God. Satan is the Prince of this "cosmos." Even Jesus called him that in John 12:31 (also John 16:11). The Apostle John mentions that the "whole world is under the control of the evil one" (1 John 5:19). Basically, the system of the world is ruled by Satan. We really don't want to be a part of that, right? Awesomely enough, Jesus says that those who believe in Him are no longer a part of that cosmos—sin has no power over us, and we don't have to be trapped by the evil principles of the world. Even more awesome is that belief in Christ causes us to change. Our hearts will be less interested in the things of the world as we strive to be more like Jesus. So, if we aren't ruled by Satan and sin anymore, that's great, but we still live here! Yeah. Not so great. But Jesus has given us freedom from that evil, remember? We may be physically present ("in the world"), but we don't have to be a part of its values ("of the world"; John 17:14-16). We're set apart from the wickedness of the cosmos as we seek to live a holy, righteous life. Don't start worrying. You DO have a choice! Before you start worrying about measuring up, stop and listen (or read, rather). Believing in Jesus doesn't mean that you will automatically stop sinning. Sorry, but God didn't design humans to be robots with no ability to choose. We can still make our own decisions. But with Christ, we don't have to be a slave to those bad choices—we have the power to choose NOT to do the sinful stuff the world loves. We can choose not to keep the corrupt darkness in our minds that the world wants to shove into our eyes and ears. We have the freedom to choose Jesus now (Romans 12:1-2). It's a daily thing, a commitment, but remember that you have power in Christ (2 Corinthians 12:9)—you're not alone. You are a Representative of Another World That said, we don't want to get all self-righteous, either. We are like Ambassadors for Christ's Kingdom, visiting a world that is not our home, showing people how amazing our real home-world is, and inviting them to come back with us. We're lights of hope to those who are stumbling around in spiritual darkness. How do we shine like hope? Live your life in such a way that those who don't believe can see that there is something you have that is good and wonderful—something different, something they'll be curious about, something they'll want for themselves, too. Don't Hate This World Keep in mind that just because this world is not our home, that doesn't mean we should despise it. We can still enjoy the world, such as the beautiful creation God has given us. However, there is a dangerous darkness here that we must avoid. The world's values are not the things Jesus values. The world's pleasures are not the pleasures of an Ambassador of Christ, tempting as they may be. Personal pleasure is no longer our goal in life, as it once was, but rather the worship of God and living our lives as light in the dark. Make every effort to live, think, and act like an Ambassador for Christ's Kingdom, for you are princes and princesses of that world—not this one. “See yourself as God sees you”
How do you see yourself? Hold up for a sec and think about it. What thoughts have you had about yourself today? So many of us find ourselves basing our self-worth on how others see us and, on our accomplishments, feeling shame from our past, defining our value based on our looks, or setting unrealistic standards for ourselves. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If only we could see ourselves as God sees us! I want to look with you at three thought patterns that can act as roadblocks to thinking — and living — the way God desires. These destructive thought patterns were identified by psychologist Albert Ellis (1973). We will contrast these ideas with what 1 Peter 1 tells us about how we can “prepare our minds for action.” Adjusting our thinking to Scripture is the foundation of being holy in all we do (1 Peter 1:15). 1. I must be loved or approved by virtually every other person in my life. If we are living to make sure that others love us, we give them permission to evaluate us based on what we do — we give people the power to determine our self-worth. When we leave home, many of us have “internalized parents” who are now voices in our head that tell us what we should do, what is important, and how we should do things. Have you ever been in a situation where you have to make a decision and you can hear your parents saying, “That’s not responsible…” or “I told you that would happen?” Many of us are so concerned about being loved that we give the opposite sex permission to evaluate our self-worth. As adolescents, we might sacrifice our own identity to get attention and acceptance, even to the extent of pretending not to be bright or kind because we think the opposite sex won’t be impressed. Or we might deny ourselves food to lose weight to try to fit in with the body images portrayed in magazines. Even as adults, we buy into the beauty myth, thinking that our appearance is our number one asset, and that it will bring us acceptance and approval from a spouse. Eating disorders abound — anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating, to name a few. If we are living to make sure that others love us, we give people the power to determine our self-worth. We may even feel pressure from our church community to measure ourselves according to certain stereotypes — women are supposed to be nurturing, quiet and gentle, raise well-behaved children, and maybe even do crafts. And men should be competent spiritual leaders, provide for and protect their families, be a “manly man,” and be in touch with their sensitive side, too. If we live to please our church community, we may find ourselves negating the interests or gifts that God has given us. Our identity is found in Jesus Christ. It is rooted in his freedom-giving mercy. Our identity is that of a child of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Our spiritual inheritance is one of forgiveness, an intimate relationship with Jesus, and hope of spending all eternity enjoying fellowship with God (see Ephesians 1). These truths assure us of God’s unconditional love, and of the intimacy, security, and hope we find in him. None of this is based on what we do; rather, it is grounded in what God has already accomplished through Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4 2. My past history is an all-important determiner of my present behavior; because something once strongly affected my life, it should definitely continue to do so. You may feel controlled by a secret. You may have had something happen to you that you have revealed to no-one, or perhaps to only a few people. Perhaps you feel shame about certain aspects of the family you grew up in, or maybe you have sinful habits you feel embarrassed about, such as gossip, lust, pornography, or a critical spirit. Maybe you are ashamed of some things you have done in the past. Or maybe you feel ashamed of something that has been done to you. If we don’t deal with issues in our past, they will continue to control us in some way in our present. But they don’t have to. We can deal with past sin, our family histories, as well as past violations to our bodies and minds. It is important to identify whether our feelings in these situations are destructive shame or healthy conviction. Healthy conviction always separates our identity from our behavior. Shame links these two, so wrong behavior taints our image of ourselves. Healthy conviction alerts us to the fact that we have done something that goes against our internalized values. Biblical conviction is a God-given emotion that “red flags” a behavior and tells us it is an act of rebellion against God. It spurs us to confess our sin and experience the love and forgiveness that God has provided for us through Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Biblical conviction is a God-given emotion that “red flags” a behavior and tells us it is an act of rebellion against God. Any feelings of guilt that come after we’ve confessed our sin are not from God, but may be from ourselves or from the evil one. We still have to live with the consequences of our sin, but God does not punish us for our sin. God disciplines us to get us back on track so we can continue to experience God’s love and plan for our lives. Our struggles can bring us closer to God and heighten our faith as we experience his faithfulness in forgiving us and drawing us closer to himself (see Hebrews 12.4-13). In this you greatly rejoice, though for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proven genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:6-7). Know Who You Are 3. I should be thoroughly competent, adequate, and successful in all possible respects in order to consider myself worthwhile. Ten percent of people will struggle with some form of clinical depression in their lifetime. Depression can be biological or situational, and often can be the result of both. However, one of the leading causes of depression is setting your standards so high that you cannot possibly live up to them. You are constantly striving for a standard that is unattainable, but you wear yourself out trying anyway. One of the messages that can play over and over in our minds is that we have to “be perfect.” We often fall into the trap of feeling responsible not just for ourselves, but for the lives of others, whether our co-workers, friends, children, or spouses. We take on the weight of everyone’s world! It is often difficult for us to separate our identity from our behavior. We feel if we don’t measure up, it reflects on who we are as individuals. God’s grace, is a gift. In and through his grace, God heals us and brings us freedom to live a new life. Sometimes grace does not come easily to us. We have to work at changing our thinking. We need to humble ourselves to accept God’s grace and extend grace to ourselves when we don’t measure up, knowing that God already sees us as the perfect reflections of Christ that we will be in eternity (1 John 3:1-3). Concerning this salvation, the prophets who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care. 1 Peter 1:10 Once we extend grace to ourselves, we will be able to extend grace to those around us, both those in the church community and those outside. We need to cease trying to live up to these distorted beliefs and learn to line our thinking up with the way God views us. Once we extend grace to ourselves, we will be able to extend grace to those around us. Instead of being so focused on ourselves and our failures, we will be able to extend a helping hand to those around us and be God’s vessel of grace to those we come into contact with wherever we go. Here are some practical steps to take to gain a true picture of yourself: 1. Ditch the roadblocks Identify which roadblock to seeing yourself as God sees you affects you most. Think of new ways to look at that situation and embrace a new thought pattern that would be more helpful to you. Whenever you recognize that old pattern of thinking or behaving, interrupt it and substitute your new way of thinking and behaving. 2. Align your view of yourself to God’s view God uses various metaphors to describe his love and care for us — a nursing mother, a loving father, a shepherd, etc. Here are some verses to meditate on: Jeremiah 1:5 Matthew 10:28-31 1 Peter 5:7 Do you struggle with low self-esteem? Sometimes, it helps to talk about it. We are here for you at the Patch. YOU ARE NOT ALONE, and we’d love to connect with you. “Get rid of the toxic”
The New Year can bring on all kinds of new goals and resolutions to help better ourselves: eat right, exercise more, simplify, get organized, get out of debt, get better grades, the list goes on and on. There’s something about a fresh calendar year that propels us to make changes, to step up and incorporate better choices. Yet often in life our greatest battles can be with our own selves; the struggle with our flesh, the battle against our own sinful nature, etc. Just because we’re believers doesn’t mean that struggle goes away. In fact, it may be even more difficult to choose what is right, to walk wisely. And you can be assured, the enemy will work hardest against those who are striving to be a light in a dark world. The apostle Paul penned it best when he wrote, “For what I want to do I do not do, and what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15). There are certain attitudes and choices that, over time, can become toxic to our spiritual walk. They’ll lead us down wrong pathways, or cause us to drift away from God. And although we know it to be true, it seems that we just feel helpless to lay down the old nature. It’s all too easy, especially in times of pressure and stress, to pick up what we’re most familiar with. And so, the cycle goes on, and our hearts become hardened. Here’s truth: Our hope is found not in our ability, but in Christ alone. He understands our weaknesses and promises to help us. He came to set us free from the sin that we still struggle with daily. He came to renew us and give us fresh purpose. His Spirit within us will be our guide, our help, at every step along the way. We just have to follow His lead and desire more than anything, to live first for Him. Don’t let old ways hold you back any longer. Press through, live free, and choose what is better. Commitment: do you care about the right things? Being committed to something is hard. As Christians we want to be people who follow through on what we say we will do. In a nutshell, to be committed means to follow through on our promises and stay the course through every peak and valley of our responsibilities in life. Whether it’s family, school, work, sports teams, church, friends, faith or God we have a lot of commitments. It is not easy to commit to anything, especially when we, as modern young people, have to commit to so much. It’s clear that we have a lot of commitments. Some of us probably have even more then what’s mentioned above. But what are the most important commitments we have? What commitments should we pay the most attention to? I think we can Learn something here from the apostle Paul The apostle Paul was a man who wrestled with the issue of commitment. He found that his newfound faith challenged what he was employed to do and what he thought was most important. Paul was a pharisee charged with the responsibility of rounding up Christians and punishing them for their faith. Paul was hard and unwavering in his commitment to eradicating Christians. However, Jesus appeared to him and completely transformed his perspective and the course of his life. You can read the story for yourself in Acts chapter 9 and as you do, notice how Paul’s perspective changed his commitment. Essentially, Paul was committed to something he thought was right in the eyes of man and God, but…he was wrong. This story of Paul on the road to Damascus teaches us that God can change our perspective and our commitments. Paul had a moment where he was forced to consider his perspective, priorities and commitments. We may not have a moment where Jesus speaks to us from heavens. But we need to consider: what are the most important commitments we have? 1 Kings 8:61 “And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” Jesus showed us the perfect example of being committed to God by dying for us on the cross. We can follow his example by reading about his life and applying his teaching to our lives. Getting closer to God Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” If we want to get closer to God, we need to listen to his instruction. If we don’t love God, we won’t be able to love others. If we don’t love others, it’ll be pretty hard to love God. When I think about loving my neighbor as myself, I think of the story of the good Samaritan. I imagine that I could somehow replicate the deeds of the parables main character. In reality, we the opportunity to help a bleeding Israelite on the road doesn’t come along too often. So, we can love our neighbor through small gestures. Love your neighbor as yourself For example, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 implores us to encourage one another and build one another up. Moreover, 1 Peter 3:8-9 teaches us to love one another by being sympathetic and forgiving. Meanwhile, Galatians 6:2 encourages us to fulfil Jesus’ law by listening to each other and helping one another through tough times. Ask yourself, how you can be more loving and kinder to those you meet today. Why not pray about your commitments and their effect on your life and relationship with God? As you pray, take time to reflect and ask yourself: • Which of my commitments helps me serve God and others? • Is this commitment getting in the way of me serving God? • Is this commitment stopping me from serving others? “Better together” You can do a lot on your own. In fact, there are a lot of things that are easier to do by yourself: brushing your teeth, organizing your things just the way you like them, or perfecting your dance moves in the bedroom mirror. But there are some things you just can’t do alone: have a party, play catch, have a secret handshake, or live the abundant life. Check out what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. The Holy Spirit wants to teach us and guide us. He wants to give us gifts that we can use to build up each other and to build up the Kingdom of God. But even when we are filled with the Spirit, none of us can carry out the Great Commission alone. It takes working together and sharing our gifts to accomplish Christ’s mission. Lucky for you, we’ve thought of some great ways to get started. 1. Participate in a Christian community Participating in the life of a local church is by far the best way to connect with other Christians, so if you haven't done that yet, start doing your research! In the meantime, you can make the Patch a regular part of your day, using our resources to help you grow in your walk with the Lord. Join up on our Member’s Lounge page or the Youth Patch Ministries chat group on Facebook. You will connect with a global family of people your age. 2. Do a personal inventory Spend some time with a trusted friend or with a mentor to talk about spiritual gifts. Read 1 Corinthians 12 and pray together, then try to identify the gifts you each have and the gifts you'd like to develop. Doing this with a friend can help you see yourself more clearly. It also gives you the opportunity to encourage one another and get to know each other more. 3. Do something together Gather a few Christian friends together and brainstorm ways you can serve together. Visiting a retirement home, serving in a soup kitchen, or volunteering to do yardwork or babysit for families in your community are all great ways to exercise a variety of spiritual gifts. And all these activities are even more effective and fun if you do them with your friends. What hit home for you in this article? Would you like to discuss anything in particular? Just contact us here at the Patch and we’ll get right back to you. We are here for you!! “Making a difference for God at school”
No matter whether your school year is just beginning - or you're right in the middle of it - it's always a great time to use your life, words and actions to show the love of Jesus to those around you. Here are five ways you can make your school years count: 1. Learn people’s names Our names are the word we long to hear most. It indicates intimacy, friendship, and being known. Learn people’s names and use them as often as possible. Seek out hidden people like maintenance workers. Welcome outcasts, new students, and quiet peers with personal greetings. Use their name in the hallways no less than you would your closest friends. This is a small step to take to show people you care about them, and will help you build relationships for Jesus' sake. 2. Thank your teachers and pray for them Occasionally ask your teachers how their lives are going, and keep track of when they share aspects of their struggles with you. If they are open to it, keep a list of their requests and tell them you're going to pray for them. Follow up in the future to ask about the topic or situation happening in their life. Let’s not forget teachers are real people. They go through struggles, sickness and hurt just like we do, and prayer is powerful! 3. Defend against cruelty with encouragement Fighting cruelty with cruelty is never a good idea. God just won’t have it. Seek out those who are bullied and intentionally build them up. Tell them you care about them – and so does God. Speak the truth loudly and regularly to help counter the negative voices in their lives. Pray for bullies and invite the hurting to join you at lunch, in social activities, or at youth group. 4. Invest fully in whatever you do How do basketball or art club matter? Alone, they don’t. But your participation, treatment of teammates or use of your gifts - these matter a lot! Jim Elliot, a famous missionary murdered by those he went to reach, writes “Wherever you are, be all there.” Don’t spread yourself so thin you cannot be fully present. Giving your all in whatever you do lets people know you are an authentic person who cares about others. 5. Enjoy school, but keep it in perspective Athletic team try-outs, grades, and goals can leave us clothed with competition instead of compassion. Dances, dates, and smiles in the hall can leave us seeking worldly acclaim rather than making our Savior known in this world. Be a light in your school. Yes, enjoy the social activities (in a God honoring way), work hard, and reach goals. But just make sure the things of this world don't become more important to you than the maker of the world. It’s Back to school For some people, going back to school is an anticipated adventure, for others, it’s an unsettling unknown that they don’t want to even think about. Like it or not, the new school year is here. I want to share some thoughts with you on the subject, just to encourage you and give you a bit of focus. 1. You are not alone. As you walk into the doors of your school remember the words of God to you, "'Never will I leave you never will I forsake you.' So, we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'" Hebrews 13:5,6. Don't be afraid of being beat up by bullies or criticized by cliques. Why? The King of kings is with you! The one who gives the bullies breath is holding your hand as you walk the hallways of your school. So, enter your school with a holy, humble confidence that God goes with you (because he does!) 2. "Do your best. Forget the rest." Tony Horton, the physical fitness guru who developed P90X, uses this mantra over and over in his workout routines to encourage his exhausted subjects to just do their best. He tells them to take a break from the exercises if they need to but to make sure they are pushing to do their very best without losing form. The results are amazing! You've probably seen the before and after pictures of those who've completed P90X on their always-on-some-station television informercials. How did they get those results? They did their best! I use this same reminder with my kids (who struggle a little in math.) I constantly remind them to do their very best and to concentrate until the light turns on. To be honest, I can tolerate a lot of things as a dad but I can't tolerate slacking or a lack of effort. If the effort is there then almost any skill or subject can be learned and even mastered through sustained effort. You are the Lord's representative at your school. So do your best and forget the rest. Remember that the ultimate "teacher" you'll give an account to (as will I) is Jesus Christ so, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23,24 Why do your best to get the best grades possible? Because it is the Lord Christ you are serving! 3. You have a mission to accomplish. You are not just at school to go to school. As a Christian you are at school to go on a mission trip. Every teen-filled table in the school cafeteria is a mission field that needs reached with the good news of Jesus. Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all nations…" in Matthew 28:19. This cause, THE Cause, applies to you as you seek to reach your friends and acquaintances with the good news of Jesus. It applies as you seek to make more friends with the hope of introducing them to your best friend, Jesus Christ. If you don't know how to share your faith go here and watch the "Live THE Cause" videos and make sure you get to your closest Dare 2 Share conference (coming to a city near you!) So, as you head back to school, go with these thoughts in mind. Begin to pray with and brainstorm with your Christian friends so that together you can take your school for Jesus Christ. Do your best. Forget the rest! Starve the Beast
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13: 13,14 Let's face it. Every one of us has a beast inside. We can blame the Devil. We can blame the temptations that exist in the world. But the Bible says that the real reason we all sin is because--news flash here—we're sinners. But you say, I've trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior, why do I still struggle with sin? Good question. Here's the answer, you still have your old nature—your flesh—which is desperately evil and loves to sin. The greatest Christian who ever lived, the Apostle Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament and spearheaded the spread of the church throughout the world, admitted that even he struggled. At one point, Paul said, "Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?" (Romans 7:24) (NLT) The good news is that Jesus Christ is the answer. He defeated sin and death at the cross. And he's put His Holy Spirit inside of you to lead you in victory over temptation. Before you knew the Lord, you didn't struggle; you were a slave to sin. So, how do you win that struggle every day? Two keys: Don't feed the beast. In other words, starve those sinful, fleshly desires. Here's a practical way to do that. Don't put yourself in situations that will lead you into temptation. This is a no-brainer. If you suffer with an addiction, don't hang with those who feed that addiction. If you are tempted to compromise your purity, don't sit in a dark backseat with someone of the opposite sex. Watch the entertainment that feeds your brain, shows that glorify sex and drinking and drugs and violence. I'm not a prude here, but the more you feed your flesh, the stronger it will be. Fill up your desires with God. Don't just say no to temptation, say yes to God. The Bible says in Galatians, "Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:18-20 (NLT) Make it a habit to read your Bible daily, to pray daily, to read good Christian books and hang with good Christian’s friends. Listen to music that honors God. (And make the Patch a regular part of your day 😊) Here's the bottom line: if you starve the beast, then it won't have the power to overpower your life. Faith walking
For we walk by faith, and not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5: 7 Faith. A small word with so much meaning. Faith is the stuff, the things hoped for. It is the evidence or proof of things we want but don’t see (check out Hebrews 11). It is believing that the God we serve whom we cannot see exists. It is having confidence that He will keep the promises of His Holy Word. Walking by faith in God is a charge that all believers are challenged with. Every day, we as believers are faced with tests of faith to secure and strengthen our faith in God. As we go through life, many obstacles befall us, and let’s be honest they are not easy to go through or overcome. Many times, when we face challenges of any kind, or when we are given a new assignment from God, we have the tendency to smile and pray our way through it, publicly. We show others our strength in the Lord. We show them how “unshakeable” our faith is in Him. However, what we fail to exhibit to other believers and non-believers of Christ are the struggles that come along with faith. We hide our tears, questions and frustrations from others. We conceal and deny our doubts. We mask our fears behind our beliefs. Why do we do this? Why do we not want others to see where we falter in our walk-in faith? Why do we fail to show others that while we are believers in a very living God, we are still human flesh? Is it pride? Is it a fear of being judged or mis-judged? Is it shame? Is it fear that God will turn His back on us? There may be a number of reasons why we as believers do not live in transparency when it comes to openly sharing our struggles with faith. However, what many of us fail to realize is that struggling in faith isn’t anything new. Imagine being given away at birth, becoming royalty, becoming a murderer, having a speech impediment and being told by God that you are to free His people from bondage. Moses, the man sent by God to free the Israelites from Pharaoh, struggled with His assignment from God. He constantly gave reasons as to why he could not fulfill His assignment. He did not believe he could do what God instructed Him to do. However, he did. Imagine having everything you’ve ever wanted: good health, wealth, family. Then suddenly, everything is gone. Everyone around you encourages you to walk away from God, but you don’t. You remain steadfast and unmovable, but you don’t do it without expressing some frustration. God’s servant Job. While he remained firm in his faith, he questioned God, he openly displayed his emotions of pain and anguish for his suffering. He was not ashamed of expressing his struggle with his losses. These two servants of God had faith in Him, but it was clear that they had moments of difficulty. God is aware of everything we go through before we go through it, and He wants us to be open about our struggles. Here’s why. If we keep our struggles to ourselves, we create a false narrative to believers and non-believers about God. People will believe that our walk with Christ is easy. They will believe that we do not struggle. They will believe that we are always happy. This is not true. Not only this, if we hide our struggles how will that shape our testimony about God’s faithfulness to us? If it appears that Christians do not have challenges in our faith people will become misled in their walk. They will go in blindly thinking that God will instantly solve their problems without struggle. Again, not true. The fact is, that if we don’t struggle in our faith we won’t grow. If we hide our struggles within, we can’t help others see how God works in our lives. Intersecting Faith and Life: Do you hide your struggles in your faith or do you share them? Are you ashamed of the fact that you struggle with your faith? If so, why? There is nothing to be ashamed of. We are all humans, saved by faith through Christ. This means we are God’s children. He loves us, but it does not mean that we will not struggle in our walk with Him. The next time you’re faced with a new assignment, or a new obstacle be open about it. Be open about your fears, doubts, and frustrations. You’d be surprised at who’s going through the same things you’re going through and you can help each other. There is no shame in struggle. There is no shame in struggling in your faith in God. If you weren’t struggling with it, then you probably aren’t walking in faith as you should. Greatness planted in you
Many students desire to do God's will, but struggle because they don't know what God's will is. Well, here are some principles from God's Word that will help you to discern what God's will is for you. God does have great plans for your life! We were created by God, in His image, for a purpose. Just as God set apart from birth Isaiah (Isaiah 49:1), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5) and Paul (Galatians 1:15) for a specific purpose, he also has a specific plan for your life. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declared the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). The Bible says that God's will is “good, pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2). God's will, first and foremost, is that we have a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). God wants us to be Christ's disciples. This means Christians must be committed to following God's will daily, whatever the cost. “If anyone would come to me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The Bible will help us to know God's will. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). God promises to give us wisdom if we just ask Him in prayer, believing that He will give it. Sometimes we need to just ask God to give us wisdom to discern His will. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). In Philippians 4:6, God tells us that we can pray about everything. God has given us the Holy Spirit for guidance. “…when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13a). We should listen to the advice of godly men and women that God has placed in our lives. Many times, the advice of a parent, pastor, youth minister, Sunday School teacher or other mature person is just what we need to hear to help us decide what God wants us to do. “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). The Bible says that there is a peace that comes when we are pleasing God with our lives. When deciding between two alternatives that you have been praying about, sometimes one of the options will give you a greater peace. That option is probably God's will. “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17). We should trust God in faith that He will accomplish His will in our lives. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in your will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). God has given each of us gifts and abilities to use in His service. God always equips us to do what he calls us to do. If you aren't gifted in a certain area, God is probably not calling you to minister in that area. (see Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and Ephesians 4:11-13 for lists of spiritual gifts and a discussion of them.) Remember that God's ultimate purpose for all of us is that He would be glorified (1 Corinthians 10:31) and that the gospel and God's kingdom would be advanced (Genesis 50:20 and Philippians 1:12). Are you a world changer, or is it changing you?
Changing a world is a big job. So big, you might say, “Why bother?” Here’s why. There’s one thing (besides death) that is absolutely certain in life. You will either be a part of changing the world around you – or the world around you will change you. It will slowly but surely seep into the pores of your skin and before you know it, you’ll look like everyone else, you’ll talk like everyone else, you’ll think like everyone else. You will lose sight of the person that God created you to be. You will lose YOU! “Ok, so I don’t want to lose ME. I want to make a difference. Where do I start?” The Bible gives us 4 things we can do… I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) 1. Give all of you to God Remember, God is the one who made you, so he is also the one who knows what he wants you to become. You can’t be all that he wants you to be if you only let him have a piece of you. 2. Say no to what the world tells you to be The world is telling you how to live 24/7 – in what you watch, in what you listen to, in what you read. If you never say NO to the world, it will make you into its image, not God’s. It may not always be easy, but it wasn’t easy for Jesus either. Remember, He gave His life for you. 3. Say yes to what God tells you to be God has given His Holy Spirit to live inside each of his children and he will take the lives of those who say yes to him and make them into the people that he always intended them. But we have to cooperate with Him. While God has all the power in the world, He never forces us to do anything (though he sometimes makes life really uncomfortable to help us change!) 4. Think like God, not the world We do that by learning what God thinks, and He has told us a whole lot about that in the Bible. So, we have to read and study God’s Word and allow ourselves to be taught by those who know His Word better than we do. The Bible also tells us that hanging with the wrong crowd will ALWAYS get us into a whole lot of trouble Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character. – 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV). It doesn’t mean that you can’t be friends with those who don’t know God. It just means that everyone will be influenced by the company they keep. Hanging with those who think like God thinks will help you, while constantly surrounding yourself with those who think like the world can really make it difficult for you to be who God created you to be. Surround yourself with people who think like God thinks. And remember, changing a world is not a “one-person job”, and God never intended for you to tackle it all by yourself. He placed that load squarely on His son’s shoulders. Jesus is the master world-changer and calls all of his brothers and sisters to join him in bringing light into dark places and changing the world for His glory. It’s a team effort. You can make a difference. You, along with millions of other young people who are committed to THE world-changer, Jesus, can truly change the world. If not you, who will? You must choose. Every day of your life, all you have to do is say YES to Jesus and NO to the world. Thousands of young people just like you from all around the world will be gathering in person, online, and in their own communities for Jesus Global Youth Day, August 8-10, 2019 to be held in Manila, Philippines. It will be massive. To find out more, visit Jesus Global Youth Day. Ron Luce has dedicated his life to reaching, training and mobilizing young people for Christ. In 2016 he launched Generation Next to assist global leaders in engaging youth for the cause of Christ. Are you all in?
Do you ever get that nagging feeling something is missing in your Christian life? When we stop to listen to our hearts, there’s a cry for more that’s hard to ignore. More joy. More meaning. More purpose. More love. We want more out of our relationship with God. Maybe you’ve gone searching for more already — attended retreats, gone to camp, read books, tried spiritual disciplines, even tried to read the Bible cover to cover — but still came up empty handed. There’s nothing wrong with these activities, but the greatest cause of dissatisfaction among Christians is neglecting Jesus’ call on their lives. To really apply what was experienced at those retreats and camps, allowing the Word of God you read become a heart and soul reality you practice and live out daily. Jesus didn’t make it complicated. There are four things we need to remember: Jesus came to give us abundant life. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full John 10:10b Abundant life will cost us everything. Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me Matthew 6:24 Abundant life happens when we prioritize Jesus’ mission. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you Matthew 28:19-20 Abundant life is only possible through Jesus' empowering presence. Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age Matthew 28:21 So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves Galatians 5:16 We have a choice to make. We can remain discontent, relying on our own strength and holding on to terms and conditions in our relationship with Jesus. Or we can make an unqualified, total commitment to obey Jesus in the Spirit’s power anytime, anywhere, at any cost, to do anything. With Jesus at the center, we’ll discover a joy we’ve never known. Our lives will be full of purpose and meaning as we live out our unique part in fulfilling Jesus’ mission to reach others. Are you all in? Would you make that commitment today by praying the prayer below? Dear Jesus, I want you in the center of my life and commit to serve and obey you in the Spirit's power. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything. Amen. Victory in the combat zone
Understand that Life is War! It is not a playground! It is a Battleground Understand that you will get knocked down from time to time. Do not stay down get back up! Don’t give up for God has given us the power to overcome! We already have the victory through Christ. Speak it & Declare it! Believe it as the truth. Faith speaks to the doubting thoughts when they come… God shared with me this revelation and I believe it is the key to winning the daily battle against the flesh, provided we are led by the Holy Spirit… Whatever you strengthen most will be in control. Feed the Flesh and it grows stronger… The same is true for our Spirit…Feed the Spirit with the Word of God. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, First Peter 2 verse 2 This passage suggests that we need the Word constantly to grow…It is more than that though. So much more! Why is the Word soooo important? Well let’s investigate that…. Let’s look at our best example… Jesus…Matthew 4:2-4 After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’4 Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”[b]’ Notice when the tempter came at him… When he was hungry and also weariness because this accompanies hunger as well as weakness.… I want you to pay close attention here.. There is definitely more here than meets the eye. If Jesus was hungry, he was probably also tired… The tempter came to with a temptation to make Jesus use His power selfishly…Notice that Satan makes the wrong thing look desirable. The tempter took a definite no no, and wrapped it up in a desirable package… Feed yourself… He also came when he thought Jesus would not be at his best. Our enemy and his minions constantly look for opportunities to gain access into our lives, to destroy us and everything we love. They look for times when we are at our weakest. What did Jesus do? Did he give in to his hunger and do what Satan said? No! Jesus resisted the action that was wrong for him to take…Notice he doesn’t just say no. Why didn’t Jesus just say no?It is my belief and experience that just saying no to the devil doesn’t make him go away. Guys, lets really take notice of this. Jesus made Satan go away. So, how did he do that? There are 3 things that He did 1 He had submitted Himself to God. He gave himself completely to the fulfillment of the Will of His Father in Heaven. You see even from a young age Jesus was about His Heavenly Father’s business: He built a foundation of Obedience to God. In order to understand how He built that foundation, It is important to understand that Jesus was a Jew. From an early age the Jews were taught to learn Scripture “by heart.” That is, they memorized Scripture.” Memorizing Scripture is super valuable in combating sin. Psalm 119 verse 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. So, we can also see that Jesus spent time in with the scriptures from a young age and The Word was His delight. Luke 2:46-47 &49 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 49 Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house? I would also like to highlight Luke 2:40 & 52 NIV40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Pay attention here ok ? you don’t grow in Wisdom by not putting in the time. Proverbs 4:7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. To me when I read “Get Wisdom” I feel as though you have to make a choice that you want to obtain it and follow through with your choice through action. I also see that it will cost you. You will have to give some things up. Proverbs tells us that the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. “When the Bible refers to the “fear of the Lord,” it means having a deep respect, reverence and awe for God’s power and authority. Rather than causing someone to be afraid of God, a proper “fear of the Lord” leads one to love Him Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. It is repeated in Psalms 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. 2 He did not do what he was being tempted to do. 3 He countered Satan’s words with scripture.“It is written..” Almost as if the Word was his sword to fight with. (Hint Hint) AKA The Sword of the Spirit. Notice what it doesn’t say… That Jesus took out a scroll or that Jesus opened a bible. He didn’t have those things…So how did he know what was written? I mean He was the Literal Word that became Flesh John 1:14. Consider that even Jesus spent time with the scriptures… Please go back and reread under #1 If you do not understand… check out this pattern in James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Use scripture to help direct your resistance and actions. Even Jesus spent time learning the scriptures… From a young boy even… Why then do we think that we don’t have to? Why do we not read our bible? Are we better than Jesus? Certainly not! This means that you and I should spend time treasuring the Word. Meditating on it and doing all we can to make sure it gets in our heart and mind. Memorizing scripture even… Don’t take my word for it though! Read Psalm 1:1-3 What does the Holy Spirit say to you while you read Psalm 1:1-3? I would also like to say that the Reading the Word and Memorizing Scripture is critical because: It gets His word in and the world out! As it is written: Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. The two ways we do that are through the Word of God and Prayer. Both of these things are needed not one without the other. You need both to be successful. Prayer helps to bring us in line with God’s Will and so much more. Its possibilities are limitless because the one we pray to is limitless. In fact, I want you to know that there are prayers that God will be answering even after we die, that we prayed on earth because He is not limited by time. Don’t ever stop praying. If you don’t pray, you don’t have a leg to stand on. After all, the enemy is going to come at you when you least expect it and when you don’t have a bible on hand… or access to scripture on hand. Let’s look at some more encounters with Jesus and the enemy… Matthew 4:5-6 Then the devil took Him into the holy city [Jerusalem] and placed Him on the pinnacle (highest point) of the temple. 6 And he said [mockingly] to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,‘ He will command His angels concerning You [to serve, care for, protect and watch over You]’; and‘ They will lift you up on their hands, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone. Ok wait a minute… The devil took him to a place… Does that mean that the enemy could take us to a place? Ever found yourself at a place you know you shouldn’t be? It wasn’t an accident. Satan mocks Jesus saying “If you are the son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: Notice here the enemy has modified his attack… It is rather funny. Satan tried to use the Word against the Word in the flesh and of course he failed…Satan quoted psalm 91:11-12 While Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16. I noticed that Jesus did not say what Satan quoted was wrong or twisted. So, I looked it up and it is as the enemy quoted… Pay attention here because this tells me that Satan and all the fallen angels know the Word backwards and forwards. That means better than you and I. Satan’s intent here was to deceive Jesus into breaking one of God’s commandments by testing God… Jesus again resisted the devil by not doing what he wanted and by responding with scripture. Deuteronomy 6:16 You shall not put the Lord your God to the test. Let’s move on to Matthew 4 verses 8-11 Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” 11 Then the devil left Him; and angels came and ministered to Him [bringing Him food and serving Him] See here how the enemy tempts you by appealing to the flesh. The flesh nature is in opposition to God’s nature. Jesus told Satan in this passage to go away! Then He responded with scripture. Let’s reflect… In every situation the Word was used against the temptation. So, when we are tempted brothers and sisters, we need to decide to resist and fight back with the Word of God… It is written…. We need to know what is written. Know who’s you are and who you are… Joshua 24:1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Isaiah 43:1 Always Remember that Life Is WAR! The God who made the Universe wants to be your filling today and everyday! He doesn’t need us, but I am so glad He wants us… This is whose you are: Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. This needs to be consistent habit… Saying no to the flesh and saying Yes to God. Another good one to fight with… If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:17 Luke 6:46 Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? How to be prepared… Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. So, lets fill ourselves up with Jesus. See here that Jesus says to watch. What are you doing when you are watching? From a military perspective you are being vigilant and being alert watching for the enemy and expecting him to attack. He also says to pray as if they need to be hand in hand. Or, as if you cannot have one without the other. In my opinion you cannot have one without the other and be successful. For even if you know how the enemy will attack, if you don’t pray you will have no defense or offence. Yes it is that important. When we pray it sharpens spiritual senses and God helps us discern and understand things that we wouldn’t ever be able to without Him. What we need to understand is this… You cannot fight the unseen with carnal weapons, and you cannot fight in your own power. It is only through God’s power that you can fight. However, there are still things you can do. Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. For instance: There is great wisdom in this old Sunday school song. Be careful oh my eyes what you see… Be careful oh my ears what you hear… Be careful oh my thoughts what you think… Be careful oh my hands what you do… Be careful oh my feet where you go… Be careful oh my heart what you believe. The chorus goes “ For the Father up above is looking down in love…” God has given us His armor to fight with. Identify Your Real Enemy: – The devil and his fallen angels (demons) yes they are real, understand that your enemy is not people. People are misguided deceived and used by Satan to further his agenda… Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Let’s get some things straight here…In the armor notice that standing is the only option. Falling or giving up is not an option. We are to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. I want you to know that This is impossible without that communication with God in prayer and a solid foundation in the Word of God. Prayer is communication with God… it is talking to and listening to God… You need to have a relationship with God. What happens to a relationship with no communication? It dies… How can you have faith in someone that you do not know personally? Having done everything to stand. This means you have a war effort. You are doing everything you can to stand. You are praying and you are reading the Word every day. You are denying the flesh… What are you doing to fight? What are you doing to stand? Where is your war effort? Or, are you just giving in when the enemy comes to tempt you? For instance, let’s say you as a Christian were struggling with lust and pornography. Part of your war effort is denying the flesh. Block those sites… Don’t allow yourself to access them… You bounce your eyes when you see something inappropriate. You stay away from inappropriate magazines and any movies/ shows that have sex in them stay away from all pornographic websites… Instead, you can look for movies and shows that have godly values and morals and aim at strengthening you Spiritually. Whenever you see these sexually explicit things as a man it just feeds your sex drive and it can become bigger than you can handle very quickly… You should be praying and asking for God’s strength to help you fight. You won’t be successful on your own. Memorizing scripture to fight against the enemy when he comes to tempt you, with verses that apply to your situation. Monitoring your thoughts words and actions. Examples; Matthew 5:28 He that looks at a woman to lust after has already committed adultery with her already in his heart. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. Perhaps your biggest struggle is idolatry in video games…? Part of your war effort should be limiting yourself and your access to them. Instead, fill your time with the Word and prayer… Now let’s get deeper into the armor… Ephesians 6:13-18 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Notice it starts off with the Belt of Truth. Truth means honesty and that you walk with integrity. You are honest in all your dealings with all people. You do not tell lies as God hates a lying tongue. No such thing as a white lie or a good lie. A lie is still a lie…. It is the second thing that God hates. You need to start with the truth…. If you say you will do something do it. Let your yes be yes and your no be no… Then having the breastplate of righteousness in place. Not your righteousness but Christ’s It goes on your front as a breast plate. We are not to be looking back at what we gave up or lost. While it is good to remember where God brought us from and what He brought us from, It is never good to live in the past. If we stay dwelling on the past, we stop our forward progress. However, it is important to look back so we can remember where God brought us from because it cultivates gratitude. Hopefully, it also sheds light for us into His love. That even when we were at our worst and His enemy, He still loved us so much that He gave his only son for us… However, we do not want to ever go back there, to the things that enslaved us. Rather we want to keep moving forward… The next thing is having your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. I believe this part is 2 fold. 1Be ready to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ Always… 2God has called us to live in peace with everyone. It is written in Matthew 5:9 Blessed [Spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. The Shield of Faith… with this we can extinguish all the fiery darts of the evil one. Your faith which is grown by hearing and hearing of the Word of God…Brothers and sisters, The Helmet of Salvation… It goes over the Head and covers the eyes and the mind and the mouth and the ears… After you have accepted Christ. The Helmet of Salvation is the knowledge of knowing you belong to God and not yourself Isaiah 43:1 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Knowing who you are Galatians 4:5-7 and whose you are. Then letting that dictate what you allow yourself to see, hear, say and yes even the thoughts you allow yourself to entertain. See 2 Corinthians 10:5 Most people think that you cannot control your thoughts but that is not true. Again… See 2 Corinthians 10:5 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. End When I get one of those insane thoughts, I picture a police officer and I quote this verse and say I arrest that thought and force it into submission to Jesus Christ and let it be cast out. Then, I picture a police officer slamming this thought up against a brick wall and slapping cuffs on, and escorting it out of my mind. Then the thought goes away. Your salvation is your helmet and the filter through which all other things must flow. What is the helmet of salvation to you? Who are you? Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Who are you? You are a child of God. If…. You have 1 acknowledged that you have sinned.. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 2 Accepted that Jesus died on the cross for you to make atonement for all your sins. Ask Him (Jesus) to come into your life and forgive you of all your sins and repent of them. To repent means to turn away from them and do the opposite Thereby Accepting The free gift of God mentioned in Romans 6:23… Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 Confess that is to say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God the Father has raised Him from the dead. Romans 10:9-10 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 4 Understand that this is the beginning of the Your Journey and that you must Seek His Kingdom and His righteousness first. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind through the Reading, hearing and understanding of the Word of God. 5 If you fall do not stay down! Get back up!5 You who are saved must abide in Jesus Read John chapter 15 Ephesians 4:29 KJV How we are to speak…Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Also Knowing what it means… To be a child of God…. That you are indwelt by The Holy Spirit which comes from Jesus. He lives in you, Jesus lives in you as long as you remain in Him see John chapter 15… Also that you have been given Authority as a child of God Luke 10:19 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Furthermore, Mark 16:17-18 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Because Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world… 1 John 4:44 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. The breastplate of righteousness. This is not our righteousness but Christ’s. For our best acts of righteousness are as filthy rags to God. It goes on the front for we are not to go back to the life we left behind. As it is written in Luke 9:62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” The Sword of the Spirit is knowing the Word of God, but not just that… Knowing how and when to apply it to which situations Like Jesus did…. This comes through repeated battles and through prayer, spending Time with God in His Word the Bible… When you know how to correctly apply the Word of God this is Wisdom of God. It comes from Him… Ask and ye shall receive! The Shield of Faith What is Faith though? Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. 2 For by this [kind of] faith the [a]men of old gained [divine] approval. 3 By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. I have gained a new perspective on Faith and prayer… I had been stuck on just asking for things… However Jesus commands us not to use vain repetitions as the heathens do. They think they will be heard for their much speaking. Matthew 6:7 KJV 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Vain Repetitions these are empty and faithless repetitions. It is not that repetitive prayers are bad. It is about the heart and faith of the person that says them. It is not about people thinking you’re spiritual. It is about what you actually believe. More on that here: God desires you to show and verbalize your faith… When you thank God before you get the answer that is faith… In my Christian Walk I have received no answer. To this, I say remember that Faith is not If I get it. Faith is If He doesn’t ever give it to me, He is still God. Who is worthy of all praise. He is God who still is working out all things for my good as long as I love Him Romans 8:28. Plus in my experience, I have found that perhaps I couldn’t see it at the time, but God has a reason for everything He does. It has always worked out that His Plan was and always is better than mine. Therefore, I will still trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5-6) Remember His Ways, Thoughts and Purposes are forever higher than ours. So let Him lead you Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts. Mark Chapter 11:24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer {in accordance with God’s will}, believe {with confident trust} that you have received them, and they will be given to you. God hears you the first time you ask. I will prove this to you by the Word of God! Daniel 9:23: At the beginning of your supplications, the command {to give you an answer} was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly regarded and greatly beloved. Therefore consider the message and begin to understand the {meaning of the} vision. Daniel 10:12, Then he said to me “Do not be afraid Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. When you pray, please understand that God can see what is in your heart. If you let iniquity reside in your heart, He will not hear you. Psalm 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; We must come before God with a right heart. When we come before God, we must first confess anything in our heart that should not be there. So if there is any unforgiveness, bitterness, selfishness, pride, anger, irritation, resentment or any other sin in our hearts, our prayers will not be answered. Because the wages of sin are death, when sin matures it will give birth to death and destruction. Also, remember how important it is to forgive and let go. You must understand that God sees everything at all times. Even before we come before the throne of Grace, He can see the depth of our heart and anything that is there. He is a Holy God and cannot behold iniquity, so it makes sense that if you hide sin in your heart, He will not hear your prayers. Isaiah 59:2 KJV But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. What is iniquity? But willful disobedience to God. Examine yourselves well brothers and sisters before you pray… Remember that God takes reconciliation seriously. So much so that it is written: Matthew 5:23-24 NIV 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. It is also written: Matthew 6:14 & 15 NIV14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Link to to an article what it means to study to show thyself approval. God wants us to show Him that we love Him by obeying His commands: 1 Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart mind body and soul. 2 Love your neighbor as yourself. 2 Timothy 2:19 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness. ”Whose are you? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. What was the price you ask? The precious blood of Jesus Christ which was shed for you when he died on the cross to atone for the sin of all mankind. Ok, we have the armor how do we put it on everyday? Well I am so glad you asked and truthfully, I don’t think that this is covered enough. It is by your decisions and actions and words… Remember that How do I identify my Spiritual Gift?
Ok, you have given your life to Christ and want to serve God with all your heart using the Spiritual Gift(s) He has given you. There is no magic formula or exact test that can tell us exactly what our spiritual gifts are. The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts as He determines (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). A common problem for Christians is the temptation to get so caught up in our spiritual gift that we only seek to serve God in the area in which we feel we have been gifted. That is not how the spiritual gifts work. God calls us to obediently serve Him in all things. He will equip us with whatever gift or gifts we need to accomplish the task He has called us to. Identifying our spiritual giftedness can be accomplished in various ways. Spiritual gift tests or inventories, while not to be fully relied upon, can definitely help us understand where our gifting might be (see below). Confirmation from others also gives light to our spiritual giftedness. Other people who see us serving the Lord can often identify a spiritual gift in us that we might take for granted or not recognize. Prayer is also important. The one person who knows exactly how we are spiritually gifted is the gift-giver Himself—the Holy Spirit. We can ask God to show us how we are gifted in order to better use our spiritual gifts for His glory. Yes, God calls some to be teachers and gives them the gift of teaching. God calls some to be servants and blesses them with the gift of helps. However, specifically knowing our spiritual gift does not excuse us from serving God in areas outside our gifting. Is it beneficial to know what spiritual gift(s) God has given us? Of course, it is. Is it wrong to focus so much on spiritual gifts that we miss other opportunities to serve God? Yes. If we are dedicated to being used by God, He will equip us with the spiritual gifts we need. Here’s a link for a free Spiritual Gifts Test: https://www.biblesprout.com/articles/god/holy-spirit/spiritual-gifts-test/#spiritual-gifts-test Sometimes you doubt your faith. Sometimes just finding five minutes for God seems like just another chore. God knows that sometimes Christians struggle in their faith. Sometimes devotions do not really seem like devotion but work. Sometimes Christians wonder if God is even there. Here are some ways to keep your faith strong even when you feel a bit weak.
Remember that God is Always There Even in the driest times, when you just don’t feel God’s presence, you need to remember that God is always there. He does not forget you. True faith is developed even when you don’t feel God. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do a Daily Devotional (the Patch is a great place to start!) Developing long-term habits is important to maintaining your faith. A daily devotional will keep you in the Word and enhance your prayer life. It will also keep you closer to God even when you struggle in your faith. Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Get Involved Many people become apathetic over time because they do not feel connected to a church body. Some churches do not offer ways to connect. Yet, there are a lot of activities on campuses and in the community. You can even look into other ministries. The more connected you are to the body of Christ, the more likely it is that you will maintain your faith. Romans 12:5 so, in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Talk to Someone If you feel separated from God or you find yourself backsliding, talk to someone. Try your old youth leader, a pastor, or even your parents. Talk through your issues and pray with them about your struggle. They can offer insight into how they have worked through their own struggles. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God When life seems pointless
Why does life feel so pointless? I didn't ask to be born. Why did God create us just to let us suffer? I feel your questions on a spiritual level, friend. These are the types of questions I've struggled to answer myself for years. And I'm excited that I can share with you some of the hope that I discovered in those searches. What is the point of humanity? How and why were humans made in the first place? In the beginning, God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Genesis 1:26-27). The chapter concludes with how God "saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). So, using these verses from Genesis 1, we find that God made people to reflect His traits ("Let us make man in our image"), and that our creation was objectively Good. We can go further into the philosophical rabbit hole of what defines good or evil, but for simplicity, we'll use the baseline that God is the definition of Moral Good, and anything that goes against God's wishes or design is Evil. Throughout Genesis 1, we see that ALL of God's creation is "good," and that God values art and creativity because He crafted the world as beautiful, unique, and vibrant. Because we were made in His image, we are a reflection of God's desire to create artistically and to bring about order wherever we are. God created us because He wanted to, because we give Him joy. By pursuing the desires He placed in us, we bring Him glory. Our existence isn't pointless, as we were created to reflect the Being (God) who defines what it means to "mean something" to begin with. Even if we don't UNDERSTAND why we're here, life is not pointless—even when it feels like it. That's a huge philosophical info-dump, I know. But if you're asking this question, I'm assuming you don't want the trite answer of "We exist to serve God." Because 1. That is extremely simplistic, and 2. That answer negates the nuances and "muchness" of our existence as beings of free will. Why is the world full of sadness and suffering? This is a big question too, and one that has been asked through the ages. The answer requires us to first address what sin is, and why it's in our world. Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve used their free will to disobey God (Genesis 3). When that happened, sin acted as a virus that corrupted the "base code" of all the goodness God created. Sin didn't erase goodness, but it broke, twisted, and tarnished goodness. It's like you have a brand-new phone that is gorgeous and perfect and it doesn't lag—then you drop it in the toilet. From that point on, your phone glitches and works poorly. (And if you're unlucky, it smells too.) The phone didn't BECOME a piece of trash or poop, but it doesn't work as well as it was created to—not anymore. That's what happened to humanity. Now, because of Adam and Eve's long-ago free will choice to disobey God, there's a lot of pain and confusion in our world. And frankly, being born into this world is the result of someone else's free will—not our own. As such, being born is not repression of free will, but rather, it is showing God's full support and endorsement of free will. That said, God is well aware of each soul inhabiting each human baby. He knows each one of us individually before we're born and knows what's going to happen in our lives (Psalm 139:13-16). What's the point of my life? OK, let's assume that, yes, life does, in fact, have meaning. And let's also recognize that sin doesn't erase goodness but actually twisted goodness. Assuming these two truths, we can actually find quite a bit of meaning, purpose, and existence in our lives. Every soul is a work of art. Unfortunately, some of those works of art get placed around people who don't appreciate them. Again, that doesn't negate the VALUE of the art, but it does make it more difficult for us, as the art piece, to see our value. We all have talents, skills, and gifts. We all have a specific draw in our spirits to express love and show the world around us, "Here is something beautiful, even if you've only seen it perverted." My friend's mother passed away penniless, half-paralyzed, and riddled with cancer, because she didn't have the funds to get her health issues checked until it was too late. And yet, my friend speaks of how her beautiful mother continued to give words of comfort to her own nurses and daughters, and how she showed love and care in ways that touched the souls of everyone she encountered—up until her last day. The thing is... We all exist for a reason—even if we don't know the specifics of said reason. God has gifted us hope through salvation and a creative, vibrant spirit to pursue art, science, charity, gentleness, and more. We are free to use that free will to combat the darkness (also brought in by free will) by choosing to love our neighbors, spread encouragement, grieve with brokenhearted friends who've been hurt by the darkness, and generally be a living, walking, work of art by the Creator of the universe who reminds others that pain and suffering isn't the final chapter in the book of existence. We all have those dark moments and some moments last longer than others certainly, but just like any good story, the conflicts we're dealing with now will eventually make way for restored goodness and beauty the likes of which we cannot even imagine. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." —Revelation 21:4 Are you a grumpy Christian?
Grumpiness characterizes some personality types more than it does others. Some people are born with sunny dispositions and always see the glass half full. Others seem to be grumpy from birth, seeing every glass nearly empty—and who drank it anyway? Unfortunately, even after some grumpy people become Christians, they bring their grumpiness with them. Since they have always been this way, they often believe grumpiness is an integral part of who they are rather than a flaw that needs to be changed. Other Christians may have been happy earlier in life but find themselves being grumpier as they get older. Reasons for grumpiness vary, but life does take its toll. For those who recognize that perpetual grumpiness is at odds with the joy of the Lord (Acts 13:52; Galatians 5:22; Romans 14:17), there are some practical steps to change their attitude: 1. Recognize that continual grumpiness is sin Consider negative personality traits to be like barnacles on the hull of a boat. Barnacles are the pest of boat owners because the little crustaceans cluster by the thousands, increasing drag and decreasing a boat’s fuel efficiency. Barnacles are also notoriously difficult to remove. Sins of the personality, such as grumpiness, are like that. They attach themselves to our lives, weighing us down and keeping us from experiencing all that it means to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, 25). The grumpy Christian needs to resist shrugging off the problem by saying things like, “That’s how I’ve always been” or “It’s too difficult to change.” Jesus paid too high a price to free us from our old ways for us to choose to remain enslaved (Romans 6:1–4). 2. Confess your grumpiness (1 John 1:9) Grumpiness becomes a habit that others see more readily than we do; many grumpy Christians don’t even realize when they’re being grumpy. In order to overcome a grumpy mood, we must agree with God about it. Jesus was never grumpy or cross, despite all that He faced and the cross that He bore (see Luke 10:21). Neither does grumpiness belong in the life of His followers (Romans 8:29). When we begin taking note of the way we respond to certain situations, we can become aware of how we come across to others. If we develop the habit of confessing grumpiness as sin every time we notice it, we become even more sensitive to it, and we can ask God for help in changing our old ways. 3. Thank the Lord for every good gift He has given (James 1:17) A grateful heart is a happy heart. Grumpiness and thanksgiving cannot co-exist. Choose to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Perpetually grumpy people are so focused on what is not right that they overlook what is right. A grumpy Christian may be helped by starting a thankfulness journal. In the journal, record one thing each day that you can be grateful for. Then, when grumpiness sets in, change your focus by reading the journal and reminding yourself of God’s unending goodness. 4. Take a breather When you find yourself getting grumpy, take a break. Even if it’s just for a few seconds, giving yourself time to step back and reevaluate things is helpful. If you have the time, spend your break praying, reading the Bible, or listening to worshipful music that uplifts Christ. Eat a healthy snack. Find a mirror and check your facial expression. Smile. 5. Identify the areas that contribute to grumpiness Find the source of the grumpiness, and you can more directly deal with it. Often, grumpy people are attracted to information and people who encourage their grumpiness. They feast on negative news, seek the company of negative people, and listen to discouraging music. Overcoming an attitude of negativity requires that we stop feeding it. We have the responsibility to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). It helps to filter all entertainment and outside information through this sentence: “Does this lift up my heart in praise to God or pull it down into anger and depression?” A Christian prone to grumpiness can handle it in the same way we overcome any negative trait. We recognize it as sin, ask God’s help in changing, and take action to create a new normal. The reward is a happier outlook, a closer relationship with God, and spiritual growth that will benefit everyone around us. How do I tell people I’ve become a Christian?
If you’re a new Christian and you’ve clicked on this, let me start by saying congratulations, how great it is that you want to tell people about your new Christian belief! The Bible says to believers: ‘You are a chosen people… a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.’ 1 Peter 2:9 Praise is not just a religious word. It just means telling people how good something is. You can see how we do it with sport. We praise professional sportspeople because they are so good at what they do. Telling people about your new Christian belief is just telling people how good God has been in saving you from your sins and giving you eternal life. So how do I do it? A great opening is if someone asks you, ‘what have you been up to lately?’ You can say, ‘well actually, I became a Christian not too long ago’. Normally and hopefully, they will ask you, ‘why?’, and then you can begin to explain to them what it means to you to be a Christian. Often when people ask you this, you don’t know what to say. That’s why the Bible says we must “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). So, there are two things you need to do: Give a reason for your hope in Christ Do this with gentleness and respect, because people are naturally defensive and hostile to God, and think that you might be judging them (1 Peter 3:16). Start by thinking about some of the great things about being a Christian. Think about why you became a Christian. Was it because you were convinced of the historical truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection? Perhaps that’s a positive that you can talk about when someone asks you how you can be sure of your faith. Maybe you became a Christian because you realized God loves you and sent Jesus to die for you. This can help when someone is down and doesn’t see any hope in life. You can say, ‘well I didn’t used to either, but now I know that I will spend forever with Jesus’, or ‘what gets me through tough times is knowing that God loves me and will look after me’. How to tell your family With your family it’s a little bit trickier. Family relationships are the closest, so you can afford to go slower with them. Also, your parents are older and wiser than you. So, you need to respect them, even when they disagree with you. If you tell them you have become a Christian, or are going to church, and they ask you why, make sure you are extra careful to be gentle and respectful. But you should still tell them the reason for the hope that you have. If they tell you not to go, or give you reasons for why you should not believe in Jesus, listen carefully. Don’t argue with them straight away. Say something like, ‘I’ll think about that’, which shows them that you do respect what they say. Then go and think about it. Read the Bible, or ask others if you don’t know how to respond. Then think about how you will speak to them about it. Explain clearly and gently why you don’t agree with them, but tell them you appreciate them caring for you and looking out for your interests. This will show them two things: That you respect them, and are not abandoning them That you are mature and well thought out. Your Christian belief is not just wishful thinking or the latest fad, but it is meaningful and makes sense. This will go a long way in helping them to understand why you believe and perhaps even come to trust Jesus themselves. Most importantly, remember that with family, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. No matter what you say, if you are argumentative or unloving, they won’t hear a word. Rather, let them see that your life is being changed by Jesus. When they see the love that’s growing in your life, they will take your words much more seriously. It might take a long time to show them that your faith is real and mature, so pray to God for patience and love. What if I don’t fit in?
Sometimes it's painfully obvious you'll never be one of the cool kids. You'll never have the right clothes, or be in the right crowd. But that's okay. I have a feeling that Christians will never really 'fit in'. And here's why... As believers, this world is not our home. We are not of this world. We're not created to fit in. Philippians 3:20 Fact: This world is temporary. You and I weren’t even designed for permanent residency here. The enemy has lied to us (especially as teenagers) by telling us that fitting in is so important and we will never be anything if we aren't accepted by anyone. Most teens and adults have bought into this lie. But that doesn't mean we have to. Instead, we need to turn to God's Word to see what He says about fitting in. In Christ, we're accepted Let's face it. We all face peer pressure and longing to be accepted by someone whether it's by parents, friends, the opposite gender, or teachers. But we'll never find fulfillment there. The only one we should be seeking to find fulfillment in is God. And, as His children, we already have it because of what Christ did on the cross. We don't have to seek acceptance from anything or anyone else. Through Jesus, God has accepted us without us having to impress Him to gain his approval. He freely gave it to us through His grace. Isn't that amazing? In the world, we're outsiders As Christ followers, we are not of this world. Instead of imitating the world, we are called to imitate Christ. And the chances are, the world may not like us – it may even hate us at times. But remember what Jesus said... “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18-19) Jesus states it plain and simple. The world will hate you. But He went through that same thing as well. Every day is a constant battle. Constantly going against the flow. Following Christ, and resisting the flesh. Taking up your cross. But take comfort in these words. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) We have Christ and His Word to stand on when the going gets tough. Therefore, we must be a light God tells His people in Isaiah to be a "light to the nations"(Isaiah 49:6b). Which means we have to be different – in other words, to NOT fit in. We need to be Jesus to a dark and dying world. Let me ask you, how can you and I shine like a light if we are the same as everyone around us? If you answered 'We can't', then BINGO you're correct! It's simply not possible. One day, you will fit in perfectly "And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:17) Everything the world values – fitting in, being cool, money, clothes – it's all going to pass away. POOF, it's gone. But, shining our light and doing hard things matter. Even the small things, like mowing the lawn for an elderly neighbor, or even just a smile or text for a hurting friend, it can all make a difference for eternity. Which one will you pick? Fitting in and chasing after things that don't matter, or being different and doing things that last for eternity? I pick being different. I may not fit in right now, but one day I'll fit in perfectly in God's kingdom. 😊 Freedom from shame A lot of people really struggle with shame. Many people your age believe that they have messed up so bad that even God couldn’t forgive them or even love them. As you read this, I want you to know that you are not alone. Shame has been a struggle for humans since day one, when sin entered the Garden of Eden. But Jesus can break the chains of shame. I want to encourage you to carefully think and pray through the five steps I share below from personal experience. I believe they’ll help you find healing and freedom too. So, grab a Bible, or use one of our Bible links on this page. 1. Understand What God Says About You I learned that I have inherent value and dignity (Genesis 1:27), that I am loved for who I am (Ephesians 2:4), that I am uniquely gifted (1 Peter 4:10), and that I am here for a purpose (Ephesians 2:10). That Christ defeated not just sin, but the effects of sin on the cross — including shame. Jesus gave me a new identity as a son of God when I began a personal relationship with Him (1 John 3:1) and received His forgiveness for my wrongs. These understandings developed the mindset I needed for this truth to begin to sink deep into my heart. 2. Surround Yourself with People Who Affirm the Truth of Who God Says You Are I began to surround myself with people who affirmed my true value, who loved me for who I was, and who accepted and encouraged me. These affirming experiences helped the truth of my value in God’s eyes to sink into my head and heart. 3. Stop Listening to Certain Voices I stopped listening to the voices of those who spread the “worthless sinner” mentality in my life — including certain bible teachers, authors, bloggers, and friends. If you listen closely, you’ll start to notice how many Christians teach that “humans are evil and bad,” rather than the Biblical truth which is “humans are broken.” When you start paying close attention, you’ll begin to realize how many obsess about sin and the old self (Romans 6:6), rather than putting their emphasis on our inherent value as the pinnacle of God’s creation (Genesis 1:26-27), His love for us, and our new identity as saints (Galatians 2:20, Colossians 1:11-13, Ephesians 2:18-20). 4. Cut the Trash-Talking Voice of Shame I made the conscious decision to cut out the trash-talking voice of shame in my head. For years, I had been turning inward on myself, letting my thoughts and emotions run wild. I routinely told myself negative things like, “Yeah, I guess I am worthless,” and “I can’t do anything right,” which only reinforced the deeply rooted lies. For years, when I felt really sad about myself or situations in my life, I’d just sit with it rather than confront the lies that lead to the deep sadness. How self-defeating was that?! I’m not sure how many lies Satan whispers to us, because we do a pretty good job of feeding them to ourselves. 5. Meditate on the Truth I began meditating, morning and night, on specific verses about who God is and who I am as His loved, righteous, redeemed son. Whenever the lies about myself came up, I’d take those thoughts captive and make them obedient to the truth of Christ in that scenario: who I am in Christ. For this to not simply be intellectual, but to sink into my heart, I visualized past experiences with God, where I had encountered His presence, love, and goodness. Releasing Our Shame Each of the above steps drew me closer to God, because I began to see Him for who He truly is: my loving Father. As my default view of myself began to change, I was freed up to share the love I was experiencing with others. As I got God’s eyes on me, I was able to get God’s eyes on other people. I began to have more compassion and empathy for others. I desired more and more to share with people how much God loves them, and desires a deep personal relationship with them. I began to experience the life I was meant to live, one of deep friendship with God and others, being fully known and fully loved — and inviting others into this life of true fulfillment. Which steps will you implement in your life this week, as you ask Jesus to grow you? At the cross, Jesus overcame all shame. Period. Now, it’s only a matter of living into what is true. Take these steps as you ask Jesus to bring healing and freedom from shame. You’ll be freed up to experience a life of maximum satisfaction, because you’ll be living in your true value. You’ll encounter deeper love with God, self, and others. HOW TO SHARE YOUR PERSONAL TESTIMONY IN 3 MINUTES OR LESS In John 4:39, a woman who has an encounter with Jesus. She is convinced that he is the Lord and goes to her city to tell others about him. The result: “many Samaritans of that town believed in him because of the words of the woman who testified.” This is just one example in scripture of people sharing their personal testimony of how they met the Savior. You may feel that this woman’s story is more epic than your own, but let that not be a discouragement. The truth is that many people weren’t living radically sinful lifestyles before coming to faith. Just tell people the way Christ changed your life. Everyone’s testimony is powerful because it is a story about moving from death to life. Giving your personal testimony is a way to share the gospel with others by explaining your personal salvation experience. It gives other an example of how God changes lives. It is one of the most effective means of sharing your faith because, although a person can try to refute that Jesus alone offers salvation, they cannot refute the fact that you’ve found reason to place your hope in Christ. It is important to learn how to share your personal testimony in 2-3 minutes because if you can’t share it quickly, you won’t share it very often. After learning how to share it this quickly, you may see new doors open to share the gospel. You will sometimes find yourself in a situation where you can spend more than 3 minutes, but it is very easy to expand upon the story after you have it down to its key points. 1. Your Background (Less Than 1 Minute) Example: Acts 22:3-5 You can talk about a number of things here such as what your family life was like, what you used to think about God before conversion, etc. You just need enough background information to communicate who you were or are. If you came to Christ at a young age, you may have trouble with thinking of what to communicate here, especially if you can’t ever remember not being a Christian. If this is your case, simply communicate how you grew up, your family, etc. 2. Conversion Experience (1-2 Minutes) Example: Acts 22:6-16. Note how Paul expresses that Jesus is Lord (vs. 8) and that he needed to be forgiven of his sins and call on Christ’s name (vs. 16). This is, in essence, a means of presenting the gospel to someone, so it is the most important part. After hearing about your conversion, the listener should have an idea how to turn to Christ themselves. A few things need to be communicated well here: o God created man to be with God and have eternal life. o Sin separates us from God and eternal life (Isaiah 59:2). o God loved us so much that he allows us to have fellowship with Him through his son, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:9). o This fellowship is gained by responding to Jesus’ lordship (“…confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord…”) and believing in his death and resurrection (“…believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead…”). 3. Life With Christ (Usually Less Than 1 minute) Example: Acts 22:17-21. Briefly explain how your life has been different since conversion and/or simply explain the hope that you have in Christ. When you are done, bring the subject of conversation back to your listener. You could ask them, “Has anything like that ever happened to you?” If they say, “No,” you can say, “Would you like it to?” Regardless of what you say, it is crucial that you get them to think about their need for Christ. Things To Keep in Mind: Be joyful. Don’t lie or embellish. Faith comes from hearing the scriptures (Romans 10:17), so include a couple of key verses, especially ones instrumental in your conversion. Avoid terms that confuse people, such as “redeemed,” “saved,” “righteousness,” etc. For instance, if you tell someone that you “felt convicted,” they might ask you if you’ve been to prison before. If you aren’t sure as to the exact moment you came to faith, simply talk about a time when you may have come to Christ. You may get a chance to explain a later time when you were certain God had changed your life. Keep it current. If you talk only about a decision made in the past, you will fail to represent the work of Jesus in the believer’s daily life. Example 1: Background: I was raised in a small community in west Texas. I had one brother that was about a year and a half older than I was. My mom and dad were both Christians, so it was just our custom on Sunday morning to get up and get our ears scrubbed and inspected and, once arriving at the church, head off to Sunday school. At the church where we went, Sunday school was where they divided you down by age groups and someone would come in to teach you the Bible. Conversion Experience: I remember one Sunday morning where the pastor came to our group’s class and he asked us, “How many of you are not Christians?” For the first time in my life, I suddenly realized that I was not a Christian, even though I had been raised in a Christian home and had been in church all of my life. I raised my hand as did another girl in that department, so he stood there and talked to us about becoming Christians. I do not remember most of what it was that the preacher had to say day, but I’ve heard it said many times after that, and I know that the essence of his message was this: God created man to have fellowship with him, but man had broken that close relationship with God and chose to go his own way. Fellowship with God was broken, but he continued to love us. He says that “the wages of sin is death [Romans 6:23],” and either I had to die for my sins or someone else had to pay the penalty for me. God sent his son, Jesus, to die [and] pay the penalty of our sin. God had said, “without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22) so he loved me and sent his son, Jesus, to die for me. I went into the regular church service (I don’t know how much later it was after that), and the pastor said, “If you’re standing out there and you want to become a Christian, in a few moments we are going to stand to sing, and I want you to step out from where you are, walk down this aisle here to the front and meet me here; we’ll pray and ask Jesus to come into your life. I remember looking to another boy standing next to me, and he said, “I’m going.” I said, “I am too,” and I walked down that aisle. As best I knew how that day, as I prayed with that preacher, I asked Christ to come into my life. Life With Christ: Later, when I was in college, I came to a point where I doubted that experience because I had not been living my life seriously for God. As best as I knew how to, I decided to ask Christ into my life again. Later on, realized that I had probably been a Christian ever since that day at church when I was little, but I had now become very close and intimate in my relationship with God. Now one of my biggest joys is simply telling people about what Christ did for me and teaching other Christians to do the same. Example 2: Background: Growing up, my family and I went to church some, but I never liked going. Early into high school, I decided that I didn’t want anything to do with God. That all changed in the summer before my freshman year of college when I had a friend who I thought would commit suicide one night. When I realized I couldn’t help her, I became desperate and I told my mother (who is a Christian) about the situation. She told me to pray because only God could help her. I had a hard time asking for God’s help because I knew that I had offended Him with my lifestyle. My friend never committed suicide, but God made it clear that night that I need a relationship with Him. Conversion Experience: After all of this, I decided I would find out more about God and started going to church. There I met Christians who seemed to have the connection with God I longed for. They told me that the Bible is God’s message to us, so I began to study it. I learned how it says that God created man to follow his plan and have a perfect relationship with him. However, he gave us a choice to follow His plan or ours. We chose ours by disobeying him (or, “sinning”). Sin separates us from Him (Isaiah 59:2). Thankfully, God still loves us and came to earth as Jesus, who died to take away our sins. He promises that we can have a relationship with God only through faith in him. This means that relationship with Him “is a gift from God, not from [good deeds]” (Ephesians 2:8-9). I didn’t want to accept this truth. I tried my hardest for months to do good things to earn the right to know God, but I failed every time. One day in church, I tried to sing a song of worship to please God. However, my voice sounded awful and I felt I was failing. Then, as if God came down and touched me, I had a sudden understanding that He didn’t care what I could do for Him. He loved me anyway. Then He told me to stop fighting Him and follow Jesus. That day I confessed to God that I was a sinner and that I couldn’t save myself. I asked Jesus to come into my life so that I could start living for him. Life With Christ: Ever since I asked Jesus to take control of my life, my eyes have been opened and I recognize His presence everywhere. Every day, God gives me the power to turn away from my sin. I’m not perfect, but I am now a radically different person. I don’t trust in my own efforts anymore because I know that God will take care of me. I just trust in Jesus and tell others about Him because of all the joy He’s given me. How do I know for sure that God loves me?
I love a lot of things in life. I love good music, I love a good movie, I love my nieces and nephews. Love is a weird word. I love my wife, I love my mom and Dad, my two amazing kids, I love a pizza (with hot mushrooms), I love a tall glass of Pepsi (with ice cubes) but love means very different things in each of those situations. Love is a weird word, isn’t it? So, how do you know God loves you? In the book of Romans, Paul gives us really good evidence that God loves us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 1. God's love is not dependent on you The first thing that Paul wants to make clear is that God’s love is not dependent on us. Paul’s talks about this in verse 6. Check it out. He says “For while we were still weak”. God made us and loved us, and we don’t a very good job at loving him back. That’s what the whole Old Testament is about. We tried to love God in our own strength, and how far did it get us? How long did we last in the story of the Bible before we sinned? About 3 pages. There’s nothing we can do to jump start the relationship with God by ourselves. We have nothing in our hands that we can bring to him. It’s out of our power. We need help. He loved us at just the right time dependent. Not when we were perfect, but when we were imperfect. God’s love isn’t dependent on you. Isn’t that a relief? 2. God's love isn't proven by how we feel Love isn’t a feeling. Feelings don’t always tell us what is true. If our hope in God’s love was based on feelings and emotions, I go through about 20 different emotions before lunch every day. We need better proof than that. Something that doesn’t change as flippantly as our emotions. Love is more than feelings. Love is an action. If you want unshakable, beyond a shadow of a doubt evidence that God loves you, we need him to do something more reliable than our emotional state. Something real that proves he truly loves us. Right? Well, we don’t have to wait. God did that. He met us. He became human. And this. This is where everything changes. 3. God's love is proven by his actions How do we know if God loves us? He proved it. Jesus defines God’s love in action. Because while we were out of line, while we were running as fast and as far away from him as we could, he pursued us. He came after us. How is our relationship dependent with God described in Romans 5:6-8 before Jesus? Have a look. Were we friends on Facebook? Best buddies? Acquaintances? No, it says we were ungodly, sinners, enemies. But God doesn’t wait for us to be right with him. He loves us first. 4. Jesus is the ultimate proof of God's love You want to know what love really is? Check out Jesus. Jesus redefines love. He moved towards broken people, not away from them. He had compassion even when he was exhausted, he kept loving. He didn’t care if he looked awkward, or people were embarrassed. He loved when it wasn’t expected or required. He loved outside his job description, his social group, his family. He didn’t wait for us to change, he walked with us while we were still in need. Christ died for the ungodly. While we were sinners Christ died for us. He loved us, a desperate group of people, and nothing, not even death was going to stop him from letting the whole world how much he loves you. He didn’t just use empty words, or rely on feelings to prove his love. He did it in action. He poured out every part of himself. While we were against him, he was for us. We had nothing in our hands, and he gave up everything for us. He didn’t just give us his death; he gave up his life for us. How do we know if God loves us? Still need proof? It’s right there in verse 8. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Surrender your heart
What does it take to really change? It doesn’t matter what you want to change. There are some principles that need to be in place for permanent change to take place. First and foremost, it starts with your heart. You’ve got to be willing to sacrifice temporary pleasure to see new habits formed. For the disciple, surrender your heart to Jesus Christ. Stop striving and let the Spirit do His work. “He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28 Jacob gets his name changed by the Angel of the Lord, which is pre-incarnate Jesus. He goes from being called a “scoundrel,” which is what Jacob means, to Israel, which means “contend” or one who strives with God. Of course, this is where the nation of Israel got its name, from the father of the twelve tribes. Jacob had the strength to strive with God throughout the whole night, and he had striven with his Uncle Laban for years to marry the woman he loved and get a start for his young family. Some people might look at Jacob and admire his ability to wrestle with God all night. The problem is that Jacob had character issues. Although his name changed, he was still a scoundrel or “heel-catcher” at heart. The same can go for us. We can change on the outside, like losing some weight, working super hard to get good grades, hanging out with “the good crowd” and still being the same person. God is interested more in the heart than He is in appearances. Don’t get caught up in looking for the blessings of God while ignoring the character issues. Let the Holy Spirit do a work from the inside out. Root out those besetting sin issues that keep tripping you up. Allow the soil of your heart to be tilled so that the seeds of spiritual fruit can be planted and grown. Surrender your heart to the Lord. Living a crucified life
There’s a saying that goes like this: You will not change until the pain of not changing exceeds the pain of changing. That is true when it comes to faith in Jesus. As long as your life is fine, you do your own thing. It’s not until things get rough that you need Him. Paul challenges us to live the crucified life. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 Paul lays down one of the most profound theological doctrines in the Bible. When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you crucify your old life, and now it’s Jesus who lives in you as you live by faith. The old ways of doing things are put to death, and now you live for the one who gave Himself up for you. That’s what it means to live the crucified life. It’s no longer about you, but Christ in you. The only way you will live the crucified life is to accept that Jesus loves you. His love goes beyond laying His life down for you. He loved you before you were created in your mother’s womb. When you were mired in your sin, He loved and wanted to see you change. If you think you need to earn His love to deserve it, you will spend a lifetime of frustration and falling short of the mark. Receive it as a gift and let it fill your heart. As you learn how to live the crucified life, you will discover that it is a walk of faith. Paul tells us in 2 Cor 5:17 that we walk by faith, not by sight. If you need to see it to believe it or know where you are going before you get there, you will struggle in your faith. Walking by faith means letting go of control and trusting the Spirit to direct you. This will help you understand what it means to crucify your flesh and walk in the Spirit. Shine a light for Jesus in class and with your friends.
No matter whether your school year is just beginning - or you're right in the middle of it - it's always a great time to use your life, words and actions to show the love of Jesus to those around you. The people you see every day need Jesus. Here are five ways you can make your school years count: 1. Learn people’s names Our names are the word we long to hear most. It indicates intimacy, friendship, and being known. Learn people’s names and use them as often as possible. Seek out hidden people like maintenance workers. Welcome outcasts, new students, and quiet peers with personal greetings. Use their name in the hallways no less than you would your closest friends. This is a small step to take to show people you care about them, and will help you build relationships for Jesus' sake. 2. Thank your teachers and pray for them Occasionally ask your teachers how their lives are going, and keep track of when they share aspects of their struggles with you. If they are open to it, keep a list of their requests and tell them you're going to pray for them. Follow up in the future to ask about the topic or situation happening in their life. Let’s not forget teachers are real people. They go through struggles, sickness and hurt just like we do, and prayer is powerful! 3. Defend against cruelty with encouragement Fighting cruelty with cruelty is never a good idea. God just won’t have it. Seek out those who are bullied and intentionally build them up. Tell them you care about them – and so does God. Speak the truth loudly and regularly to help counter the negative voices in their lives. Pray for bullies and invite the hurting to join you at lunch, in social activities, or at youth group. 4. Invest fully in whatever you do How do basketball or art club matter? Alone, they don’t. But your participation, treatment of teammates or use of your gifts - these matter a lot! Jim Elliot, a famous missionary murdered by those he went to reach, writes “Wherever you are, be all there.” Don’t spread yourself so thin you cannot be fully present. Giving your all in whatever you do lets people know you are an authentic person who cares about others. 5. Enjoy school, but keep it in perspective Athletic team try-outs, grades, and goals can leave us clothed with competition instead of compassion. Dances, dates, and smiles in the hall can leave us seeking worldly acclaim rather than making our Savior known in this world. Be a light in your school. Yes, enjoy the dances, work hard, and reach goals. But just make sure the things of this world don't become more important to you than the maker of the world. “Answer the call”
Answering God’s call in your youth places you in a unique position of making a more positive change for the rest of your life. God’s way of life is perfect, and if you want to live this life to the fullest, there’s only one way to do it: to seek God’s will and fulfill His purpose in your life. I would like to share these important pieces of advice to any young Christian out there. 1. Spend the prime of your years serving God. Don’t think for any second that the time spent for God is wasted. Actually, it is the best investment that you can do during this lifetime. Why? Because you reap the benefits of living God’s way of life today, in the future, and for your eternity. A lot of young people delay their conversion thinking that it is better to live the worldly way of life. But in all cases, without fail, those people who seek fulfillment in a worldly manner, they eventually and ultimately end up of empty, confused, hurting, and broken. It is important to serve God while you are young, while you still have the energy to do more. You can’t do much when you are already old or you’re already lying on your death bed. Ecclesiastes 12:1 tells us: Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them. 2. Go after relationships within the faith Emotions can be very strong when you are still young and hormones are all over the place. Wisdom comes in age, and for a young Christian, you may lack the discipline to make the right decision. The rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25 or so. Until then, your decision-making process is still a work in progress. Bad influences and blurred decision making can easily draw you away from serving God and following the amazing plan he has custom designed for your life. (You don’t want to miss the plan; you want to discover it.) You need the wisdom that comes from God through reading the Bible and seeking godly counsel from solid people who have walked with God and can pour into your life. Later, when looking for a serious relationship, even a spouse, you need to seek God’s will rather than your will. Looking a partner outside of your faith will lead to SIGNIFICANT problems in the future. Imagine how your kids will be confused with which belief or religion to follow if you have a different faith with your partner. II Corinthians 6:14-16 tells us: Do NOT be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. This does not only apply to marriage, but to any relationship. 3. Spend your time wisely God gave us the gift of life. So, we need to use it appropriately and productively. As a young Christian, you have a lot of time on your hands, and the way you use it will dramatically affect your future, either positively or negatively. The sooner you realize the preciousness of life, the better. Remember that once you wasted your time, you won’t be able to take it back. IT IS GONE FOREVER. Personally, in my life, I looked back and regretted all the time I spent watching mindless TV shows and playing video games. They are just nothing but a way to waste the precious time God has given us. We read in Ephesians 5:15-17: 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 4. Read the Bible from cover to cover If there’s only one book that you should read, it should be the Bible. It is the very WORD of God. It is the instruction manual that helps you learn how to live this life to the fullest. It holds the answers to life’s greatest questions. Reading the Bible is not enough. You also have to study and meditate upon it. Practice its teaching and ask God for understanding. We read in II Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 5. Have fun Most people think that the life of a Christian is boring, tedious, and even overwhelming. While it is true that Christians may face persecutions and hardships, you will eventually realize that the joy of being with God is GREATER than any suffering you can experience during this lifetime. Jesus said in John 10:10: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more ABUNDANTLY.” You see, it is possible to have fun as a young Christian. In fact, God wants us to have life – abundant life. God wants you to have a blast – but in a ways that honor HIM. Doing the will of God will naturally lead to a life of happiness. Though we can’t always be happy, we can always be blessed. So, as a young Christian, don’t forget to have fun. But be sure to do it within the standards of God. Godly fun does not do any harm. It is always uplifting and beneficial. Have fun with your Christian friends, family, and church. 6. Be a good example to others As a Christian, people will notice our actions. We bear God’s name, and we must represent Him correctly. We need to have the conduct that is beyond reproach. As a Christian, you represent Jesus. You are His ambassador. As ambassadors for Christ, we need to be a light to the world. We read in Matthew 5:14-16: You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Never underestimate the power of your example. God can use you to draw more people to Him. It is through your example that you become a living testimony of God’s magnificent love to mankind. 7. Endure until the end The Christian walk is filled with challenges. There will come a time when your faith will be tried and tested. However, this is necessary to strengthen you and prepare you for the glorious role God has prepared for you when Christ will establish God’s kingdom here on earth. I say, KEEP THE FAITH! You may lose something, but God is faithful always to provide what you need. He is the same God who said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” At the end of your Christian journey, you will look back and say, “It’s all worth it.” During my time in ministry, I’ve seen many young people make a profession of faith in Christ. Later, because of worldly influences and bad choices, sadly some have walked away from God, living lifestyles that do not honor God or line up with his Word. There are more pieces of advice that I can give, but for now, these are some of the best advice that I can think of. I may also add always to seek godly counsel. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from those who also seek to please God. Remember, being a young Christian makes you vulnerable to the evil schemes of Satan. However, that does not mean that you are helpless. Just get closer to God, and He will guide you all throughout your life.
Here's why you should be friends with people who don't follow Jesus.
Making friends is a really important part of being a human. God created us as social beings who long to be in relationship with others, so it’s no wonder that for teenagers, our friends are one of the most important things in our lives! But if you’re a Christian teen, you might have wondered: should I just be friends with other Christians? The short answer to that question is no! Let’s take a look at why… All people are created in the image of God In Genesis 1, we are told that God created humans in his image. Not just Christians, but all of us! Your Hindu friend, your Muslim mate, your atheist pal – all of them are created in God’s image and have inherent worth and dignity. Obviously, it would be best if they also followed Jesus, but they are not worth less because they don’t. Jesus died for all of us before we became Christians. If you limit yourself to only Christian friends, you’re cutting yourself off from the beauty and wonder that is in all humans – uniquely created and special. Our non-Christian friends can be funny, creative, loving and inspiring, because they too are created in the image of God. That’s a lot of good stuff to enjoy! We are called to love everyone In Matthew 23, Jesus tells his followers that the second greatest commandment is for us to love our neighbors as ourselves. So, who is our neighbor? Well, an enthusiastic man asks Jesus this question in Luke 10, and in response Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan and the man who he helps are of different faiths, but Jesus uses them as an example of the love and care we are meant to show to each other. Now, loving everyone doesn’t mean we have to be friends with everyone! There are some people we will show Christlike love to even though they aren’t technically our friends. But given that love is a major component of friendship, becoming friends with non-Christians is a great way to love them. It’s a great opportunity to show and share the gospel Surveys show that there are many non-Christian people in Australia who don’t know even one Christian – and we’re a fairly Christian country! When you become friends with a non-Christian, you may be the person they look to as an example of what it means to follow Jesus. You’re the one they’ll think of when Christians are mentioned in the media or when one of their other friends criticizes Christianity. That’s a big responsibility, but it’s also a great reason to invest in these friendships! When you follow Jesus faithfully in front of others, they will witness your faith and love and therefore see Jesus in a more positive light. Plus, the context of friendship is a great place to have more intentional conversations about Jesus. Just be careful that your friend doesn’t think the only reason you’re hanging out with them is to convert them! A quick warning Now having said all that… we do need to be a little careful when becoming friends with non-Christians. Often, non-Christians will have different ideas of what is right and wrong to us. That doesn’t mean we need to cut them out of our lives, but we may need to be prepared to stand up and say ‘no’ if they want us to do something we aren’t comfortable with. Remember, if you are a Christian, you are in the world, but not of this world. You represent Jesus and as His representative, there are standards. Stick to your convictions, always making decisions that honor God and line up with His Word. It comes down to discernment and a balance. So, what’s the solution? Well, have lots of non-Christian friends, but also have lots of Christian friends! Attending church or youth group is a great way to make Christian friends who will check in with you, encourage you in your faith, and who will understand what you’re going through. Friendship is a wonderful thing, but as with all parts of life, being a Christian means we need to approach it in a slightly different way. STRESS ALERT - Exam time
One of the most stressful things teens face is examinations. Whether it's a regular test in class to the SAT, students are not immune to the anxiety-inducing exams. While there is probably no prayer that can get you an A on an exam you don't prepare for, and probably no prayer that can change that "B" answer to an "A" answer, you can rely on God to help you study better and relax more when taking a test. Saying a prayer at exam time can help you focus better on what you have learned so that it comes out by making smarter choices on your exams. A Prayer for Your Exams Here is a simple prayer you can say at exam time: Lord, thank you for all you do for me and those around me. I know I am fully blessed, but I come to you with something on my heart. Lord, today I am just really stressed. You know, Lord, that I am having some trouble with the test I am about to take. I know it's probably not the biggest problem in the world, with people starving, people turning away from you, people in wars, and more. But, Lord, it's what I'm facing right now, and I need you in this time. I know that no problem is too big or too small for you to handle, and I need to turn this stress over to you to help me with. THE HEART OF THE MATTER
It begins with a surrendered heart. When your heart is surrendered, your feet will follow. Biblically speaking, what is the heart? It’s the control center of your personality, will, and emotions. Your heart is essentially the core of who you are. The Bible tells us that there is one God. He is the perfect, glorious, holy, eternal, all-powerful, all knowing, Creator of the universe. He created humanity to live in fellowship with Him. He loves you and has a plan for your life. Instead of living as God designed, we choose to resist and rebel against God’s authority, attempting to do life without Him. The Bible calls this “sin.” Sin separates us from a Holy God and leads to eternal death. We see the evidence of sin, not only in the brokenness in the world but within our own hearts. Sin corrupts and taints everything from our relationships with our fellowman to our own actions and attitudes. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God… Romans 3:23 In spite of our sinful condition and rebellion against Him, God pursued us in His love. Jesus, God in the flesh, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and restore our relationship with the Father. Jesus rose again from the grave, proving that He was God and offering us the promise of eternal life. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 Recognizing that no amount of good works or morality will save us, each of us must personally trust in Christ’s provision and surrender our hearts to Him. This is the Biblical understanding of faith. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you are saved Romans 10:9 IF YOU DESIRE TO PLACE YOUR FAITH IN JESUS, PRAY A PRAYER LIKE THIS: Lord, I acknowledge that You are God and I am not. I confess that I have sinned against You. I am in need of Your forgiveness and grace. I choose today to place my trust in what You have done for me through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. I turn away from my sin and toward You. I place my life in Your hands. Thank you for Your love for me. I receive Jesus as my Savior and desire to follow Him as the Lord of my life. If you sincerely trusted in Christ, you are now a child of God and your heart can be at rest. You can experience the joy of walking with Him through the highs and lows of life on earth and look forward to being with Him for all eternity. He has promised to “never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). If you made this decision or if you have any questions, we would love to hear from you. [email protected] Back to school
It’s that time of year again. Some people eagerly look forward to it and others dread it. But like it or not, it’s time for another school year. Challenges lie ahead, so here are some encouraging thoughts for you to take with you. 1. You are not alone. As you walk into the doors of your school remember the words of God to you, "'Never will I leave you never will I forsake you.' So, we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'" Hebrews 13:5,6. Don't be afraid of being beat up by bullies or criticized by cliques. Why? The King of kings is with you! The one who gives the bullies breath is holding your hand as you walk the hallways of your school. So, enter your school with a holy, humble confidence that God goes with you (because he does!) 2. "Do your best. Forget the rest." Tony Horton, the physical fitness guru who developed P90X, uses this mantra over and over in his workout routines to encourage his exhausted subjects to just do their best. He tells them to take a break from the exercises if they need to but to make sure they are pushing to do their very best without losing form. The results are amazing! You've probably seen the before and after pictures of those who've completed P90X on their always-on-some-station television informercials. How did they get those results? They did their best! I use this same reminder with my kids (who struggle a little in math.) I constantly remind them to do their very best and to concentrate until the light turns on. To be honest, I can tolerate a lot of things as a dad but I can't tolerate slacking or a lack of effort. If the effort is there then almost any skill or subject can be learned and even mastered through sustained effort. You are the Lord's representative at your school. So do your best and forget the rest. Remember that the ultimate "teacher" you'll give an account to (as will I) is Jesus Christ so, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23,24 Why do your best to get the best grades possible? Because it is the Lord Christ you are serving! 3. You have a mission to accomplish. You are not just at school to go to school. As a Christian you are at school to go on a mission trip. Every teen-filled table in the school cafeteria is a mission field that needs reached with the good news of Jesus. Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all nations…" in Matthew 28:19. This cause, THE Cause, applies to you as you seek to reach your friends and acquaintances with the good news of Jesus. It applies as you seek to make more friends with the hope of introducing them to your best friend, Jesus Christ. If you don't know how to share your faith go here and watch the "Live THE Cause" videos and make sure you get to your closest Dare 2 Share conference (coming to a city near you!) So, as you head back to school, go with these thoughts in mind. Begin to pray with and brainstorm with your Christian friends so that together you can take your school for Jesus Christ. Do your best. Forget the rest! Dealing with some big issues
During the teen years, there are so many concerns heavy on a teen’s heart: interactions with other guys and girls, school pressures, school or relationship drama, feelings of insecurity, stuff going on at home, and worries about the future Here are five things teens need to remember and Scriptures to memorize to help with key issues you may be facing today. Remember you don’t have to figure everything out yourself. God is there for you. He’s only a prayer a way. He wants to help guide your decisions. When you pause to pray you are welcoming in His wisdom and strength. Memorize this: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 Protect your heart from unworthy people. Keep it guarded as if you were guarding a $10 million diamond… although your heart is even more priceless! There are so many people who want to get close to you for the wrong reasons. They want something from you (sex, unhealthy friendships, revenge on someone else, etc.) and are not really thinking about you. They want to get close for selfish motives. Guard your heart and keep it protected because your whole life will depend on it. Don’t let people in who you don’t trust that they have your best interests in mind. Memorize this: Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 Let God fight your battles. One of the hardest things to handle as a teen is gossip and rumors being spread about you. Of course, your first defense will be to defend yourself. But instead of fighting back with words, the best thing you can do is turn to God and ask Him to fight for you. Jesus knows the truth, and He wants to defend you. When you feel like letting your words fly turn to Jesus instead. Memorize this: The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 Don’t feel as if you have to carry those burdens alone. Worried about a test? Concerned about a friend making bad choices? Did your dad lose his job? Has your mom been sick a lot lately? Those worries are a lot to carry. Sometimes it’s hard to think, hard to sleep. But you don’t have to carry your worries alone. Ask Jesus to carry them for you. Take a minute and picture yourself placing them in His hands. Whenever those things come to mind again, remember Jesus is holding them for you, caring just as you care. Memorize this: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 1:7 Trust Jesus to direct your path. I remember when I was a teen being overwhelmed with decisions about the future. People were asking me what college I wanted to attend and what career I wanted to pursue, and I was just thinking about next week’s Calculus test! Thankfully we don’t have to figure out life all alone. We don’t have to figure out our future career alone or our relationships alone. When you trust God and seek to do His will, He will guide you. He’ll bring people into your life to help you. He will give you peace about decisions you make. Jesus doesn’t leave you alone to try to figure things out. Aren’t you glad about that?! Memorize this: Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 Can I encourage you to memorize these Scriptures? Plant them deep in your heart and allow them to take root. Set the standards of your heart:
The subtle power of compromise What standards have you set for your life? When are you tempted to lower them? I’m not one to splurge. Before I buy almost anything, I usually do a significant amount of research, I think about how useful what I’m buying will be to me, etc. But…sometimes I throw caution to the wind and buy whatever the heck I want. The $ 50.00 ounce of perfume Right after I graduated college, I wanted to treat myself to something I wanted. I just spent the last four years working hard, overcommitting to a million things, and getting good grades so I could receive a glorified piece of paper that says I know something about something. Not to mention that the last few weeks of my college career were quite possibly the worst weeks of my life. It just so happened that I was at the mall with my mom and I stumbled upon some perfume that smelled like heaven was liquefied and condensed into a tiny golden bottle. This was the kind of perfume that transformed lives ... so I spent $50 for a tiny 1 oz bottle of it. Part of me is ashamed…but it smells really good… How I started to compromise my standards In order to be responsible, I told myself I would only wear the perfume on special occasions so it would last a long time. And initially, that worked very well. I wore it to a wedding ... A couple of weeks passed. I wore it on a date … and then again on a few more dates. As time went by, I started compromising what the words “special occasion” meant. Oh, I’m going to church? That’s a special occasion, right? Oh, I’m going to Starbucks to read and watch people? Definitely a special occasion. Oh, I’m staying in bed and writing all day? Something needs to make me feel good about myself. *glances at glorious golden bottle* Special occasion. It’s funny how we do that. We compromise standards and rules we set for ourselves. When compromise gets messy The only consequence of compromising on my perfume standards, is that it will run out quickly and I’ll have to settle for cheap body spray that smells a little less like heaven and a little more like rubbing alcohol. But there are other areas of life where compromising gets messy. And I know, because I’ve done it. To give you a better idea of what I mean by “other areas of life”, let me give you a few examples that you might be able to relate to. Perhaps you told yourself that you were going to focus on incorporating spiritual disciplines (prayer, scripture reading, etc.) into your daily routine. BUT then you decided you just didn’t feel like you needed to because you had other stuff to do. Perhaps you told yourself that you wouldn’t watch certain TV shows or listen to certain music because they contained themes and images that were ungodly. BUT when you were hanging out with your friends and they wanted to watch those shows and listen to that music…you figured it really wasn’t a big deal. Perhaps you and your boyfriend/girlfriend set boundaries for the physical aspect of your relationship. BUT then one night you decided that as long as you didn’t go “too far”, then you could push the original boundaries a little. Be careful how you live I can see on reflection that compromise in my life usually happens in times of weakness and vulnerability … when the appeal of enjoying the “experience” seems to override the importance of holding to values. If that sounds like you too, be careful. Be aware of what you’re doing and the situations you’re putting yourself in. The Bible says to “be careful then how you live…” (Ephesians 5:15) As a Christian, this is particularly important in order to be obedient and fulfill the calling to a higher standard of living. I’m not telling you to keep yourself in a bubble and build walls to keep the world out of your life. I’m encouraging you to experience life and be open, but I’m also encouraging you to have the maturity and awareness to know when the experience isn’t worth it or it contradicts the values you hold. If you've set a standard for your life, be faithful to that. Just like with my perfume, you may need to go back and remind yourself why you made the commitment in the first place. I’m not trying to keep you from enjoying life. I’m just trying to help you stay true to yourself and your Savior while you do. So, I challenge you today to choose God’s way – every day. Set your standards, build the boundaries, draw the line you won’t cross, and with God’s help, set the purpose of your heart to “NO COMPROMISE”. When You've Done Everything but Feel Nothing
The Bible does tell us that being obedient to God shows our love for Him (1 John 2:5). And I’m sure you don’t need my help to find commands in the Bible for you to obey, including loving your neighbor (Mark 12:30-31) and keeping our body and minds pure (Philippians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 6:18). The list goes on, but I don't want to give you a list of do’s and don’ts. Our love for God is a good motivation for obedience, yes. However, obedience will NOT create a love for God. Trying to follow a set of rules to somehow generate love in your heart will leave you with nothing but bitterness. And yes—I know from experience. Love is built slowly, crafted out of time and trust. Think of it as growing a flower instead of flicking on a light switch. Spending time with God, building that relationship, learning about His promises, creating trust through seeing Him prove Himself in the Bible...that is the sunlight to your flower. Instead of a to-do list, the one thing you can focus on is reading God’s Word and talking to Him through prayer. The Bible alone has power (Hebrews 4:12-13). Trust me. I know that’s easy to say and so hard to do. I struggle with the same thing. It’s almost physically painful at some points to open my Bible, much less pray. I have doubts, too. Some days, my prayers get frustrated and angry, but sin, depression, and poor self-worth become very real in my life if I’m not intentional about keeping close to God. Just as you’ve come to us to ask questions, it’s all right to ask for help among other believers in your life. Those relationships will help build your faith in Christ. Use the resources available to you to get there, such as accountability partners, biblically-sound classes or study groups, and Christian books about building your faith, but nothing can stand in as a substitute for the Bible itself. Last but not least, I want to address mental health. I personally struggle with chronic anxiety and sometimes would nitpick different aspects of my spiritual or physical life. I’ve found medication and a Christian counselor to be helpful. If you believe some of your unrest may need to be addressed by a professional, please don’t hesitate to ask a trusted adult or doctor for more information. Don’t give up. Just as there are lows in all our walks with Christ, there will be highs again. No matter our emotional state, God loves us the same (Romans 5:8). —Sarah “I feel like my faith is slipping” Sometimes you doubt your faith. Sometimes just finding five minutes for God seems like just another chore. God knows that sometimes Christians struggle in their faith. Sometimes devotions do not really seem like devotion but work. Sometimes Christians wonder if God is even there. Here are some ways to keep your faith strong even when you feel a bit weak.
Deuteronomy 31:6 - “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (NIV)
Philippians 2:12-13 – “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (NIV)
Romans 12:5 – “so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (NIV) So, be encouraged today. Don’t give up. Stay focused on serving Jesus. Make following Him your priority one and the passion of your heart. The break up
Maybe it was mutual, maybe you got dumped, or maybe you did the dumping, but however it happened, you’ve broken up. I bet you’re hurting right now. You’re probably thinking you’ll never get over it. You might think that the pain will last forever, you’ll never love again and your world is over. But I promise: it gets better! Eventually, you realize you’ve gone a whole week without thinking about your ex. And then maybe God will bring someone else into your life. Life goes on. But for now, here are some tips to help you cope with the break-up in a healthy, godly way. Grieve When a relationship ends, it’s natural to feel a deep sense of hurt. And that’s ok! You may be losing someone who you really trusted, and it’s natural to grieve the loss of that friend. You may also grieve the loss of the plans you had for the future with that person, whether they were plans of marriage or just plans of fun dates in the summer. Take some time to let yourself grieve. You don’t have to bottle up your emotions! Eat some ice cream (it’s a cliché for a good reason!), cry, write about it and pray about it. Share your feelings with God. The grieving process is important. Distract yourself After some grieving, it’s time to try and move on. One of the best ways to do that is by distracting yourself. But be warned: I do not mean get a new boyfriend or girlfriend! You need to make sure you’re totally over your ex before a new relationship begins, or things could get very messy. Distract yourself with other things, like a hobby, spending time with friends, starting a new book, or throwing yourself into school. Now is also a great time to recommit to or start a new ministry! You’ll probably have a bit more time on your hands now, so see if there’s a way you can get involved at church, maybe teaching Sunday school, joining the worship band or cooking for a family in need. Deal with anger If you were dumped, or feel like your ex didn’t protest enough when you broke up with them, or things were bad for a long time before the relationship ended, there’s probably going to be some anger there. This is normal, but you need to deal with your anger in a healthy way. Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin”. Some bad things to do with your anger would be to gossip about your ex, send them angry or hurtful messages, take out your anger on your family or friends, or let your anger become bitterness. Instead, turn to God. Share your anger with him, and ask him to melt it away and replace it with compassion. Try and replace angry thoughts with thoughts about God’s faithfulness and goodness. Be thankful for God’s plan As hard as it may be to understand, God always does what is best for his people in the long run. So, if your relationship has come to an end, it was ultimately for some good reason. This also means that thoughts of regret are not so helpful. After a while, you might regret that you ever had the relationship in the first place, given how it ended, but try and think about it like this: God’s plan was for you to have that relationship, so what did you learn from it? When I broke up with my first boyfriend, I was angry and upset and questioned why God had let me get hurt. But after a while I realized how much God had taught me through that relationship. I learnt about my needs and preferences in a partner, I learnt how to be a good friend while also in a relationship, and I learnt that I am very stubborn and probably carried on the relationship too long out of a fear of failure! That relationship was part of God’s plan, and because I had it, I was much better prepared for the marriage I have now. Move forward Once you’re passed grieving and anger, and can be thankful, you’re well on your way to being over your ex! But there may still be some things that rear their head sometimes, like hurt, feelings of insecurity or even guilt over things you did in the relationship that you shouldn’t have. In order to move on from the relationship completely, you’ll need to deal with these things. Keep praying to God about everything – he listens and will help you. You might also find writing down any negative thoughts you have about yourself helpful, and then crossing them out and writing Bible verses about your identity as a child of God and a redeemed person next to them. You might also like to consider talking to a trusted adult or even a Christian counsellor if you’re struggling with negative thoughts. It’s important to nip them in the bud so they don’t lead to anxiety, depression, or impact future relationships. No matter what happened in your relationship, or what happens in the future, never forget that God loves you, has a plan for your life and he’ll never leave you! No matter what you're facing, God says 'trust me'!
Ever had the experience where just before something crazy is about to happen, someone has said to you, “ok, don't freak out, but...” 'Don’t freak out' is my version of one of the most common commandments in the Bible – 'Do not be afraid', which appears a total of 365 times! God often uses the phrase “do not be afraid, fear not, or don't be afraid” when he is asking someone to do something scary or something that they are not used to. Here are just a few examples: DON’T FREAK OUT, even though you’re going to go to war against a mighty enemy….. (Deuteronomy 20) DON'T FREAK OUT, but you’re going to cross The Red Sea (Exodus 14) DON’T FREAK OUT, but I'm going to need you to preach the gospel to a hostile people (Acts 18:9) God knows everything that has happened, everything that is happening, and everything that will ever happen in the future. We do not have to freak out about our future; because he already knows it, and we can trust his good plans for the world and for ourselves. You don't need to be afraid because God loves you. God knows you better than you know yourself; he has numbered the hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30). He knows what will happen to you tomorrow, and he knows what you've been through in the past. He has a plan for your life, and all he asks is for you to trust him, stick with him, and NOT freak out. So, what does all this mean for you? DON’T FREAK OUT about your future! DON’T FREAK OUT about your life! DON’T FREAK OUT no matter what challenges you may be facing My encouragement to you is to replace freaking out with trusting in God. Be courageous, have faith, face life in prayer with God. He is a good God and will carry you through. You do not have to be afraid. Your life doesn’t have to be perfect
Guess what? We live in an imperfect world. Maybe you’ve figured that out already. Commercials, ads, billboards …. Media … tell us that we aren’t good enough. What we have isn’t the latest or the fastest. Our teeth aren’t white enough or could be straighter, our hair is too straight or too curly, we are too skinny or the opposite. When you look in the mirror? … that’s a whole different story. That zit beside your nose is going to ruin your life. Sound familiar? Get the idea here? The list is endless and just keeps going on. Don’t get me wrong. Good grades are important and there’s nothing wrong with looking good. But here’s the thing; The chase for perfect grades, bodies, and lives can become all-consuming and actually ruin our relationship with God. Last summer I took a personality test that suggested I’m a perfectionist. This came as no surprise to me, since I generally like things to be the best they can be. I tend to notice flaws wherever I go, and I love being able to improve things! In most areas of life, I’m quick to notice imperfections. I even notice them in my own self: flaws in my character, intelligence, behavior, physical appearance, and health. Although my desire to improve things can be beneficial in many areas of life, I’ve discovered that it can be unhealthy or harmful when I direct my efforts too strongly toward myself. Why perfectionism is bad for your relationship with God When I identify something about myself that I think could be better, I naturally try to “fix” it without anyone’s help. But I’ve recognized now that this tendency ends up taking my eyes off God and keeps the focus on me instead. Hebrews 12:2 advises us to keep our eyes on Jesus, who is “the author and perfecter of our faith.” Without acknowledging my need for him to refine me, I have sometimes become less like Jesus, who is the perfect role model of goodness and righteousness. Are you a perfectionist? Here's some ways I’ve tried to improve myself without God’s help and direction. Maybe you recognize yourself in some of these habits: Sometimes when I get the thought or feeling that I’m “not good enough”, I search for a self-improvement method that will soothe my insecurity. At times, I have chosen to put most of my mental energy into how I can “eat perfectly” and exercise more frequently and strictly. Other times, I've pushed myself extremely hard in order to get straight 'A's in school. While striving to be healthy and get good grades are not bad things, I’ve realized that these efforts can really distract me from my relationship with God. The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction I get from “improving myself” don't lead me to God's peace — they just lead me to focus even more on eating, exercising, and good grades. The hidden dangers of perfectionism Unfortunately, when I’m putting all my efforts in being 'perfect', my priorities fall out of line, and my character becomes less like Jesus. In the past I have pushed myself so hard to follow my own strict rules for studying and treating my body, that I depleted myself of physical energy. I used to focus on my body and food so much that I became less emotionally present with people and less able to be a good friend. My mind has previously been so full of thoughts about how to make things better, that I've had no space left for the things that really matter. What Jesus says to perfectionists In John 14 and 15, Jesus tells his disciples they must depend on him like branches depend on a vine. He says that no branch (us) can produce any fruit without being connected to the vine (him). Further, he says the Father is the one who will “prune” away, or remove, anything that is unrighteous. It isn’t our job! Jesus is telling his followers that we can’t truly live a flourishing Christian life or produce anything that is purely Christlike without God. That’s why Jesus says, “apart from me you can do nothing” (15:5). We can only become righteous and produce things that are truly good by mirroring the actions of Jesus (14:12), keeping his words in our hearts and minds (15:7), receiving his love and joy (15:9,11), and keeping his commands (15:10). When I look only within myself for strength to become a “better” person, I become exhausted by trying to do God’s job. I end up distracted by things like my body and grades, rather than my spirit, character, and how to serve others. When I ignore the refining work and sustainment of God, I always find emptiness and a messy list of priorities. Since realizing that I can’t really become a better version of myself or feel a sense of lasting wholeness without Jesus, I have been asking God to help me keep my eyes on him and to conform me more to the image of Jesus. Knowing and loving Jesus better and keeping his words in my mind has led to a deeper sense of wholeness, goodness, peace, and satisfaction. God has relieved so much of the pressure that I had put on myself, and he has brought healthy improvement to my life! Do you feel like just giving up?
Grab a Bible (or click on our online Bible) and look up the Book of Hebrews (New Testament). Hebrews is written to Christians who are tempted to give up on Jesus and go back to life without Jesus. Have you ever felt like doing this, felt like leaving Jesus behind? It can be pretty common when you are finding the Christian life pretty hard, to be tempted to chuck it all in. But the book of Hebrews says to anyone in this situation to think again. For, to turn away from Jesus is even more inconceivable than wanting to going back to prison. To leave Jesus is to go back to a life of slavery to the law, slavery to sin and slavery to the fear of death. It’s like living in the King’s palace then moving out to go dumpster diving into the sewage and trash this world offers. Jesus is the radiance of God's glory, the exact representation of his being. Jesus is our perfect Prophet, merciful, faithful, great and eternal High Priest, supreme King, kind Shepherd and sacrifice of atonement all rolled up into One. The covenant he brings in is full of love, live, redemption and forgiveness. It would be completely foolish to turn your back on such a great salvation and such a great Savior. Here's some more advice from the book of Hebrews: Instead of drawing away from God, draw near to God (Heb. 3:12; 4:16; 7:19; 10:22). Don't drift away from God; fix your thought on Jesus and hold on firmly 'til the end (Heb. 2:1; 3:1, 6, 14; 5:14). Don't be lazy about this, but make every effort to enter your eternal rest (Heb. 4:11; 6:12). Don't throw away your confidence, but hold unswervingly to your hope (Heb. 10:23, 35). Don't give up hanging out with other Christians, but keep meeting together with them and keep on encouraging them (Heb. 3:13; 10:24-25). Don't grow weary or lose heart, but run with perseverance and with your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus so that you don't miss out on God's grace (Heb. 10:36; 12:1-3). If you are finding the Christian life tough going, make sure you take the time to read Hebrews. Yes, the Christian life can be hard, but it is so worth it. At the Patch, we are here for you. Please feel free to connect with us if you are struggling in this area. Hey, did you hear ....?
“Gossip damage” “Did you hear about Sarah?” “No, what’s up?” “Her parents are splitting up. Luke told me.” “Really?” “Yeah, her dad just left for no reason.” “Figures. I can’t stand her. He probably left because of her. Hey, there’s Zoe. Let’s see if she knows.” Have you ever experienced a conversation like the one above? Sometimes it’s really tempting to be “in the know” rather than “out of the loop”. We feel valued when someone shares something with us that few other people know. Even more, there is power in sharing that secret with others. When the secret is something positive, like a surprise birthday party for someone, it is great fun for everyone. But when secrets tear people down instead of building them up, the results can be devastating. How gossip damages people While it’s true that God made us to be social creatures (“It is not good for man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18), sin has corrupted this desire for relationship. And instead of building healthy friendships, we end up gossiping about someone else just so we can be accepted. In most circumstances, gossip is a betrayal of trust, and trust is very hard to come by for most people. It is the foundational element for any significant relationship. Without trust, most of us will not share our inner selves with anyone, no matter how deeply we may need that bond. In fact, we will often isolate ourselves rather than risk the pain of our insecurities being mocked in a public forum. It is sadly ironic that those who gossip in order to connect with others will likely find themselves on the receiving end at some point. But if joining in the gossip is not the answer, how do you deal with this issue like Jesus would? God is against gossip Proverbs 6:16-19 says there are seven things that the Lord finds “detestable”, and speaking falsely against someone is in that list. In fact, giving a false testimony against someone made it into God’s Top 10 in Exodus 20:16. James 1:26 tells us that someone who thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue is “deceiving himself” and has a “useless” religion. Perhaps the most telling is that, in Romans 1:28-32, Paul included gossips and slanderers in the same list as those who hate God and murder! The big message is — God despises the practice of intentionally causing pain to others by what we say. Are you a 1 Corinthians 13 person? As followers of Jesus, we must embrace the standard of love that we have been called to. Spend some time in 1 Corinthians 13, and then learn to filter what you say and do through that checklist. Before you speak or act, ask yourself, “Is this patient and kind?” “Am I just boasting or speaking out of envy?” In fact, make a regular practice of evaluating your entire life against this lofty set of goals. Starting in verse 4, replace the word “love” with your name. “Jason is patient”, “Jason is kind”, “Jason does not envy”, etc. Are those true statements? Jesus said people will know you belong to Him if you love one another. How to fight against gossip Sometimes the best thing you can do is to endure a little shame on behalf of others instead of adding to their pain. Proverbs 26:20 says that, like a fire, gossip stops when people stop gossiping. With a fire, you can let it go out slowly on its own or dump water on it to speed things up. The same is true for gossip. When you are invited to gossip about someone, you could just walk away or try to change the subject. Or, you could stand up for what is right and challenge those around you to treat others with respect. Ask the gossiper, in love and gentleness, “Would you want someone to talk about you like that?” Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. This certainly won’t be easy, but it is what Jesus did for you. He endured unimaginable mocking, ridicule, and torment to save you from your sins precisely because you could not do it yourself. For most of us, being isolated from those around us is one of the worst things we can experience, especially in our teen years. When you are invited to gossip, will you tear someone down just to build yourself up, or will you let the light of Jesus shine in the darkness? "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing". Proverbs 12:18 “My friends are getting into bad stuff”
Have you ever had a friend that began making choices you didn’t like? Maybe they started using alcohol or drugs. Perhaps they got into porn or started becoming sexually active. It can be really hard to know what to do when someone you care about starts to make choices that you can see are wrong. With those thoughts in mind, we’ve gotten a list together of some suggestions to help you when your friend starts doing bad stuff. Speak into their life If you have the ability to talk to this friend, do it. See if you can find out why they are making these choices. Don’t yell at them or give them a hard time because of what they’re doing, but be there to listen. Believe that when you talk to them, God will show you something to say that will encourage them to make the right choices. Finally, be careful when you talk to them to not come across as mean or seem like you know it all. Be genuinely interested in what they’re going through and believe that God will use you to encourage them and remind them of the truth. Pray for them This can be such a hard thing to do. Many times, you want to see instant results. You want your friend to stop what they’re doing and start living right. However, sometimes the best thing you can do for a friend is to pray for them. A great place to start is to pray the prayer that Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17-18 (Message) – “Ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory – to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do…” Pray that they will be able to see clearly what they are doing and the plan God has for their life. Always love them Sometimes when friends make bad choices, they don’t act very kindly to you. They might lash out at you or stop hanging out with you. It doesn’t matter how badly they treat you; you should love them. 1 Cor 13:7 – “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” NLT Never give up on friends when they’re making bad choices, instead choose to love them and be there for them no matter how they treat you. Dealing with a friend who is making bad choices is hard. But with God’s help, you can be a support and help for your friends that are in need. You can love them, pray for them, and even talk to them to encourage them. Regardless if you see results or not, it’s important that you choose to love your friend no matter how they treat you in return. Pray: God, I come to you in the name of Jesus and I pray for my friend. I ask you to open the eyes of their hearts that they might see who you are and how much you love them more clearly. I ask you to help me with wisdom so I know what I should do in this situation and how to help my friend. I believe that you are showing me the right thing to do right now in the name of Jesus, Amen. When it just hurts Tough times are hard on us all. Whether a tough time comes from the passing of a loved one, a low grade on your math final that you studied so hard for , not making the softball team, a broken heart, or some other source, tough times can really weigh on you. Many times, it’s hard to know how to deal with tough times. You might feel like you don’t know how to respond, or want to blame God for the tough time you’re facing. Where do tough times come from? Let’s take a look at where tough times come from. Many people try to blame God for tough times. If a person you love dies, often people will say, God took them, or that God needed another angel in heaven. When you’re going through a difficult situation you might have someone tell you that God is using that situation to teach you a lesson. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about difficult situations. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; James 1:13 This verse shows us that God isn’t sending a trial or a tough time to you to test you. God isn’t to blame for the difficulty you’re facing. He isn’t testing you or trying to teach you a lesson. God is good. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows James 1:17 This verse shows us that God sends us good things. He’s not out there ready to strike down a loved one with cancer. He’s only got good gifts and things to give to you. So, when tough times come, realize that God isn’t the source of your trial. Your outlook is key in tough times Your attitude and outlook make a huge difference when you’re faced with a tough time. You can choose how you will respond to difficulties in your life. Your response makes a huge impact on how you handle difficulty. You can choose to be defeated or upbeat about the difficulties that come your way. No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37 Paul is an awesome example of this. He faced lots of crazy stuff in his life. He was shipwrecked, beaten, left for dead, and put in prison. Despite all the hard things that happened in his life, he kept a good attitude. He chose to put his trust in God and keep a positive attitude in the midst of tough times. Paul’s example should challenge us when we face tough times. Regardless of what is going on around us, we can take comfort in the fact that God never leaves us and isn’t the source of tough times. We can go to God in tough times and let Him be our shelter and our refuge. Choose to look to God for His strength in difficulty. Remember that with God on your side you can’t be defeated. Keep a good attitude and know that God will help you through the difficulty you’re facing! (My favorite part of scripture in tough times is Psalm 91)
The Family ...... hurt, pain, trauma, drama, misunderstanding and frustration - sometimes loving, sometimes not. It's a crazy combination isn't it ? We've written this feature to encourage you and help you navigate your way. “My parents just don’t get it”
One of the biggest challenges for Christian teens is their relationship with their parents. Mom and Dad have one idea about how you are supposed to act and follow the rules, but you want to grow up and start making your own decisions. Many Christian teens find that they want to follow the commandment to "honor thy father and mother," but the actual practice is more difficult and complicated. So, what are some things you can do to develop a Godly relationship with your parents? Many Christian teens groan when it comes to spending time with their parents, because they just don't feel that their parents understand them very well. Maybe it is time for you to plan family night. Try cooking your parents dinner or picking out a game for the entire family to play. You may even want to create a night when you all pray or do a devotional together. While you don't have to spend all your time with your parents, spending some time with them allows you to get to know one another better. Talk to Your Mom and Dad Another difficulty for Christian teens is opening up to their parents about what is going on in their lives. Yet, when you talk to your parents about some of the things that are going on in your life it allows them to see how you are growing up and becoming more responsible. It also helps them feel more connected to you because they feel involved. Show You Care Showing affection is not easy for every family. Some Christian teens grow up in households where everyone is hugging and kissing or telling each other, "I love you," while others are not very "touchy-feely." However, you can show you care about your mom and dad in your own way by at least being polite, caring, and thoughtful. Be Fair When you are trying to get along with your mom and dad it can be hard for you to keep your cool when you aren't getting your way. Sometimes the best way to get along with your parents is to make compromises. Try to put yourself in your parents' shoes. Then come up with a solution that will fit what your parents need from you and what you need. Keep Your Cool Many Christian teens end up having "temper tantrums" when they try to have a conversation with their parents. Arguments usually come from a lack of understanding. Next time you talk to your parents, try to ask them questions to understand where they are coming from and remember to share what you are thinking so they can understand you. Take Your Disappointments Elsewhere Frustration with your parents is normal. One great outlet Christian teens have is prayer. God is always willing to listen. You can pray for a better relationship with your parents or for God to place an understanding on their hearts. You can also journal or express your frustration to friends, leaders, and pastors. Sometimes those close to you can help you brainstorm ways to develop a Godly relationship with your parents. Remember...They are the Parents No matter how responsible and grown up you thing you are, your parents are still the heads of your household. They are your authority. Even if you don't agree with their rules the Bible still says you are to follow those rules. Whether you look at Romans where the Bible focuses on following authority or just Exodus 20:12 where God commands us to honor our parents, your parents' rules still stand. Ask God to help you honor Him by honoring your parents. Exodus 20:12 says that we must honor our parents. It goes on to say that if we honor them, we will live long upon the Earth. That promise should tell us how important parents (or legal guardians) really are. Otherwise, why would God give such an important promise to a commandment? But that isn't all we are told to do, we are also commanded to obey our parents (Ephesians 6:1-3), and that's slightly different from honoring them. Honoring someone is when you have an attitude of esteem for that person. If you study the three Biblical languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic), you'd find that they all agree on the most basic root of honor: respect. When showing honor to a parent, you seriously consider their counsel, emulate their strengths, and treat them respectfully. Obedience means "to follow orders." Can you see how the two meanings are different? Practicing how to honor and obey our parents as kids helps us learn how to honor and obey God as we grow into adulthood (Psalm 103:17-18). Jesus says in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." Godly parents will teach their children how to honor and obey their Creator too (Deuteronomy 11:19; Proverbs 22:6). What if I don't feel like honoring or obeying my parents? There have been times in my life that I have felt my parents don't deserve my honor or obedience. One bad thing about being a teen is a lot of times you find that you're waking up to all your parents' faults. No, they aren't perfect people, and half the time they don't seem to even understand our generation, but that doesn't make them any less intelligent or wise. Here's a real life example that my mom and I laugh about all the time... My mom and I were driving down the highway, listening to music. She's pretty cool and lets me play rap, rock, and all sorts of songs that I like, as long as they never go against God. I figure that's a really good deal, but on that particular day, I could tell she didn't agree with the song I was playing. She took a deep breath and put on the "I'm ready for battle" face that I'm sure every teen as seen at least once. She took one last breath and said, "Anna, I've noticed that some of your songs are sexual, and I really don't think you should listen to that type of music." I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. You remember that honor thing, right? Well, laughing at your parents isn't exactly honoring them. I finally got myself under control so that I wouldn't start giggling and replied as respectfully as I could muster, "Um… Mom? This is Toby Mac, he's a super-very Christian artist." Then I started laughing like crazy. The two main lessons of that story are: 1) I like coming up with weird phrases like "super-very" and 2) although my mom couldn't understand my song well enough to know it wasn't sexual, she still understood how sexual songs can be a dangerous temptation for Christians. Just because your parents make mistakes and can't always understand everything about you or what you're doing, that doesn't mean they don't have useful knowledge that could help you in life. After all, they do have quite a few more years of life experience over any teenager. Even if your parents aren't Christian or if they aren't good, moral people for some reason, they can still know a lot about life that we don't. Is there ever a time when I don't have to obey my parents? The answer is yes, Acts 5:29 says that we must obey God rather than man. If your parents ever order you to do something that goes against God's law, then not only are you allowed to say no, but God wants you to say no. All children (including teens!) need to honor and obey their parents. But once a child becomes an adult by age and by moving out of the house, out from under their parents' care, they are no longer required to obey, but they must still honor their parents. Just remember that honoring someone isn't easy either, so don't think you'll be able to wake up someday and never have to do another chore again. ☺ Another thing to take note of is if you have a parent hurting you, getting help and escaping the abusive environment is not dishonoring them. Show your respect to an abusive parent by forgiving them, listening to their good advice, and trying to see their strengths. But by no means does that mean that if you are being harmed you need to let them continue. I know that there will be times when your parent or guardian will positively annoy you, but remember that they have plenty of experience you don't have. Try to look past all of the old-fashioned things they do in life and listen to what they are really trying to say. Proverbs 1:8 says it the best: "Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching." My parents are getting divorced ☹ Few things are more traumatic than a car accident — 2,000 pounds of steel and glass bending and scraping, with no respect for the limits or boundaries of the human body inside. There’s a path of healing that every victim of a serious accident must take. Children with divorced parents have experienced a different kind of violent, traumatic collision. And every child of divorce must likewise walk a path of healing. It will, of course look different for different sons and daughters, but no one can deny that the emotional and relational bleeding needs attention, likely long after the papers are filed. A chorus of adults with long-divorced parents will dismiss in unison: “I’m not broken, thanks very much. I’m not a project. I’m fine. It’s not even a big deal. I’m not a victim, and it certainly doesn’t deserve this much attention.” I totally get that. Depending on the day, I might say the same thing if I read my first two paragraphs. My parents divorced when I was nine. I’m not a victim, but the break still broke me. It wounded me in ways I could not control. Years later, because I didn’t have the resources to work through things as a nine-year-old boy, certain forms of brokenness seem native and normal to me. The break that happens between mom and dad in divorce happens within the child. Divorce “attacks the self, because the self is formed within the belonging and meaning provided by the family. When it is destroyed, the threat of lost place and lost purpose becomes a reality. Without place or purpose, one becomes a lost self” (Andrew Root, Children of Divorce, 21). More than losing myself, though, I lost the ability to relate to my heavenly Father. I certainly didn’t think that God had anything to say, or even cared, about the mangled, overturned vehicle in our living room. I’m sometimes still tempted to think that way today. But he does. He speaks. And he cares. Right now, we’re just focusing on what you (and I) experienced, and how you can heal. This isn’t meant to judge divorced parents, or to deter parents from getting divorced for legitimate reasons (abuse or adultery). The point is to see how, as children of divorce, Jesus Christ is a light in dark places, a hope for the broken, confused, and lonely. We will piece together some themes from Scripture to explain how God understands and relates to children of divorce, in ten points. Divorce Does Affect You 1. Everyone in a family is organically, emotionally, spiritually connected. Paul explains, “For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy” (1 Corinthians 7:14). While not the main point of the text (primarily speaking about marriage between a believer and unbeliever), we can note three things: The family is a unit — an organically connected singular entity (“because of his wife . . . because of her husband . . . as it is”). The child’s spiritual wellbeing is interwoven with the integrity of their parents’ marital wellbeing (“made holy . . . made holy . . . they are holy”). A broken marriage, therefore, has breaking effects on the child (“Otherwise your children would be unclean”). 2. For a child, experiencing a divorce is experiencing a violent storm. Malachi argues, “Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So, guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth” (Malachi 2:15). Ah, yes. “What was the one God seeking? Godly offspring.” In the Hebrew, “A child of God.” What does the child experience? The Lord enters the scene to explain what happens to a child when parents fail to guard their marriage “in the spirit”: “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So, guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless” (Malachi 2:16). There is always violence in divorce — a scary, violent, destructive storm within and all around the family. Divorce Tears What Cannot Be Torn 3. Divorce does not just separate parents. “So, they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6). “I know.” We use a metaphor for divorce: “It’s like getting gum out of a rug. It can’t fully be done.” Okay. We forget that the spouses aren’t the only ones who get “separated.” The gum metaphor certainly doesn’t capture what happens to a child of a divorce. A marriage can be separated, at least in some ways; a child cannot. A child is an irreducible unit — a singularity cannot be separated from itself. And yet, we are. What the parents experience relationally, the child experiences internally. 4. Divorce separates you from you. So, when your parents — your first example and measure of relational unity and security — were separated, you were torn in a way that a human is not built to be torn. There is no “gum” and “rug.” There’s just you. You’re one “thing,” and now you feel like you’ve been cracked in half into two things. Even if you don’t experience the emotion explicitly, you still feel and experience and respond to the tension, because the separation is real. “We all fight through adversity, of whatever kind, so that we can fight for the weak down the road. Regardless of whether the divorce was justified or biblical — completely aside from any of those questions — divorce was a violence you experienced. What man “separates” in divorce happens to you, too. What happens between Mom and Dad happens in you. “There is no soundness in my flesh . . . because of the tumult of my heart” (Psalm 38:7–8). The effects are far-reaching, often more than we are immediately aware. Depression, anxiety, addiction, anger, compulsions, and distractions are all possible effects of being torn, and very often we are not even aware that these things might be related to the “accident.” Facing Brokenness Is Freedom. Brokenness is not unrighteousness. Scripture uses many different metaphors to speak ethically, but theologians have used at least two terms that are relevant here: the “forensic” and the “renovative.” The “forensic” is legal. It’s declarative. It’s right and wrong. Scripture uses the terms “righteous” and “unrighteous” for the forensic (Acts 24:15). The “renovative” is felt — it’s inside of you. It is helpful and hurtful. Scripture uses the terms “holy” (1 Timothy 2:8) and “broken” (Psalm 44:19; Psalm 69:20; Proverbs 29:1; Ephesians 4:22). To put it in a crass and reductionistic way, the forensic is the external evaluation, and the renovative is the internal state of affairs. In order to heal, we need to be able to distinguish between our brokennesses. 6. You didn’t do anything wrong, but you still have to heal. Popular therapy for children of divorce will say again and again, “You didn’t do anything wrong.” That’s a forensic category. And it’s true. Your parents’ divorce is not your fault. But, unfortunately and tragically, it still breaks you. You are still, in a real way — in an on-the-ground, in-your-fibers sense — overwhelmed by a weight too heavy to lift and twisted in knots too complex to untie in a single counseling session. The choice given to the child of divorce is not whether or not they should experience the brokenness of their parents’ divorce, but whether they will consciously process or unconsciously suppress the breaking. Henri Nouwen explains, “What is forgotten is unavailable, and what is unavailable cannot be healed.” Likewise, to intentionally face the reality of being broken is not to face defeat, but healing. Facing God After Divorced Parents 7. Marriage and divorce communicate something about God’s love. Parents represent in a priestly and prophetic way, for good or ill, Christ’s attitude toward their children (Ephesians 6:1–4). This reality happens not only in the direct relationship of parent-to-child, but in an exemplary and indirect way in the public, parent-to-parent relationship lived before the eyes of the child (Ephesians 5:25–33). And so, in divorce, parents communicate a view of God’s love that speaks more powerfully than words. It is important to recognize, then, that there will always be a painful proverb in the back of your head that has its root in that experience. It’s not the same for everyone. “Love doesn’t last.” “Failure in love is always my fault.” “I need marriage to escape my loneliness.” “I will never get married.” “God’s ready to leave me any moment.” “My love isn’t enough to keep people together.” “I’m not enough.” All lies. But lies are powerful when they have good material to work with. Divorce is a fertile ground for lies of justified self-hatred. Children of divorce, myself included, have always searched too hard for love. Like the song goes, “I fall in love too easily; I fall in love too fast; I fall in love too terribly hard for love to ever last.” We are searching for a sense of home, a way to convince ourselves the lies in our abandonment and loneliness won’t have the last word. 8. God has a special affection for you. What do we see in the texts we’ve looked at so far? A condemnation of the divorced? No. It’s not even about that. What do we see? God’s caring hand for the child. For you. Even if you’re an adult. These texts are God speaking, and naming violence that you’ve experienced. Malachi 2:15 is God saying, “You’ve been in a car accident, and you need to heal.” He says, “I’m looking after you. My eye is on you. You are my child.” We see God’s protective care for children of divorce. We see the structures that he has set up to care for the weak and his grief over the violence that breaking these structures does. God is the lifter of weight. He is the untier of knots. His specialty is in redeeming — in healing, restoring, and strengthening. His forte is in trauma, and in complex pain — not always in fixing or explaining right away, but in being-with (Isaiah 43:2). He has a singular and unique affection for you: “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13). That verse probably means nothing to you. In fact, it may make God feel further away. The ‘father’ pictures in Scripture have never been anything but painful for you. That doesn’t change the fact that God does show perfect and intimate compassion to you the way a good father should. He does. Facing Others After Divorced Parents 9. God is building you to help others. Through sorrow and tragedy, God gives you an awareness of the world. A sixteen-year-old with divorced parents is, in a sense, more aware of the world around him than the same sixteen-year-old without divorced parents. We all fight through adversity, of whatever kind, so that we can fight for the weak down the road. If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. (Proverbs 24:10–11) These verses flip suffering on its head. If we had divorced parents as a child (and faint, because it’s too much for us), it is so that we can rescue others when we’ve been made strong. In the end (and even in the midst) of your healing path awaits a unique strength that will not only deliver you, but will allow you to carry others through the same journey, fighting the same voices, healing the same wounds, building the same faith and perseverance. 10. Reach out to others who have walked this hard path. Ernest Hemingway wrote, “The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” To put it tritely, experiencing the divorce of parents is just really, really hard. There’s no escaping that. It comes with tears. It comes with being very afraid. It comes with anger. You carry the bitter weight of having divorced parents. “You deserve to be deeply loved, and you are deeply loved by God. He will carry and keep you. I don’t presume to know your situation, what your parents are like, or what your family has gone through. All I know is that it must be extremely painful, and that God knows your pain. By his grace, it will not destroy you, but make you stronger (Isaiah 42:3–5). Paul realized that he went through an affliction “so that [he] may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction” (2 Corinthians 1:4). He is a man who once “despaired of life itself” who now “[does] not lose heart” (2 Corinthians 4:1). He learned to be strong because he was weak (2 Corinthians 12:9), and God is still using him to comfort Christians in chronic and excruciating pain all over the world. I don’t think I have found more help in my own journey of healing than in seeking help from others who have walked the same paths — who have had to do the hard work of finding Christ through the weeds of having divorced parents. Look for other sons and daughters — of God, and of divorced parents — and walk with them. You are not pathetic. You are not alone. You deserve to be deeply loved, and you are deeply loved by God. He will carry and keep you. Feeling down? Worthless? A failure? Just …. discouraged?
Here’s something you can hold close to your heart in those times; The book of Proverbs is such an underappreciated book of the Bible! It’s full of absolute gems of wisdom, and it’s also a wonderful place to turn if you’re feeling lonely, sad, grumpy or even distant from God. Here are 10 Proverbs that will encourage and uplift you. Proverbs 3:3-4 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. If you’re feeling like the pressure of following God is too much, check out this Proverb. It boils down being a Christian to being loving and faithful! Sounds much simpler, right? Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. If you’re a Christian, you are considered righteous because of what Christ has done! So, this is what your life will be like, as you become more and more like Christ until the full light of day, when he returns or you go to be with God forever. Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. When you’re feeling hateful towards someone else, or feel hated by others, remember this: love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 11:4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. Wish you had just a bit more money? Well, this Proverb is a great reminder that ultimately wealth will be worthless, but righteousness through Christ will save your life! That’s way better than a Sony PlayStation 5. Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. This is great advice for anyone discouraged by the tough times their friends or family are going through. You can play a role in cheering up the heart of a struggling person! Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Feeling lost or confused about what to do with your life? This is a wonderful promise that will help you move forward with God’s help. Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. If you are a follower of Jesus, you need never fear anything - God is like a strong, protected tower and he will keep you safe. Proverbs 19:27 Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. If you’re feeling like giving up on going to church, youth group or reading your Bible, here’s a good reason to keep going - if you don’t keep learning from God’s word, you’ll become disconnected from his ways and it will be so much harder to live as a Christian! Proverbs 21:15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. If you’re discouraged by the injustice in the world, be encouraged by this: God will enact justice (it says when, not if!) and you will be joyful, and evildoers will be punished. Proverbs 29:26 Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice. If you’re feeling ignored by those in authority over you, this might be an encouraging Proverb. God is the one who is ultimately in control, and don’t forget - thanks to Jesus you have complete access to him! These are just a few of the pearls of wisdom from Proverbs, so why not start reading the book of Proverbs today and feed your soul with godly wisdom. Be encouraged. Don’t ever give in or give up – just keep serving Jesus! Part of the “in crowd” … or not
Everyone wants to be loved and accepted. Popularity seems like such a great thing! Being loved and admired by people sounds so wonderful. However, is popularity all that it is hyped up to be? Should popularity really be one of our goals in life? Let’s see what the Bible has to say on this. Notice what can happen when we crave popularity: I Sam. 18:7-9 – We can become very jealous of other people. Acts 12:1-4 – It can cause us to do things we should not do. John 12:42-43 – We will live to please people more than God. Where should our focus be? > Gal. 1:10 – Our focus should be on doing what God wants. The truth about popularity: Acts 4:18-20 – Doing what God wants is not always popular. Compare Mark 11:9-10 with Mark 15:12-13 People may love you one day/hate you the next, as even Jesus experienced. What should I do? The goal of trying to become popular is not something we as believers should live for. The endless pursuit of trying to win over people’s love is not what God has called us to do. Rather, our attention must be on pleasing God with our lives. If, while living for God, He allows us to become popular, so be it. Our popularity can be used to further shine for His glory. But if popularity does not come our way, then there is no loss. As long as we are pleasing God with our lives, what else really matters? May we live in a way that makes every effort to draw people’s attention toward Christ, not ourselves! Pushing the limits
The Issue: Far too often we try to push the limits of what we know we should not do. We often live trying to see how much we can “get away with” without actually crossing the line and sinning. Should we really be flirting with sin and trying to get as close to the edge as possible, or should we have a different focus? What does the Bible say? What do these verses say about the focus we should have? Grab a Bible and check out these verses: I Chron. 28:9 – God knows our heart, He wants us to seek Him. Ps. 27:4 – Our sole focus should be to grow closer to God. Ps. 139:23-24 – We should ask God to direct us in His ways. Prov. 16:2 – Beyond just our actions, God looks at our motives. II Tim. 2:22 – Flee the dangers of sin and pursue godliness. So, what should I do? Scripture gives overwhelming support that our focus should not be on pushing the limits, but rather on being committed to doing all things in a way that clearly glorifies God and draws us closer to Him in obedience. Some good questions we must ask ourselves are: 1. How well are my actions pleasing God? (I Cor. 10:31) 2. How well are my actions drawing me closer to God? (James 4:8) God is not pleased when our desire is to push to the edge of what we think is “okay” (He does not want us going in the direction that leads us away from Him)! However, God is pleased when we make decisions that draw us closer to Him in obedience. Try applying these principles to every aspect of your life, so that in all you do, you will continually be pursuing Him and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33; I Tim. 6:11). Right from wrong
Every day, we make decisions and every decision has a consequence, some greater than others. But always a consequence. When we are faced with decisions, we also have options to choose from. Yes, no, do I, or don’t I? … So, the big question is; how do I know right from wrong? I want to get it right and I don’t want to mess up. This is definitely worth a closer look at; So, what is God's will for your life? A lot of young Christians want to do God's will, but struggle because they don't know what God's will is. Below are some principles from God's Word that will help you to discern what God's will is for you and help you make the decision between right and wrong. 1.) Is it helpful? The first part of 1 Corinthians 6:12 tells us “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable (helpful)…” Is it helpful to me? Will this help me to become a better Christian, a better friend, a better brother or sister? The second guideline for knowing right from wrong also comes from this passage. 2.) Will I be mastered by this? 1 Corinthians 6:12 goes to say, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable (helpful). All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” Will I be enslaved by this? Think of some things that are addicting; for example, cigarettes, alcohol, TV, pornography, and so on. 3.) Will it cause someone else to stumble? 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 gives the third guideline for knowing right from wrong. In this passage, the principle is not to do things that will cause someone else to stumble. The apostle Paul had a strong faith; he knew there was only one God. He knew God had given him freedom to eat certain meats, but if it made others fall, he would not eat the meat. I heard a friend once tell this amazing story: “I remember so clearly the first time I had a drink of beer after being a Christian. I was 25 years old and working with high schools. I had not had a drink for four years and late one afternoon my roommate, who was also my director with the church group I was working with, had a quart of beer and offered me some. I had just come in from a four-mile run and was very thirsty. I took a drink from the bottle of beer, and it tasted terrible. I quickly got some water and tried to get the taste out of my mouth. On Monday, I was at the high school for lunch. A couple of students who were in my group came up and told me of one of our friends who had gotten really drunk the past weekend. They went on to tell me that this guy came to my house on Thursday and was about to knock on my door when he looked in and saw me with a bottle of beer in my hand. The first time I had one small drink (that tasted icky) in four years and I made this student stumble. What a good lesson for me! Even though the government says I am old enough to drink in moderation, I will not, because it can and has caused my brother to stumble.” As a student, you are probably not even old enough to drink legally, but can you think of any other situations where you could make someone stumble spiritually? 4.) Does it glorify God? 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us, “So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Can this activity glorify God in some way? 5.) Will this give the enemy a foothold? Ephesians 4: 27 “do not give the devil a foothold.” Always be aware and always on the alert. The enemy is always looking for that little crack, that little vulnerability within us that he can manipulate. He can quickly drive a wedge into the smallest crevices of our lives and break them wide open leaving us in a place of emptiness, loss and despair – a place or situation we never dreamed we’d ever find ourselves in. So, don’t put yourself in that place of vulnerability or temptation. Don’t give the enemy the foot in the door. KNOW THE WORD OF GOD. If it doesn’t line up with The Word, don’t walk away – RUN!! To sum it up: Before just jumping in, ask yourself “is this person, place, thing, or activity worth risking my walk with God for, or my eternity? Pray about it and ask God for the wisdom and discernment to make the right and God-honoring decision. Vault of your heart
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 Why do we need to memorize Bible verses? After all, thanks to smartphones and other wonders of technology, we have our Bibles at our fingertips all the time. If I need to know a verse, I can Google it so fast it would make your head spin. That's true, but this isn’t just about being able to look up a verse. Memorizing Scripture is like banking it in the vault of our heart. When you need it, it’s there. And you sure are going to need it ... because in the middle of Algebra class or volleyball practice when you start to feel insecure and need a boost from God’s Word, you probably aren’t going to just be able to look it up. Or when you are in the middle of a conversation with a friend who needs some encouragement it isn’t always convenient to say, “Hey, hold on while I find something in the Bible that will help.” The goal here is to be like the Psalmist who wrote Psalm 119:11 When we memorize God’s Word, it is at the ready when we need it and those little verses will pop right into the front of our brains helping us check our attitude, guard our heart or help that friend. Memorizing is usually hard and no fun at all. But it doesn’t have to be! That's why I'm giving you three things you can do that will help you hide God’s Word in your heart, without having to just stare at your Bible for hours on end hoping it sticks. Hack #1- Scribble it! Take a verse a week and write it in on your bathroom mirror (use lipstick or a dry erase marker). Let’s face it, you spend a lot of time in front of that mirror. After a week of hair styling, teeth brushing and (for some of us) makeup applying/removing, you will have seen the verse a ton. Read it once or twice every time you look in the mirror and I bet by the end of the week you have it memorized. Hack #2- Post it! Take those one or two verses that encourage you, challenge you or remind you of who you are and write them on post it notes. Stick them in your locker, on the refrigerator or on your bedroom walls. Every time you see it, read it and say it out loud. It’s that simple. Hack #3- Lock it! Remember that wonder of technology you always look at? Your smartphone, iPad, iPod, etc.? Take that verse you want to memorize and make it the lock screen of your phone. You can Google the verse and find a ton of cool images, or make your own. Whenever you check the time, you’ll see God’s Word. See, it’s not rocket science. Add a little creativity and memorizing God’s Word can be an easy and fun addition to your day. PS: When you pick verses to memorize, you might want to choose something that connects with your life circumstances at the moment. Feeling low? Choose a verse about how God lifts you up. Feeling sad? Choose a verse that reminds you of God's love and comfort. When the verse is significant to your situation it will be that much easier to store away. “In but not of”
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 1 John 2:15 This is not a suggestion. It’s a command. “Do not love the world.” You’ve probably heard a thousand times that Christians are supposed to “be in the world, but not of it.” But, what does that look like? How can we interact with lost people without being influenced by the unbelief and hostility towards God so prevalent in our culture? In John 17:14 Jesus says, "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world." So, what is the world? It’s the entire system of rebellion against God and his rule. This is so important. If you don’t get this, you won’t get the passage. John is not saying the world God made was bad. He’s saying the way we relate to what God made can be bad. To John, worldliness is thinking the world is all that ultimately matters—placing it above the Father. What makes the world bad is not the stuff in it—which came from God—but how we treat that stuff. We cannot love the world (view it as ultimate) and love the Father (view him as ultimate) at the same time. One comes first in our heart. John says it should be the Father. We cannot love both the world and the Father simultaneously. Love for the world crowds out love for the Father, and love for the Father crowds out love for the world. It’s a lot like a boat in the water. The boat is designed to float in the water – to be in the water, surrounded by it on all sides. But there should not be any water in the boat. Our goal as followers of Christ is to actively engage our culture with the Gospel without allowing the culture’s ungodly morals, values, attitudes, and behaviors to infiltrate our lives. Unfortunately, many sincere Christians struggle to get it right. But that’s much easier to read than it is to live. We can see the world. We can’t see the Father. And given those two options, we tend to gravitate toward what we can see. 3 Ways Christians Relate to the World 1. Separate from the World Some of us take our boats out of the water all together. Our intentions are good. We want to protect ourselves and our families from the sin of the world. Granted, it’s easier to live by God’s standards if we remove ourselves from the influence of the world. But there’s one big problem with that. In doing so, we also remove the influence of Christ from the world. Jesus calls us to go out into the world and take the Gospel (John 17:14-18), not hunker down in a holy bunker. 2. Compromise in One or More Areas Others of us launch our boats out in the culture, but because we fail to adequately protect ourselves from its influence and guard ourselves against sin, we end up taking on water. Some believers simply throw up their hands in surrender without even trying to live by God’s standards. Following Christ may feel “too hard,” “too boring,” or just “too weird.” But the majority of us compromise little by little. Often, we don’t even realize it’s happening. We straddle the fence over here. We give slightly in another area over there. Sometimes, we even compromise with God’s holy standards in a misguided attempt to be “relevant.” 3. Live by God’s Standards Out in the World Admittedly, being out in the world but not like it can be brutally difficult - much like paddling a boat upstream. In fact, some days it may be more like trying to go up Niagara Falls in a barrel. So, how can we live in a way that impacts the world for Christ without allowing the world to impact us? We find two key biblical principles in the very passage that coined the phrase “in the world, but not of it.” The following passage is part of a prayer Jesus prayed for His disciples on the night He was betrayed: ‘My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.’ John 17:15-21 Jesus did not ask the Father to take His followers out of the world. In fact, Jesus commissioned them to go into the world as His ambassadors. Instead, He asked the Father to protect them from Satan and his schemes, to guard them from temptation, and to make them holy through the truth of His word. This is what they needed to fulfill their commission. Did you notice that Jesus’ prayer was not just for those handful of disciples? Jesus included you and me in that prayer – “those who will believe in me through their message.” The truth principles also apply to us. First, we must guard our own heart and lives from temptation. Take an inventory of your life. Where are you weak? In what areas are you most tempted? Ask God to help you identify those weaknesses and then take steps to protect them. Take precautionary measures. Find an accountability partner. Take things out of your life that constantly cause temptation. Patch the holes in your boat! Second, immerse yourself in God’s Word. Know the truth inside and out so you can recognize lies when you hear them. Obey what God shows you in His Word so your life will be holy and above reproach. Then get your boat in the water! There are some drowning souls in need of rescue. As a Pastor, I’ve seen a lot of people make a profession of faith in Christ and go all out for God. But sadly, they failed to put down deeps roots in God. The pull of the world is very strong and without deep roots in the things of God, it’s a devastating recipe for an uproot. we are tempted every day. The world never stops making offers, and our flesh never stops window shopping. John recognizes this. So, he gives us reasons not to love the world. Do not love the world because the world is opposed to the Father. “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” The mindset that says the world is ultimate originated from the world. When sin entered in, we replaced God for God’s creation. We distorted and twisted God’s good gifts into our ultimate hope. To help us understand, John gives three categories of worldliness: “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life.” Notice the word desire. This matters so much in understanding this passage. What we love is all about what we desire. The Greek word John uses is epithumia. It means “an intense desire for some particular thing.” It’s not simply a preference but a deep-desire for something—desiring it above everything else. This word is used 38 times in the New Testament. It’s a word that can have both a positive or a negative connotation. But on three of the 38 uses are positive. That’s interesting to me. I wouldn’t expect John to use this kind of word here. Some translations use the word “lusts” instead of “desires”. That’s more like what I expect. I can’t think of a good connotation of lust. But the ESV uses desires. So, I looked up the three good uses of this word, and here’s what I found. The first is from Luke 22:15. Jesus’s last supper before he goes to the cross. He says to his disciples, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” In other words, Jesus deeply desired to dine with them before his suffering. Why? Their presence reminded him of his mission and became to him the joy set before him to endure the cross. The second instance is Philippians 1:23. Paul says to live is Christ and to die is gain. He’s hard pressed between the two. He says, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” Paul’s deep desire is to be with the Lord. And that deep desire propels him to submit his circumstances to Jesus and obey him, whatever the cost. The third instance is 1 Thessalonians 2:17. Paul says, “Since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face.” He’s been separated from the Thessalonians and longs to see them again. His deep desire is to be with God’s people. Here’s why I focus on this. John isn’t using this word on accident. The fact that we are capable of such desires means something. What does it mean? The Puritan pastor, Jonathan Edwards, said “to create men with a capacity [for great happiness] which [God] never intended to fill..would have been to have created a large capacity when there was need but of a smaller…hence we learn that there is undoubtedly a future state after death, because we see they do not enjoy so great glory in this world.” Do you understand what he’s saying? If we have the capacity for such strong desire, it must be because God himself created it. Why did he create it? To go unmet? Of course not. To be wasted on the passing things of the world? No way! He created it to fill it with himself. Why? Because he’s the most satisfying being in the universe. And by creating us with desire, he gave us the capacity to really experience him and find the deepest happiness of our lives. So, to focus our desire on the world rather than on Father is to focus on what could never satisfy. We need to stop dumpster diving for the treasures of the world and mine the immeasurable riches of Christ. It’s in him that we’ll find our desires satisfied. When John says “the desires of the flesh,” he’s talking about the wrong focus of that desire on things you can see, touch, and feel—things like food, drink, leisure, sex, rest, enjoyment, comfort—anything that appeals to how you feel in the body. By desires of the eyes, he means beauty, attractiveness, glamour, what appeals to our sight—when you see something you just have to have. For some, it’s pornography, lusting after what we should never look at. For others, it’s the “Instagrammable” life, looking great on the outside even if you’re dying inside. Then there is the pride of life—self-exaltation, thinking what you have and what you are is of your own doing, pride in possessions, financial means, property, livelihood. Pride of life is the result of the other two, and becomes the means by which we keep the other two alive. It is the culmination of the sin of idolatry, when we love what we’ve accomplished or accumulated or attained more than anything else. The more we focus our desires on the world, allowing the world’s mindset to take root and grow, the more we push God to the edges of our heart. You might be thinking, “Ok, I get it. I shouldn’t desire the world. But how do I stop desiring? I can’t change what I want!” No, you can’t. But God can. He created your heart. You think he can’t change the desires of it? If helping us diagnose our desires isn’t a good enough reason, John gives us another: if we love the world, we’re going to pass away with the world. Look at verse 17. B) Verse 17: Do not love the world because the world is passing away. “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” In the world, it’s those who reach the top who make a splash. By design, it’s exclusive and hard to reach. Not just anyone can make it. But no matter how high you climb, the world’s ladder is always wobbly. One bad investment, one big mistake, and it’s all over. And when you die, as the Preacher of Ecclesiastes said, all is left to another. Every worldly desire turns into a dead end. But in the Kingdom of God, whoever does the will of God abides forever. You don’t have to reach the top of this world. You can be on the bottom. The world hates the lowly and humble, but God loves them. Whoever comes to God with a heart longing for his grace will find it. Every godly desire ends up in heaven. Don’t misunderstand me. You can be wealthy and close to God and you can be poor and close to God. This is not about material wealth. It’s about how you relate to material wealth—what you’re building your identity on. If you build your life on the passing things of the world, you will pass along with it. You’ll waste your life. But if you build your life on the will of God, you and what you lived for will abide forever. Jesus taught this in John, chapter 6. He fed the five thousand, and after he leaves, they come looking for him the next day. Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” The crowds liked Jesus for their full bellies. But a full belly is only a pointer to the grace of God, it is not God. Their desire was for more than bread. It was for God. They just couldn’t see that yet. Here’s the point. When we make the world ultimate in our heart, we grow hungry and thirsty no matter how much we eat. When we make the Father ultimate in our heart, he gives us Jesus who said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” What is the will of God that abides? It’s treasuring Jesus and believing in him for eternal life—looking to him for everything: all satisfaction, all worth, all joy, all peace, all hope. John isn’t asking you to evaluate over a period of time and make a plan for change. He’s calling for immediate response. Why are you looking to Jesus? To give you more bread or to give you himself? What do you believe matters most? You can know by looking at what you do. For example, how do you spend your money, your time, your effort? How much of what you have do you attribute to Jesus vs yourself? How much energy do you spend on the things of God? If you’re like I was this week, realizing you love the world far too much, what is the path forward? It helps to go back to verse 15. “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” The phrase, “the love of the Father,” occurs only here in the NT. It means love toward the Father generated by the Father’s love toward us. John is not calling us to create love for the Father on our own. We could never do that! Our love for God is generated from his love for us. “We love because he first loved us.” It is the Father’s love coming down to us through the person of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit that transforms us from world lovers into God lovers. What did Jesus say in John 6? “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” He gives us what we need. Everything in the world has a price. But in the gospel, God says, “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” All we have to do is come to him. Will we? Here’s how we can. Go back to 1 John 1:7. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Our path forward is not bootstrapping it. It’s confessing it. When the pull of the world grows strong, cut the chains with regular and earnest confession. If we confess our sin to Jesus, how will he respond? Will he beat us? Will he cast us out? No! He’ll cleanse us. When we bring our mess ups to the world, it shames us. When we bring our sins to Jesus, he saves us. Are you starting to see how important this passage is? Martin Luther said we need to live from the perspective of eternity. We need to live today in light of what we will experience ten billion years from now. In ten billion years, you’re not going to care one lick about what you looked like on Sunday, September 3rd, 2017. You’re not going to care that your house needed a coat of paint or that your car is run down or your bank account is empty or that you couldn’t take that vacation to Hawaii or that you’re unknown to most of the world. You’re not going to care that you purchased your dream house or that you finally got the promotion at work you spent all those hours accruing. You’re not going to care about any of that stuff in ten billion years. Why do you care so much now? Because it’s what you can see and feel and touch. And our fixation on it grows our desire for it. And if you don’t have it, and others do, what will come of your life! Well, if you belong to God, glory awaits. The world and all that’s in it possess away while the crown of glory shines brightly forever. Missing out on this world’s best will feel like suffering in the present. But the Bible says the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. What do you love most? The world or the Father? Remember in Acts, when Luke tells us about the early church? “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” They devoted themselves. They were living for Christ in the midst of the world. And what happened? “Awe came upon every soul.” And “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Christians ask themselves, “What am I doing, what am I a part of, what am I involved in that will still matter ten billion years from now?” A leisurely pancake breakfast on Sunday morning after a world-filled week tastes good, but if it tastes better to you than worshiping God with his people, you need to ask yourself, “Do I love the world or the Father?” That sounds radical, doesn’t it? Well, it is! The gospel is radical! The death of Christ on the cross is radical! The resurrection is radical! God’s salvation is radical. Who but God would love us? The world teaches us to de-radicalize, to fall in line. But when a church let’s gospel doctrine create a gospel culture, Jesus sets the rules, not the world. Christ’s massive weight of grace leads us out of the land of slavery into the land of freedom. We become a different kind of community—one centered on Jesus and rooted in joy, where confession of sin is common, repentance is a way of life because we have nothing to hide anymore, and loving one another is the natural outflow of our deep desire for the Lord. The world doesn’t understand it because it’s not of this world. It’s of God. We will look a strange to them. Who cares? We have God! And you know what? Some will find that attractive, because God gave them a desire so big that only he could fill it. Not loving the world means we won’t get our best life now. That’s ok. That was our plan, not God’s. Why? Because to give us our best now, while we’re battling sin, is to give us a living hell. And God loves us too much to do that. He wants more for us than we even want for ourselves. We would settle for everything we desire in this world right now but God won’t let us have it—and that’s grace. We’re all looking for a miracle to make our life complete. And the miracle we’re looking for has come. “For God so loved the world he gave his only Son.” God did not leave us on our own, wandering our way through life, hoping we’ll find what we need. He entered in. We fell in love with what we could see and touch. So, he became see-able and touch-able. He looked at us and said, “I don’t care what they’ve made of themselves. I want them! But they’re blinded by the evil one and the world and their own flesh! They can’t come to me. So, I’ll go to them!” The world and its temptations offered him everything and he turned it down. Why? He was on a mission to save. For too long, we wasted our God-given desire on the world, never finding what our heart longed for. So, Jesus obeyed the Father on our behalf, and when he triumphed over the world, brought us to the One who could satisfy our heart. He gave himself for you. What has the world given for you? We will lose everything we have at the end of our life, but if we have Christ, we will have everything we longed for for eternity. Our path out of worldliness is to travel further into the love of God. Jesus is not asking us to sacrifice joy. He’s commanding us to enter it. The Bible promises us that whatever it may cost us in this life, it’ll be a trade we won’t regret for all eternity. As we obey this command, we will face tribulation in this world. But take heart; Jesus has overcome the world! Godly behavior
Christian teens hear a lot about "Godly behavior," but often wonder what that actually means. Does this mean that we have to be perfect and live like we're better than every body else.? NOT AT ALL , NO WAY. As Christians, we are asked to step it up and live to a higher standard, because we are representatives of God on Earth. So, striving to live a God-centered life is important, because when we exhibit Godly behavior, we are providing a good witness to those around us. Godly Expectations God expects Christian teens to live by a higher standard. This means that God wants us to be examples of Christ rather than living by the world's standards. Reading your Bible is a good start to discovering what God wants for us. He also wants us to grow in our relationship with Him, and praying is a way to speak to God and listen to what He has to tell us. Finally, doing regular devotions are helpful ways to know God's expectations and live a life focused on God. Romans 13:13 - "Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy." Ephesians 5:8 - "For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So, live as people of light!" (NLT) Your Age Is Not an Excuse for Bad Behavior One of the greatest witnesses to non-believers is the Christian teen setting a Godly example. Unfortunately, most people have little faith that teens can make good decisions, so when a teenager is exemplifying godly behavior, it becomes an even more powerful representation of God's love. However, that's not to say teens don't make mistakes, but we should strive to be better examples of God. Romans 12: 2 - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV) Living out Godly Behavior in Your Everyday Life Taking time to ask how your behavior and appearance are perceived by others is an important part of being a Christian. Everything a Christian teen does influences what people think of Christians and God. You are a representative of God, and your behavior is part of demonstrating your relationship with Him. Too many badly behaved Christians have given non-Christians reason to think believers are hypocrites. Still, does this mean you will be perfect? No. We all make mistakes and sin. However, it is important to keep striving to walk in Jesus' footsteps as best we can. And when we do something wrong? We need to take responsibility and show the world how God is the best and most reliable forgiver. Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV) 1 Peter 2:12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (NIV) Butterflies and sweaty palms
I am a worrywart. I once had a small bruise on my leg and after hours on the Internet I was worried about everything from leukemia to scurvy. My husband laughed as he jokingly said that I should stop hanging out with pirates. Worry is a funny thing, isn't it? It's like a small seed that can shoot up into a monstrous tree given time and attention. We fear many things, such as things we just can't control (like cancer) or things we don't feel qualified to act on (like choosing the right major). And when worry fills our hearts, it affects our relationships and clouds our judgment. If God has provided a way to go from worry to peace, why do we continue to get butterflies and sweaty palms? The Bible offers us a solution to worrying: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV) If God has provided a way to go from worry to peace, why do we continue to get butterflies and sweaty palms? Learning to entrust every single worry to God in faith-filled prayer doesn't happen overnight. It's an ongoing process that becomes easier with time. Are you willing to give it a try? Check this out: 1. Work through a worry Draw up a list of your worries. Get them out of your head and scribble them down. Don't be shy — you're not being graded. Take out your Bible. Scripture offers us a prescription for the burdens that lie heavy on our souls. Find verses that talk about worry and write them down. Write up or print an easily accessible list that you can always come back to. Here are some to get you started: Matthew 6:25-27 Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 2. Pray Bring your worries to God. Start with your list of worries and match them up with the list of Scripture verses. Combat the lies of fear with the truth about who God is and what his plans are for you. The Holy Spirit is an amazing counselor. Let his power transform your wearied soul and bring you consolation (Psalm 94:19). Let his peace guard your heart and mind. And invite the Spirit to remind you to bring every worry to God whenever one creeps up. What helps you trust God in times of worry? Fearfully and wonderfully made Have you ever given yourself a beat down? Maybe you’ve thought “I’m just a nobody, I can’t do anything right, I always mess up, I’m a disappointment who can’t measure up, I’m a mistake and a waste of space”. Yes, sadly, there are people who actually feel this way. Well, here’s some encouragement: First of all, realize that these thoughts are from the enemy. A cheap shot trying to discourage you. An attempt to get you to lose focus on your true meaning and purpose. Now, put the enemy in his place and tuck these truths in your heart: So, God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God, he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 Psalm 139 says that God made all the delicate, inner parts of my body. He knit me together within my mother’s womb. I was made wonderfully complex. God knew me as He was painstakingly designing me with much loving care. I didn’t just evolve into what I am. I was created and designed with a purpose. And the blueprints of me are similar to other human beings but they’re not exactly the same. I am unique—and so are you. The human body is a unique design of multiple systems that all work intricately together. The cardiovascular system gives you the energy to move. The muscular system gives you the ability to move, lift, and hold things. The digestive system processes food into energy and discards waste. The immune system keeps you healthy. The hormonal system determines your gender. The eyes cause you to see. The nose lets you smell. The tongue and mouth let you eat and taste. The ears enable you to hear. And your skin enables you to feel textures. You have the ability to encounter an incredibly diverse world with an equally amazing diverse body! Then you were also blessed with a brain so you can think, process, and create. Isaac Asimov said the brain is “the most complex and orderly arrangement of matter in the universe.” Your emotions help you to relate to other people and feel compassion. All of these systems (plus many more) were uniquely designed to make you who you are. God created you on purpose with love. You have the innate ability to discern right from wrong. Although, that ability is hindered somewhat until you connect with your Creator. He didn’t just design you to do your own thing. He created you so you would desire an ongoing relationship with Him. YOU were custom designed by Him and for Him. You were made with a hole in the center of your soul that only one thing fits. Until you find that very specific something, you will never be fulfilled. And that very specific something is God Himself. You were designed with an intense need of your Creator, God. Without a relationship with Him, you will always be searching for something to fill that void. Drugs, alcohol, food, money, sex, material goods, occupations, hobbies, travel, success, fame—these are some of the ways in which we try to fill that empty space inside. But none of those things will ever fill it. They are like round pegs in square holes. The vacant areas at the edges will still leave you desiring more of something else. Whatever you attempt to put in there will dissipate because it never completely fills the space. Those things were never meant to fill the space; they never can. Sadly, many continue to shove mismatched pegs into that hole. A little of this, a little of that… hoping that one day they will feel complete. They surmise that this thing over here didn’t work but maybe this other thing will do it. They just haven’t found the right thing yet but one day they hope they will. One day… I’ll have enough money to feel safe and secure. I’ll find the perfect spouse that will complete me. I’ll get my dream sports car and life will be grand. I’ll be on television and people will know my name. I’ll be the best in my field and people will scout me out. “One day” will never come. If you’re not happy with who you are today, right here and right now, you’ll never be. You’ll never be happy with who you are today unless you begin to praise God for creating you just as you are. People want to look at everyone and everything else before they turn to God. “Yet no one calls on your name or pleads with you for mercy. Therefore, you have turned away from us and turned us over to our sins. And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.” (Isaiah 64:7-8) Fortunately, God made a way for us to repent and turn to Him by sending His very own Son to make the way. When you do finally realize that without God you are unable to make the most of yourself, that’s when things begin to change. The clay cannot mold itself no matter how hard it tries. However, God, the Potter, cannot only mold His clay but He also knows what His original design of you was. He is both a Potter and an Architect with a Master Plan. Sometimes in this fallen world, people are born with birth defects that disrupt one or more of the intricate systems of the body. God foresaw even those defects and uses them for good when we look to Him. Even our weaknesses are fearfully and wonderfully made. A blind person can develop hearing beyond the normal capacity. Conjoined twins can teach us about getting along with one another, for they have to do it 24/7. Someone born without arms develops the ability to use their feet in wondrous ways. Another born without legs develops the upper body strength to get around smoothly. We all have weaknesses that sometimes make us feel like we are of no use. But God’s grace is sufficient to cover our weaknesses. More than that, God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses. Weaknesses keep me humble and leaning on God’s strength which is much more sufficient than my own. Should I always feel like I am "Fearfully and Wonderfully" made? No. Sin and pride always want to drag me back into my own way of thinking. The same thinking that kept me reaching for those mismatched pegs. Those thoughts tell me that I can do whatever I want, by myself, without God. They lie and they don’t even make sense. They say I can do anything but then turn around and also say that I’m not good enough to do what I want to do. Feelings can’t be trusted unless they line up with the Word of God. And the Word of God tells me that I’m fearfully and wonderfully made for a specific purpose. Therefore, with God’s help, I will walk in that purpose as often as I can. Whether I always feel it or not, I can trust God and His plans for my very life. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 Walk in Kingdom authority today. Rebuke the enemy in the name of Jesus and hold your head high. YOU are a Child of the King and you were born to wear a crown!
Open connection
pray continually 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Ok, so you’ve read this verse in your Bible and you’re thinking???????? Pray always? Does this mean that I have to walk around with my eyes closed and my hands folded bumping into things all the time? Not at all, but here’s a few things to take to heart on the subject: Who could be expected to keep their mind on God at all times? Surely God wouldn’t expect that of us, because He knows more than anyone how flawed we are, and how short our attention spans are. Except that nowhere in the Bible is there an asterisk after that verse that says, “*unless you’re really busy.” Here’s the good news. Not only is it possible to pray without ceasing, but it’s possible to do so without making any significant changes to your schedule or time commitments. It’s all about shifting your thought process and turning everyday moments into prayer. My friend Lisa gave me the best explanation I’ve ever heard: it’s like keeping the radio playing in the background. Keep that connection open and talk to God as you go through your day. Here are nine ways to pray without ceasing: 1. Begin with gratitude. Psalm 100:4 says “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” In other words, start by telling God what you’re thankful for. Prayer doesn’t have to be asking for something; it can simply be thanking Him from your heart for what He has already done. 2. Get real. If prayer had to be a stiff, formal language— “our most holy and mighty God, we beseech ye…”—first of all, we’d be bored and feel out of our element most of the time. And secondly, we would find it hard to keep that up for an extended period of time. But prayer is simply a conversation. Talk to Him the way you would talk to a friend. Sit down with a cup of coffee and just let the words pour out, casually, simply. Just be real. 3. Incorporate prayer into everyday chores. Let your everyday tasks become acts of worship by turning them into times of prayer. As you fold laundry, pray for each family member—and then if your laundry piles are as high as mine, and you’re done praying but not done folding, branch out from there. Pray for your child’s soccer teammates, for the teachers standing in front of your children’s classrooms, for the partner who works hard to pay the bills, for health to stay active, for the workplaces where the clothes are worn. Or simply give thanks for the warmth of the home where you relax in those pajamas. 4. Tell Him what He already knows. When my first child was in kindergarten, I realized that although I had a pretty good idea what she did at school, I didn’t need to know the details. But when she told me about how she and Jacob played at recess, or laughed as she tried to tell me the story her teacher read that day, it deepened my connection with my daughter. I got to see her life through her eyes and I reveled in her unique perspective. Of course, God already knows what’s in our hearts—but when we offer our thoughts to him, it turns what might be a solitary life into a richer, more meaningful relationship. And I think God delights in this. 5. Pray while you wait. Most of us waste a lot of time while we wait for our daily grande nonfat mochas—or whatever. A quick online search reports that we each average two years of our lives waiting in line, and the average commuter spends 38 hours a year in traffic. Turn your car into a prayer closet, or let your mind take you someplace else while the person in line ahead of you buys her drink using four nearly-empty gift cards and then empties her coin purse of pennies. Transform that “wasted” time into something meaningful—pray for the people you expect to encounter that day or the tasks you need to accomplish. Give thanks for your day, for the job paying for your favorite caffeinated beverage, for the young man working as a cashier to pay his college tuition, for the extravagant blessing of a giant store stocked with more products than we need. Count your blessings—because they’re everywhere—and make those minutes count. 6. Sing a song of praise. “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise” (James 5:13). Often, we think of prayer as what to do when we need God to fix something or when we’re unhappy. But the Bible encourages us to pray at all times. Remember the idea of prayer being like a radio playing in the background all the time? Make that literal by listening to worship music. As you sing along, offer it to God as your prayer. Or, better yet, make up your own song along the way. Nobody is listening but Him, so don’t worry if you’re out of tune. 7. When you mess up, admit it. I don’t know about you, but I could spend most of my praying-without-ceasing time simply confessing a litany of my sins and failings: I just yelled at my kids; I’m jealous of the perfect little family one my friends posts about daily on Facebook; so-and-so is a real jerk and I don’t like him… and so on. Luckily, when we confess, God forgives us, so we don’t need to dwell there. That in itself is another reason to praise Him. 8. Give up worrying. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” We’re not meant to worry, and we waste too many minutes doing just that. Next time something weighs heavy on your heart, envision yourself extending it up to God and letting Him hold it for you. Ask Him what your role is and if there is something you need to do; if so, do it. But don’t take back the weight of the worry. Then start thanking God for who He is and what He has already done for you, and you’ll feel the weight lifting off your shoulders as the words come. 9. Stop talking once in a while. Instead, just listen. “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7). The number (or quality) of words you use in prayer doesn’t matter, because prayer is about God, not about us. Allow yourself to contemplate the nearness of God. Trust that He is your constant companion. Don’t monopolize the dialogue, but spend some of your time just being, simply sitting and resting in His presence. And keep in mind that the best conversations are two-sided, but you won’t hear anything if you never stop to listen. So, you see, you can be in prayer mode always!! Total Surrender
"Surrender" is a military term which refers to ceasing resistance to an enemy or opponent and submitting to their authority. In the spiritual sense, we are in a battle between our will and the will of God. Since we are born sinful, we will always struggle with wanting to do the sinful thing (Romans 8:20-22; Romans 5:12). Just look at a 2-year old who doesn't get her cookie. No one taught her to throw a temper tantrum, but she will do it anyway because human beings are selfish and self-centered at the core. When we reach the age when we can make moral choices, we must CHOOSE. We have to decide if we will follow our own sinful desires and impulses or to follow God's will instead (Joshua 24:15). God promises that when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). When we find Him, we have a choice to make: do we continue following our own sinful will, or do we surrender to HIS will? Thus, giving up the fight against the sinful nature (Romans 6:13). The First Surrender If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you have already begun to surrender to God (John 6:44; Acts 2:21). When you decide to stop doing things to earn God's grace and rely totally on Jesus' work for our salvation, then you've surrendered to becoming a part of God's family (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21). As you continue your life as a new creation, you can continue surrendering parts of your life to Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill you with God's Glory instead (Ephesians 5:18). When we're filled with the Spirit, we start acting and talking more like Jesus (Galatians 5:22). The more we surrender to God, the more our old sinful nature is replaced God's nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25). What He's saying is that if we follow Him, we WIN the struggle—we are victors in the battle against sin. Surrendering to God in Day-to-Day Life Surrendering to God is not exactly about giving up total control over every single little thing. Obviously, we still need to make choices about our daily lives and plan for the future. Surrendering to God is more about aligning what you want with what God wants and being willing to follow Him as He guides you in your life. When it comes to schoolwork, mending a broken relationship, obeying your parents, or whatever, it can be hard to visualize what it means to surrender these things to God. Think of it this way: When you're deciding what to do in any given situation, you must CHOOSE to allow God to take the lead on what happens. Yes, study hard for your exam. Yes, take the time to speak in love to your friend. Yes, listen to your parents and respect them. But in the end, TRUST God with the results of those efforts. Proverbs 16:9 says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." The Point of Surrender Surrendering your life to Jesus is about choosing HIS way over yours. It's about TRUSTING that He is in control of the outcome. It's about deciding that your sin is not as important as fulfilling God's will. If surrendering still sounds scary to you, take heart—God’s plan for our lives will always benefit us (Jeremiah 29:11), unlike our own plans, which often lead to self-destruction (Proverbs 14:12). "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit' - yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." —James 4:13-17 The whole goal of the Christian life can really be summed up by Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." God loves and honors a life that is surrendered to Him, and He rewards that life with the greatest fulfillment you could ever imagine (Luke 6:22-23). "Bad company vs. Good character"
Have you ever thought that having friends could be a bad thing? Well, there are some reasons why we need to be careful with our friendships. Hollywood movies love to make stories about friendships where one of the parties turns out to be a psychopathic killer. It is relatively unlikely to happen to you, but there are other dangers with friendship. Exclusiveness One of the potential problems with friendships is exclusiveness. Just the fact of having some people as friends means that other people are not friends. It’s an easy step from choosing this person to excluding that person. The danger is that we start to become ‘exclusive’ and put ourselves up against other people. Exclusiveness is basically pride. Even when we have personal friends, we must not fall into the danger of thinking we and our friends are better than the rest of the world. Remember what Jesus says in Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets". Being led astray “Whom you hang with is whom you become like” Whether you consciously realize it or not, you are influenced by those whom you spend time with. When two or more people get an idea, stuff happens. World changing movements have come about because of friendships. The abolition of slavery, the reformation, the Renaissance, Marxism, female suffrage, the breakdown of apartheid -- all of these were fueled by friendships. Having others with us spurs us on and makes us strong to do things that would be impossible alone. However, the opposite can also be true. Friends can encourage us in behaviors that God would not want to see in us. They can also pressure us to skip youth group, or stop going to church. In the end, if our friendships are leading us away from Jesus, we need to take the advice of Proverbs 4: 14-15: Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it, turn from it and go on your way. Maybe today is a good day to examine your friendships. Are your friendships leading you away from Jesus? Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Corinthians 15:33 No friendship is worth risking your walk with God for… or your eternity. Walking by faith – the path to victory
How many times have you needed an answer from God as you try to walk by faith? I’m talking about a direct word from the Lord that will help you in your situation right here, right now. While we all know that God is eternal and doesn’t operate by our constraints of time, we can rest assured that He moves and acts on our behalf when we stand in faith on his Word. The phrase "walk by faith not by sight" comes from 2 Corinthians 5:6-7, which says, "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight." This is the ESV translation; other versions use the word "live" instead of "walk". Either way, it means the same thing. "Walk" is a metaphor for the way a person lives his or her life. (Like how "all walks of life" refers to a variety of different lifestyles or cultures.) Perspective for the Unseen The apostle Paul is telling us that we should live our lives by our faith in God and His Truth, both of which are unseen, both of which have eternal significance depending on what we do with them. Instead of chasing after the same things the world pursues, a Christian should focus on the unseen realities such as Jesus, Heaven, morality, purity, and the consequences of sin. Paul continues to explain what walking by faith means in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, which says, "So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please [God]. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." Before Paul said anything about this, Jesus was telling people to store up "treasures in Heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20; Luke 12:33). He promises eternal rewards to everyone who does His will (Matthew 16:27; 1 Peter 1:17; Revelation 22:12) and eternal punishment for those who reject Him (Matthew 25:24-46; John 3:16-18). These are both concepts that we can't see until after we die, but then it will be too late to make a decision about it. To walk by faith means that you recognize these unseen things as reality and live your life with the belief in eternal consequences/rewards in mind. You have faith in their existence, so you live your life in a way that reflects your acceptance of these unseen things being a reality. To walk by faith means that you fear God more than man. To walk by faith means that you believe and obey the Bible's commands before mankind's commands. To walk by faith means that you choose righteousness over sin, no matter what the cost. To walk by faith means that you trust God in every circumstance rather than going by your own wisdom. To walk by faith means that you believe God rewards those who seek Him, no matter what anyone else tells you (Hebrews 11:6). Rather than loving the things of this world (1 John 2:15–16), Christians should spend their lives glorifying God in everything they do (1 Corinthians 10:31). The only way we can do this is to have faith in the things of God that we cannot see, hear, or touch--those spiritual things that can only be believed in your heart. When we base our lives on the truth of God’s Word, rather than what the world is telling us to do, we are going against our natural desires and CHOOSING to believe in what we can't physically see—God and His Truth. For example, let's say you were given $1,000 and had to decide what to do with it. The world would say that it is totally acceptable to keep it all to yourself because the world is naturally wicked (Romans 3:10-18). But if you were to "live by faith" in biblical truth, you would choose to give to those in need (Luke 11:41; Ephesians 4:28) and not horde the money to yourself. Though you never personally saw the Bible being written, you have faith that it is God's Truth. Another example: The world may say that sex before marriage is perfectly fine, but those who walk by faith base their standards on the Bible, which says any sex outside of marriage is sin (1 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 5:3; Galatians 5:19). Walking by faith means that you CHOOSE to believe in what our unseen God says is best for our lives, rather than believing in what the world says. Basically, to walk by faith requires that we get really good at listening (and obeying!) the voice of the Holy Spirit and following the truth of God's Word (John 10:27; 16:13). We choose to live according to what God reveals to us, rather than trusting our own understanding or what the world tells us (Proverbs 3:5–6). Walking by faith is all about forward movement Walking by faith means that you are embarking upon a journey. Along this voyage, you will have to do more than just believe. You will have to be mindful of your thoughts, your words, and the actions you take – these are the fundamental steps to walk by faith in God. Here’s why: 1. Guard Your Thoughts. Thoughts are spiritual seeds. They are the starting point of what eventually manifests in your life. Your thoughts determine how you react to situations and how you carry yourself in the world. The things you think about also affect how you feel. In Philippians 4:8, God clearly gives us His standard of what we should think about. This is your key to walking in victory. Many times, when we are dealing with difficult situations, we are bombarded by negative thoughts. These thoughts include worry, doubt, and even tormenting fears. Our biggest battles are most often fought in our minds. Unless you guard your mind, you will continually walk in defeat. The Word of God says in Proverbs 4:23 that we are to guard our thoughts. Isaiah 26:3 gives us the assurance of perfect peace when our minds stay on Him. In order to walk by faith, you must be conscious of what you are thinking. Not only must you be conscious of your thoughts, you must also ensure that your thoughts are lining up with God’s standard. 2. Mind Your Mouth. What are you saying? It is easy to say “I’m trusting God” and “I’m waiting on Him”, but while you are waiting, what are you saying? Are you speaking faith about the situation or are you giving voice to doubt and fear? Stop for a minute and think about how you described your dilemma in your last conversation. Did you say “I don’t know how this will work out”, or “Things look so bad, I don’t know what I am going to do?” Your words must demonstrate your belief that God is working on your behalf. Matthew 12:37 shares that by your words you will be justified or condemned. The very words you speak out of your mouth will work in your favor, or they will work against you. It is up to you to decide. In order to walk by faith, you must also speak confidently and boldly as if the situation has already been resolved positively in your favor. You must speak in faith like it is already done! 3. What Are You Doing? The Word of God tells us that faith without works is dead. This means that we can’t simply pray and then delegate our work to God. He is not going to come down from His throne and do what He has given YOU the power and ability to do. Walking by faith means taking action. The walking requires setting a plan in place and doing the work that is required. So, what’s the play call? As we continue on this journey of walking by faith, let us be doers of the word, not just hearers only. (James 1:22) As you begin taking the steps of faith, be encouraged knowing that God will meet you on the path to your victory! Loving the mean people
In life, you will run into people that let you down and disappoint you. Sometimes people don’t say the right thing, or do the right thing. Perhaps they have bullied you or treated you unkindly. What do you do in situations like these when people aren’t treating you with the respect and care you feel like you deserve? God gives us some help in Matthew 5:44. Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! That kind of sounds like an impossible task. He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. That goes against what most of us want to do. We want to get even when someone treats us wrong. But the Bible says to love our enemies. How can we do that? It is really hard to love someone who isn’t doing or saying nice things to you. The good news is this: For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love – Romans 5:5 This verse shows us that God fills our hearts with His love. This is good news. That means that we don’t have to love our enemies on our own. God will give us the love to love our enemies with. God doesn’t ask us to do something that he doesn’t give us the power to do. Loving your enemies can be hard, but God gives us the love to do it with. So, no matter what a mean person has done to you, and no matter how bad someone might have hurt you, you still have the responsibility to respond back to them in love. The good news is that God will help you out by giving you the love to do it with. It’s just up to you to believe it and tap into that love that is on the inside of you. Loving mean people can be hard, but with God’s help you can do it! Soul cleansing power
After hearing a false teacher (a wolf in shepherd’s clothing) “preach” on this subject, the Lord put this on my heart to share with you. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 Guess what? You are a sinner. I’m a sinner. In fact, we were all born sinners; Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5 If I think I’m not a sinner, I’m only deceiving myself; If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8 Sin is a lethal virus that separates us from a righteous and Holy God. Because of our sin, we can’t have a relationship with God and … heaven? … That’s just out of the question. So, it begs the question – what to do? The fact is, God has already done it! All we have to do is accept His plan for ourselves. If you check out the Old Testament (that would be the first 39 books of the Bible), people’s sin was symbolically transferred to the head of an animal. Blood was shed, in fact a lot of blood was shed. The animal died in their place and this ceremony taught us some import and things about sin and forgiveness, but didn’t actually remove sin. It was only a covering, allowing them to live in God’s favor. Real cleansing from sin only came with Jesus; Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 You see guys, sin by its very nature brings death – emotional, physical, and spiritual. That is a fact – as sure as the law of gravity. Jesus didn’t die for his own sins because he was sinless. He had no sin, he couldn’t sin. (although, sad to say, there is a false theology out there that claims Jesus could have sinned if he wanted to). Jesus said in John 8:42 that he came from God. Anything that comes from God is pure and holy - completely without sin, incapable of sin – period. God’s plan was for Jesus to come as His perfect sacrificial Lamb. In an amazing transaction that we may fully never understand, Jesus died. He paid the price for your sin and mine. When we personally identify with ourselves with him, his death and shed blood, his sacrifice becomes our reality. We discover that it is only through his death that the penalty for our sin has been paid. His blood cleansed us. Just as he rose from the dead, we can rise to a new life of fellowship relationship with him (Check out Romans 6:4). My question to you is this; Has Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection become your reality? Have you experienced this soul cleansing power? IF you have surrendered your life to Christ, you are still human, you will still fall short sometimes and yes, you will sin. For a genuine Born-Again Christian, sin is to be the exception, not the rule. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 My prayer today that I hope you will make yours: Father God, search my heart, my thoughts and my motives. Cleanse me by the blood of Jesus. Purify me, and make me righteous and holy in your sight. Remove and purge away all that is not of you so that I can serve you unhindered with my whole heart and with every part of my life, fully surrendered to you. 35 reasons why we shouldn’t want to sin: Because a little sin leads to more sin. Because my sin invites the discipline of God. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders. Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart. Because I am doing what I do not have to do. Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be. Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin. Because my sin saddens the godly. Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice. Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost. Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership. Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience. Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent. Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss. Because my sin may influence others to sin. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ. Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin. Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time. Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin. Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony. Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins. Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin. Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body. Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless. Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both. Because my sin is adultery with the world. Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied. Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be. Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition. Because to sin is not to love Christ. Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe. Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it's own. Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life. Am I really saved ??
How do I know if Christ is in my life? Did you receive Christ into your life? According to his promise in Revelation 3:20, where is he? ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’ Knowing Jesus Christ is the most exciting relationship you can have. It is the beginning of a life of adventure with an all-loving, all-powerful God. If you have asked Christ to come into your life, you can be sure that your relationship with God is secure. As a result of Christ’s death on the cross, the only sufficient provision for a relationship with God, you have been completely forgiven and accepted by him. There are many exciting things that are true in your relationship with Christ. Understanding these truths will help you build a firm foundation on which to grow.
Feelings can be unreliable You might have expectations about how you should feel after placing your trust in Christ. While feelings are important, they are unreliable indicators of your sincerity or of the trustworthiness of God’s promise. Our feelings change easily, but God’s Word and his character remain constant. This illustration shows the relationship between fact (God and His Word), faith (our trust in God and His Word) and our feelings. Fact — this chair is strong enough to support you. Faith — You believe this chair will support you, so you sit in it. Feeling — You may or may not feel comfortable in this chair, but it continues to support you. The moment you received Christ by faith as an act of your will, many things happened, including the following: Christ came into your life—Revelation 3:20, Colossians 1:27 Your sins were forgiven—Colossians 1:14 You became a child of God—John 1:12 You received eternal life—John 5:24 You began the great adventure for which God created you—John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 2. Dealing with doubts Even though feelings are important, your relationship with Christ is based on facts, not on feelings that can change daily. Doubts, questions, and varying emotions are common to everyone, but they are very unreliable gauges of anyone’s relationship with Christ. The Christian is called to live by faith in the trustworthiness of God and his Word. But what if you don’t feel like a Christian tomorrow? Place your faith in the faithfulness of God himself and the trustworthiness of his Word. The more you learn, the more you will be able to answer any doubts with solid facts. Your feelings will begin to respond to the truth of God’s Word and not to your circumstances. Since you have trusted in Christ’s payment for your sin, understood the basis of your relationship with God, and learned five truths about your relationship, you can be confident in your relationship with Christ. Carefully go through the questions below to journey with Pastor Glenn and receive prayer. You’ll be able to talk through what you have learned. 1. Christ forgave your sins. In him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.... (Ephesians 1:7) What difference does it make to know that all of your sins have been forgiven? 2. Christ came into your life and he will never leave you. Jesus said, ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.’ (Revelation 3:20) Where is Christ right now in relation to you? 3. Christ made you a child of God. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in his name — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:12,13) What does one have to do to become a child of God? Have you done so? 4. How secure is your salvation? Under what circumstances might Christ leave you? "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) 5. What does it take to be saved? According to John 6:37, how many times is it necessary to receive Christ? All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 6. Christ gave you eternal life. "And this is the testimony; God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:11-13) In whom is eternal life found? Do you have eternal life? When did eternal life begin for you? Contact us, we’d love to chat and walk with you. No compromise – your choice It can be really easy to begin to compromise. Many times, you don’t even realize that you’ve compromised in an area. Compromises can happen in big areas of your life, but they also happen in the smaller ones too. Usually, compromise happens in small things. You wouldn’t probably go out and kill someone because that would be really WRONG. But you might tell a lie or cheat on your homework. It’s easy to justify small compromises. If left unchecked, small compromises will eventually lead you down a path that you never intended. Those small compromises can easily grow and before you realize it, you’re compromising in bigger areas too. Do you tell a lie to look better to others? Perhaps you decide to go to a party that you know your parents wouldn’t approve of. Do you date that guy in math class that is really cute, but who you know isn’t a good influence? Each day these small decisions that you make set the tone and direction for your life. Small Choices Matter Those small choices have gotten you to where you are at so far. Do you like the person you’ve become? Do you make godly choices even in the small things? Have you begun to compromise your beliefs? Have you given in, even a little bit? The good news is that if you have been compromising, Jesus offers us forgiveness and a fresh start. You can stop compromising and begin living a life full of character. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1John 1:9 You Can Choose to Not Compromise He’s ready to pick you up and help you get started on the right track. You can choose to make good decisions every day. Even though it isn’t always easy to choose to not compromise what you believe, you will be really glad that you made the choice to follow God and not compromise…even in the smallest areas! How Do You Break Free From Compromise? One of the best ways to break free from compromise is to spend more time with God. Instead of watching Netflix until late at night, switch that for some Bible time. If you don’t like to read, watch a Biblically solid preacher on YouTube or listen to Bible verses being read to you. Browse through The Patch and get involved 😊 To break free from compromise you’ve got to really get into God. If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:15 It’s so much easier to stay free from compromise when you’re into God. If you really seek God, you’ll find that you don’t want to compromise. You find that you just want to get to know God more. The more you get into God, the less fun the compromise is. So, if you’ve struggled with compromise, determine to make changes in your life. Choose to take a look at the books you’ve been reading, the friends you’ve been hanging out with, and the things you’ve been watching. Ask God to show you what to say no to so that you can say yes to Him! I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:7 |
We have a ton of previously posted Patch articles in the Archive Room . Click on the file cabinet to check them out.
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After a seemingly endless summer of sleeping in, family vacay, and tons of fun with friends…. The inevitable happens – school starts
Seven tips for back to school
1.) No fear
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Back to school is coming soon. And going back to school can cause all kinds of different emotions. Some are excited to see friends and get back to a more normal routine. Others, dread schoolwork and wished summer could continue forever.
Regardless of how you feel about going back to school, many will be headed there in the next few weeks.
With that in mind, this week, we’re going to look at a few things you can do to help your back to school experience go great.
Today’s back to school tip is don’t give in to fear.
I remember the day I started middle school. I was nervous about my locker combination. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to open it and get to my classes. It was my first time having a locker and it felt so overwhelming!
More than likely, there’s something about going back to school that causes fear. It might not be getting your locker open, but it could be fear that you’ll not keep up, or fear that you’ll not make friends this year or something else.
The thing about fear is that it’s often defeated when you change your focus. If you constantly focus on all the things that might go wrong, you’ll be upset and anxious for school to start.
Instead, focus on all the things that might go right. What if you and your teacher really click? What if you end up making amazing friends this year? What would happen if you focused your thoughts on the good what ‘ifs’ instead of focusing on what might go wrong.
2.) Believe the best
The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him
Psalm 37:40
Going back to school can be intimidating. Maybe you’re not that excited because you got the hard math teacher. Perhaps you’re upset because none of your friends are in your class.
Going back to school can be hard because there are a lot of unknowns. You’re not sure how the year will be and what will happen. Often unknowns lead to fear, or being upset about what’s to come.
That’s where believing the best comes in. You can pray and believe God that this year is going to be a good year for you. You can ask God to help you each step of the way.
Ask Him for wisdom to understand the hard subjects. Go to Him for help when you need friends. You’ll be amazed at how much God can help you this year if you’ll simply choose to believe the best.
God’s got good things in store for you this year. Trust Him and ask Him for His help and see how He will help you have a great year.
Is there something that you’re concerned about in the upcoming school year? Email the Patch with your comments, we’d love to pray for you about it!
3.) Look for the opportunities
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
This year has been a really difficult one. Most of us had no idea the effect that COVID would have on our world. And it’s easy to be so upset about how it’s inconvenienced our lives that we forget that others around us are hurting too.
So, this year, as you go back to school, be sure to look for opportunities to help others.
Ask God to show you someone you could help or encourage. It might be a simple thing like asking someone to sit at your lunch table so they don’t have to eat alone. Don’t be afraid to go out of your way to help others.
As you look for ways to help others, it will end up bringing you joy. So be sure to look for ways to help others around you this year. It will help make your school year more fun for you too!
4.) Don’t compare
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Have you noticed how easy it is to compare yourself to others? Perhaps you noticed that someone has a better phone than you do. Or maybe another person just always seems to say the right thing at the right time and everyone likes them.
It’s so easy to see what others have, compare it to what you have, and feel like you fall short.
The problem with comparison is that it will always leave you unhappy and unfulfilled.
Today’s Tip: Quit Comparing
So, if you’ve been guilty of comparing yourself to others determine this school year to stop. There’s always going to be someone smarter than you. If not at your school then in college. There’s always going to be a better athlete than you. And if you compare your performance and your worth to how you measure up to others, you’ll always be disappointed.
This year, decide to quit comparing yourself to others and be happy with who you are.
What are some ways you’ve found helpful to be happy with what you have?
5.) Work hard
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Romans 12:11
It’s fun to sit and scroll through your Instagram feed, or spend hours playing your favorite video game. If we’re honest, we’d all probably say we’d rather play games than work hard.
And there’s no denying games and social media are way more fun than hard work, don’t forget that hard work pays off in the long run.
Whatever you do, whether it’s your schoolwork, your job, or doing things around your house, don’t forget that there are benefits to working hard. As you develop a good work ethic now, it makes it easier for you to get a good job later.
The decisions you make each day about whether to do your best in your school work or to do your best at home or in your job are creating habits. Laziness now, will show up on your job later. It may cost you a promotion when you’re an adult. So today, challenge yourself to work hard at all you do. It will pay off in your habits as an adult.
6.) Keep focused
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3
To be successful at school, you’ve got to focus. What you put your focus on makes a huge difference. You might see students that get good grades and think, well, they’re just so smart. I’m not as smart as them, so I can’t get as good of grades.
In many cases, that’s not true. Often, getting good grades is more of doing the right things. For example, it might be doing an extra credit worksheet for math to bump up your grade. Sometimes, it’s just going to class and really paying attention instead of passing notes with your friends.
What you focus on matters if you want to do well academically. Often, your grades can be improved simply by paying attention in class and doing a few extra things.
The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus. Bruce Lee
That quote is really true. Often successful people are just average people who really focus on getting better in an area. So, if you’ve let yourself slip into getting just ok grades, ask yourself honestly if there are some areas where you could improve.
Finally, ask God, if there are any areas where you could put in a little more focus and see good results. God wants to help guide you into success this school year.
7.) Help others
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Philippians 2:4
School is starting up, and you might not be all that excited. Maybe you’re schooling online and you’re dreading it. Or perhaps you’re meeting in person, but you know that you’ll be wearing masks and the idea of something itchy on your face is driving you crazy.
It’s easy with all the stuff that isn’t good happening right now to be selfish and upset. And of course, that’s understandable. Your school year probably isn’t exactly what you had in mind.
However, if you want to have a great year this year, challenge yourself to be helpful. If you’re at home, see what you can do around the house to help out. Maybe you can start the dishwasher. Your mom would totally freak out.
Perhaps you can help the new kid figure out his locker combination, or help a teacher collect papers at the end of class.
As you practice being helpful, not only does it help others but it helps you too. You begin to take the focus off yourself and put it on others. That’s what God wants us to do as Christians. We should be looking for opportunities to do whatever we can to help others.
Seven tips for back to school
1.) No fear
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Back to school is coming soon. And going back to school can cause all kinds of different emotions. Some are excited to see friends and get back to a more normal routine. Others, dread schoolwork and wished summer could continue forever.
Regardless of how you feel about going back to school, many will be headed there in the next few weeks.
With that in mind, this week, we’re going to look at a few things you can do to help your back to school experience go great.
Today’s back to school tip is don’t give in to fear.
I remember the day I started middle school. I was nervous about my locker combination. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to open it and get to my classes. It was my first time having a locker and it felt so overwhelming!
More than likely, there’s something about going back to school that causes fear. It might not be getting your locker open, but it could be fear that you’ll not keep up, or fear that you’ll not make friends this year or something else.
The thing about fear is that it’s often defeated when you change your focus. If you constantly focus on all the things that might go wrong, you’ll be upset and anxious for school to start.
Instead, focus on all the things that might go right. What if you and your teacher really click? What if you end up making amazing friends this year? What would happen if you focused your thoughts on the good what ‘ifs’ instead of focusing on what might go wrong.
2.) Believe the best
The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him
Psalm 37:40
Going back to school can be intimidating. Maybe you’re not that excited because you got the hard math teacher. Perhaps you’re upset because none of your friends are in your class.
Going back to school can be hard because there are a lot of unknowns. You’re not sure how the year will be and what will happen. Often unknowns lead to fear, or being upset about what’s to come.
That’s where believing the best comes in. You can pray and believe God that this year is going to be a good year for you. You can ask God to help you each step of the way.
Ask Him for wisdom to understand the hard subjects. Go to Him for help when you need friends. You’ll be amazed at how much God can help you this year if you’ll simply choose to believe the best.
God’s got good things in store for you this year. Trust Him and ask Him for His help and see how He will help you have a great year.
Is there something that you’re concerned about in the upcoming school year? Email the Patch with your comments, we’d love to pray for you about it!
3.) Look for the opportunities
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
This year has been a really difficult one. Most of us had no idea the effect that COVID would have on our world. And it’s easy to be so upset about how it’s inconvenienced our lives that we forget that others around us are hurting too.
So, this year, as you go back to school, be sure to look for opportunities to help others.
Ask God to show you someone you could help or encourage. It might be a simple thing like asking someone to sit at your lunch table so they don’t have to eat alone. Don’t be afraid to go out of your way to help others.
As you look for ways to help others, it will end up bringing you joy. So be sure to look for ways to help others around you this year. It will help make your school year more fun for you too!
4.) Don’t compare
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Have you noticed how easy it is to compare yourself to others? Perhaps you noticed that someone has a better phone than you do. Or maybe another person just always seems to say the right thing at the right time and everyone likes them.
It’s so easy to see what others have, compare it to what you have, and feel like you fall short.
The problem with comparison is that it will always leave you unhappy and unfulfilled.
Today’s Tip: Quit Comparing
So, if you’ve been guilty of comparing yourself to others determine this school year to stop. There’s always going to be someone smarter than you. If not at your school then in college. There’s always going to be a better athlete than you. And if you compare your performance and your worth to how you measure up to others, you’ll always be disappointed.
This year, decide to quit comparing yourself to others and be happy with who you are.
What are some ways you’ve found helpful to be happy with what you have?
5.) Work hard
Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Romans 12:11
It’s fun to sit and scroll through your Instagram feed, or spend hours playing your favorite video game. If we’re honest, we’d all probably say we’d rather play games than work hard.
And there’s no denying games and social media are way more fun than hard work, don’t forget that hard work pays off in the long run.
Whatever you do, whether it’s your schoolwork, your job, or doing things around your house, don’t forget that there are benefits to working hard. As you develop a good work ethic now, it makes it easier for you to get a good job later.
The decisions you make each day about whether to do your best in your school work or to do your best at home or in your job are creating habits. Laziness now, will show up on your job later. It may cost you a promotion when you’re an adult. So today, challenge yourself to work hard at all you do. It will pay off in your habits as an adult.
6.) Keep focused
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3
To be successful at school, you’ve got to focus. What you put your focus on makes a huge difference. You might see students that get good grades and think, well, they’re just so smart. I’m not as smart as them, so I can’t get as good of grades.
In many cases, that’s not true. Often, getting good grades is more of doing the right things. For example, it might be doing an extra credit worksheet for math to bump up your grade. Sometimes, it’s just going to class and really paying attention instead of passing notes with your friends.
What you focus on matters if you want to do well academically. Often, your grades can be improved simply by paying attention in class and doing a few extra things.
The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus. Bruce Lee
That quote is really true. Often successful people are just average people who really focus on getting better in an area. So, if you’ve let yourself slip into getting just ok grades, ask yourself honestly if there are some areas where you could improve.
Finally, ask God, if there are any areas where you could put in a little more focus and see good results. God wants to help guide you into success this school year.
7.) Help others
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Philippians 2:4
School is starting up, and you might not be all that excited. Maybe you’re schooling online and you’re dreading it. Or perhaps you’re meeting in person, but you know that you’ll be wearing masks and the idea of something itchy on your face is driving you crazy.
It’s easy with all the stuff that isn’t good happening right now to be selfish and upset. And of course, that’s understandable. Your school year probably isn’t exactly what you had in mind.
However, if you want to have a great year this year, challenge yourself to be helpful. If you’re at home, see what you can do around the house to help out. Maybe you can start the dishwasher. Your mom would totally freak out.
Perhaps you can help the new kid figure out his locker combination, or help a teacher collect papers at the end of class.
As you practice being helpful, not only does it help others but it helps you too. You begin to take the focus off yourself and put it on others. That’s what God wants us to do as Christians. We should be looking for opportunities to do whatever we can to help others.
“How about the money”
Whether you’ve got your first job, received birthday money from your grandma, or just made some sweet cash mowing lawns or selling candy, you’re always faced with a challenge: ‘what do I do with the money?’ Do you go on a spending spree? Blowing all your cash on candy, shoes or a new video game? You’ve got cash, but what’s the best way to handle it?
With that in mind, we’ve come up with 10 quick tips about money:
Spend less than you make.
Don’t borrow cash from your dad, brother, best friend or the guy that has the locker next to yours. If you don’t have the cash to pay for something right now, then wait to buy it. Choose to spend less than you make.
Resist impulse spending.
This can be tricky. You go shopping and find some awesome shoes. You didn’t know you needed shoes until you saw THOSE shoes. Then you knew, you had to HAVE them. Impulse spending can lead to some stupid purchases, but most importantly, impulse spending can cause you not to have enough money to pay for the things that really matter. Choose to take your time and think it through before spending lots of money.
Put God first.
This is one of the hardest things to do when it comes to spending your money. You might think that you’ll give to your church when you get older, or when you make more money. However, putting God first in your spending is the best way to set yourself up for financial success in the long run. Giving to God is the best financial decision you can make. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing, that there will not be room enough to receive it. – Mal 3:10 (MEV)
Making giving a priority.
Giving is a concept that doesn’t really make sense to our brains, but its rewards are incredible. It seems that the more you give, the more you have. So, whether its buying your friend a soda when they’ve had a bad day, or giving to a missions project, giving should always be a priority in your life!
Give, and you will receive.
Your gift will return to you in full–pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” – Luke 3:38 (NLT)
Run from debt.
Don’t make debt a habit. It can be tempting to ask your friend for some money to cover the cost of your candy bar, but don’t make that a habit. Debt is a trap, so don’t start. Choose to avoid it at all costs.
Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. – Proverbs 22:7 (NLT)
Save for a rainy day.
Doing this will set you apart from a lot of people. Begin when you’re young to save. Don’t spend everything you make. Choose to set some aside so that when you really need money, it’s there for you.
Learn from others.
One of the best things you can do when it comes to money is watch and learn from others. There are people in your life who have made good decisions with their finances. Get in touch with them. See what things have helped them succeed and do the same thing in your life. Learn from the decisions of others.
Learn about money.
Read up on some blogs about money. Talk to your grandpa about money, whatever you do, become a learner about money. Find out how it works and how you can be better with the money you have.
Don’t obsess about money.
It can be easy to make money a huge obsession in your life. You can make all your decisions based on it. It can become such a big part of your life that it hurts your relationship with God. Never let money become an obsession in your life. Money is simply a tool, not something to become consumed with.
Realize you’ll make mistakes.
You’re going to make mistakes with your money. You’re going buy something that was totally worthless. You’re going to invest in something and lose it all. However, each dumb purchase or mistake that you make, is a great way to learn. If you let them, the mistakes you make will help you become wiser and be better with your money.
These simple money tips will help you to become better at managing your money. However, learning to be good with money isn’t something you’re born with, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t always make good choices. Learn from your mistakes and keep God at the forefront, and you’ll come out okay when it comes to your finances.
Don’t give up …Press on
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Although Christians are called to be like Christ, we continue to make mistakes. We have not "arrived" yet. We fail. In fact, we'll never obtain complete sanctification until we stand before the Lord. But God uses our imperfections to "grow us" in faith.
We have a problem to deal with called "the flesh." Our flesh pulls us toward sin and away from the prize of the upward call. Our flesh keeps us painfully aware of our need to diligently press on toward the goal.
The Apostle Paul was laser-focused on the race, the goal, the finish line. Like an Olympian runner, he would not look back at his failures. Now, remember, Paul was Saul who persecuted the church violently. He played a part in the stoning of Stephen, and he could have let guilt and shame cripple him for that. But Paul forgot the past. He didn't dwell on his sufferings, beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonment. He looked forward resolutely toward the finish line where he would see the face of Jesus Christ.
The author of the book of Hebrews, possibly Paul, made a similar statement in Hebrews 12:1-2:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Paul knew that God alone was the source of his salvation as well as the source of his spiritual growth. The closer we get to completion, the more we realize how much further we have to go to become like Christ.
So, be encouraged by Paul's emphasis here on forgetting the past and straining forward to what lies ahead. Don't let yesterday's failures derail you from the goal of your upward call. Press on for the prize until you meet the Lord Jesus at the finish line.
Don’t ever give up, just keep pressing on!!
Is purity possible?
When it comes to sex, our culture has told you some whopper lies. One of the biggest lies is that waiting is unrealistic. Another is that “everybody is doing it.”
We’re going to tackle the lies head and look at some proof that sex is at its best when it is saved for marriage.”
So, what is wrong with sex? Answer…. wait for it - NOTHING IS WRONG WITH SEX. It might surprise you to know that sex was actually invented by God. Anything created by God is pure, right, and beautiful. In his Word, God lays out the guidelines for intimacy. Not to cramp your style but so that this beautiful gift he created could be enjoyed to its maximum and that is – within the bonds of marriage.
As a teen today, you must navigate this cultural morass just at a time when hormonal surges and emerging feelings are making life confusing enough. But what happens when faith gets thrown into the mix? How does being a Christian affect a teenager's perceptions and responses in this sex-drenched society?
Some teens are already having sex, not realizing the emotional and physical consequences. Other Christian teens are not having sexual intercourse, but doing everything but "going all the way." This brings up the question, "How far is too far?" Knowing what the Bible says about sex and understanding the lies about sex can help you remain abstinent and focus on purity.
God knows what will hurt you, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. His guidelines are there for your protection and because he loves you so much.
In order to experience maximum sex and intimacy, make it a goal that on your wedding night you will be an amateur in sex and a professional at your relationship.
Here’s a few thoughts from teens:
"I know the Bible says you can't have sex before marriage. But why can't you, if you're in love with the person? It doesn't feel wrong. —Kendra, 14
"My boyfriend and I don't want to mess around anymore. But how do we keep this commitment? I never realized how powerful passion can be." —Shari, 15
"Kids at school are pressuring me and my girlfriend to have sex. I want to wait until marriage, but I worry about how this makes me look." —Darryl, 17
"I feel cut off from God. I want to do what's right, but I can't seem to. Recently I had sex with a guy, thinking that it would bring us closer. I know now that was a mistake, and I feel totally ashamed." —Aimee, 16
A lot of Christian teens are having sex and suffering painful, sometimes devastating consequences. Meanwhile, those not having sex are thinking a lot about it, many of them wavering between fear and curiosity.
Many Christian teens who are dealing with issues of sexual purity and God-honoring relationships. YOU ARE NOT ALONE ON THIS
Did you know that 47 percent of graduating seniors are virgins by their own admission? If you are waiting, YOU might be tempted to feel like the only virgin on the planet, but it simply isn’t true. There are millions of young people around the world who are choosing to wait to have sex until they are married. Those who have made it to the altar without giving away the gift of their virginity will tell you it was worth it. It is realistic for you to be able to wait because God would not call you to purity if it was impossible.
So, will God forgive me if I’ve already lost my virginity?
Answer – YES.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
With confession comes something called REPENTANCE – Being genuinely sorry for the sin we’ve committed, turning from it and turning to God. Confession of sin isn’t a license to sin. Habitually sinning is wrong. Not only does it break the heart of God, it destroys the fellowship relationship you have with him.
Ask God to search your heart and all areas of your life today. Ask him to forgive you and cleanse you and give you what it takes walk in purity before him.
As hard as it may be to you, God will give you the courage and strength to stand up for purity. If you honor God in your commitment, He will honor you and I promise you, it will be worth it!
Here’s some passages for you to meditate on and pray about:
1 Corinthians 6:13
You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
2 Corinthians 7:11
See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
2 Timothy 2:21
Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 5:22
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Proverbs 16:2
All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
Proverbs 20:11
Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?
Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 119:9
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
Romans 13:14
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Titus 2:5
to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
2 Corinthians 6:6-7
in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
Philippians 2:14-15
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
Psalm 24:3-4
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.
Luke 11:34-35
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.
1 Peter 3:1-3
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;
Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
When it comes to sex, our culture has told you some whopper lies. One of the biggest lies is that waiting is unrealistic. Another is that “everybody is doing it.”
We’re going to tackle the lies head and look at some proof that sex is at its best when it is saved for marriage.”
So, what is wrong with sex? Answer…. wait for it - NOTHING IS WRONG WITH SEX. It might surprise you to know that sex was actually invented by God. Anything created by God is pure, right, and beautiful. In his Word, God lays out the guidelines for intimacy. Not to cramp your style but so that this beautiful gift he created could be enjoyed to its maximum and that is – within the bonds of marriage.
As a teen today, you must navigate this cultural morass just at a time when hormonal surges and emerging feelings are making life confusing enough. But what happens when faith gets thrown into the mix? How does being a Christian affect a teenager's perceptions and responses in this sex-drenched society?
Some teens are already having sex, not realizing the emotional and physical consequences. Other Christian teens are not having sexual intercourse, but doing everything but "going all the way." This brings up the question, "How far is too far?" Knowing what the Bible says about sex and understanding the lies about sex can help you remain abstinent and focus on purity.
God knows what will hurt you, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. His guidelines are there for your protection and because he loves you so much.
In order to experience maximum sex and intimacy, make it a goal that on your wedding night you will be an amateur in sex and a professional at your relationship.
Here’s a few thoughts from teens:
"I know the Bible says you can't have sex before marriage. But why can't you, if you're in love with the person? It doesn't feel wrong. —Kendra, 14
"My boyfriend and I don't want to mess around anymore. But how do we keep this commitment? I never realized how powerful passion can be." —Shari, 15
"Kids at school are pressuring me and my girlfriend to have sex. I want to wait until marriage, but I worry about how this makes me look." —Darryl, 17
"I feel cut off from God. I want to do what's right, but I can't seem to. Recently I had sex with a guy, thinking that it would bring us closer. I know now that was a mistake, and I feel totally ashamed." —Aimee, 16
A lot of Christian teens are having sex and suffering painful, sometimes devastating consequences. Meanwhile, those not having sex are thinking a lot about it, many of them wavering between fear and curiosity.
Many Christian teens who are dealing with issues of sexual purity and God-honoring relationships. YOU ARE NOT ALONE ON THIS
Did you know that 47 percent of graduating seniors are virgins by their own admission? If you are waiting, YOU might be tempted to feel like the only virgin on the planet, but it simply isn’t true. There are millions of young people around the world who are choosing to wait to have sex until they are married. Those who have made it to the altar without giving away the gift of their virginity will tell you it was worth it. It is realistic for you to be able to wait because God would not call you to purity if it was impossible.
So, will God forgive me if I’ve already lost my virginity?
Answer – YES.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
With confession comes something called REPENTANCE – Being genuinely sorry for the sin we’ve committed, turning from it and turning to God. Confession of sin isn’t a license to sin. Habitually sinning is wrong. Not only does it break the heart of God, it destroys the fellowship relationship you have with him.
Ask God to search your heart and all areas of your life today. Ask him to forgive you and cleanse you and give you what it takes walk in purity before him.
As hard as it may be to you, God will give you the courage and strength to stand up for purity. If you honor God in your commitment, He will honor you and I promise you, it will be worth it!
Here’s some passages for you to meditate on and pray about:
1 Corinthians 6:13
You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
2 Corinthians 7:11
See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
2 Timothy 2:21
Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 5:22
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Proverbs 16:2
All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
Proverbs 20:11
Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?
Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 119:9
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
Romans 13:14
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Titus 2:5
to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
2 Corinthians 6:6-7
in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
Philippians 2:14-15
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
Psalm 24:3-4
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.
Luke 11:34-35
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.
1 Peter 3:1-3
Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;
Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Help me God, I’m freaking out!!
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”
John 14:27
Right now, my heart wants to be troubled. My heart wants to be afraid. There are so many unknowns about the future.
Jesus gives us the peace and assurance that He’s always with us. We can choose to cling to that peace or let our hearts get crushed with worry.
Jesus was getting ready to ascend to heaven when He spoke about this peace. His disciples didn’t want Him to leave them on earth.
But He didn’t leave them. He gave them His Holy Spirit. They weren’t alone.
And neither are we.
Instead of automatically worrying when a scary event draws near, we need to train ourselves to turn to Christ.
Prevent panic
There are many ways to stop yourself from going into panic mode:
1. Read God’s promises over and over and over. Cement them in your mind. Write them on your mirror, your hand, or your notebook. His peace can calm you if you let it.
2. Always talk to God. You can let go of your worries by telling them to Christ. Pray for His strength and direction.
3. Surround yourself with those who are older and wiser than you. Older Christians have been through a lot more of life’s battles than you have. They know how to fight them and how to help you when you’re tempted to worry.
4. Find some encouraging, worshipful music that reminds you of Who God is. Try Hillsong United, Lauren Daigle, or Moriah Peters.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Remind yourself of important truths
These are promises from God's Word:
1. God will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
2. You belong to God, and no one can take you away from Him (John 10:28-29).
3. God works all things together for good for those who love him and are called by Him (Romans 8:28).
4. Nothing can separate us from God’s incredible love (Romans 8:38-39).
Don’t forget about them.
Instead of freaking out every time you hear another update, why not read a Psalm, talk to your Savior, and listen to some worship music for a little while?
And remember God is with you.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”
John 14:27
Right now, my heart wants to be troubled. My heart wants to be afraid. There are so many unknowns about the future.
Jesus gives us the peace and assurance that He’s always with us. We can choose to cling to that peace or let our hearts get crushed with worry.
Jesus was getting ready to ascend to heaven when He spoke about this peace. His disciples didn’t want Him to leave them on earth.
But He didn’t leave them. He gave them His Holy Spirit. They weren’t alone.
And neither are we.
Instead of automatically worrying when a scary event draws near, we need to train ourselves to turn to Christ.
Prevent panic
There are many ways to stop yourself from going into panic mode:
1. Read God’s promises over and over and over. Cement them in your mind. Write them on your mirror, your hand, or your notebook. His peace can calm you if you let it.
2. Always talk to God. You can let go of your worries by telling them to Christ. Pray for His strength and direction.
3. Surround yourself with those who are older and wiser than you. Older Christians have been through a lot more of life’s battles than you have. They know how to fight them and how to help you when you’re tempted to worry.
4. Find some encouraging, worshipful music that reminds you of Who God is. Try Hillsong United, Lauren Daigle, or Moriah Peters.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Remind yourself of important truths
These are promises from God's Word:
1. God will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
2. You belong to God, and no one can take you away from Him (John 10:28-29).
3. God works all things together for good for those who love him and are called by Him (Romans 8:28).
4. Nothing can separate us from God’s incredible love (Romans 8:38-39).
Don’t forget about them.
Instead of freaking out every time you hear another update, why not read a Psalm, talk to your Savior, and listen to some worship music for a little while?
And remember God is with you.
Does God really care??
Where is God when disaster strikes? Whether it comes wreaking havoc in our private world or whether we see it in mammoth proportions on our TV screen, we can’t help but question and wonder.
Does God care when tragedy sweeps in unexpectedly and tears at the very fiber of our being with inexpressible grief? The answer is “yes!” Yet to find the comfort He offers we must first get past the questions.
When Jesus walked this earth, He told His followers that in this world there would be trouble. Since the beginning of time there has been struggle on this earth –germs and weeds, storms and insects, people problems and money problems. The Bible tells us that God set things in motion on this earth. The seasons come and the seasons go and God does not necessarily intervene in every one.
Was this God’s fault?
When we find ourselves appalled at the overwhelming things happening in life, we cannot always determine the source. It may be the world and the forces of nature set in motion at the foundation of the world; it may be consequences of our own flesh and choices we have made; it may be spiritual opposition from the enemy of our soul or it may come from the very hand of God.
We can agonize over the possibilities as we seek to answer the heart wrenching, “Why?” Yet we cannot understand God nor can we always determine the answer to the difficult “why?” even though we try desperately.
The hope that we have in times of severe circumstances and agonizing grief is the knowledge that God does care and He will help us through. Often our unanswered questions leave us blaming God and we distance ourselves from the very One who can bring comfort to the anguished heart.
So, is God on my side?
We know God sees everything that happens to us. Nothing is a surprise to Him. We wish He would intervene and stop the pain. We wish children did not die and loved ones were not lost. As our lives play out on planet earth, we find ourselves with a choice to make.
We can believe God is a God of love or we can turn from Him in anger. We can believe that His heart is always for us or we can believe He is cruel and mean. Running to Him in the middle of our anguish will take us into His arms of comfort. Pushing Him away will leave us alone with desperation in our souls.
The main theme running through the Bible is God’s great love for us. Over and over He tells us that He sent His son, Jesus, to this earth to heal broken hearts. Even King David, known to be a man after God’s heart, went through times of great tears to the point that those around him questioned, “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42) Yet he also knew how the Lord took note of his anguish and recorded his tears (Psalm 56:8). He ran to God for strength in his despair.
There is still hope for us
When we simply cannot understand the twists and turns of our path, we can run to the One who will anchor us. He doesn’t promise our lives will be free of trouble, yet He does promise to hold us close through it all. Never doubt God’s love and care. He hurts when we hurt. His son, Jesus, went up the agonizing hill to the cross and understands the deep anguish the soul can plunge to. That’s why we can trust Him to be with us in our times of overwhelming stress.
God continually calls us to come to Him with our burdens and find rest for our souls. (Matthew 11:28-29).
He invites us to cast our worries on Him because He cares. (1 Peter 5:7).
He invites us to come to His throne and ask for mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16).
He will be our Comforter in sorrow when our heart is faint. (Jeremiah 8:18).
He offers strength when we are weak. (Philippians 4:13).
He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3).
When our minds cannot comprehend the tragic events we find ourselves in…our hearts can reach to the God of all Comfort to find the strength we need to get through today and to know that there will be help and hope for tomorrow.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Are you feeling broken? hurting? Alone and lost? - GOD CARES
Sufficient Grace
I gave a homeless man five minutes of my time, a smile, and a chance to earn a few dollars. In return he taught me a valuable lesson.
Honestly, I had tried to avoid him at first. I saw him walking toward me as I pushed my grocery cart across the parking lot. He wore cutoff jeans, a t-shirt with holes in it, and some beat-up sneakers. His curly hair hung in a ponytail down to the middle of his back.
“Can I wash your windows for some spare change, ma’am?”
I hesitated trying to remember if I had any cash on me. I finally said, “OK.”
“What? Really?” A grin spread across his face revealing a few missing teeth. “Wow.” He shook his head. “You caught me off guard ma’am.”
I wondered how many people had said “no.”
When I drove off a few minutes later, my windows sparkled. He smiled and waved.
Back at my apartment, I unloaded my groceries and wondered, “Do I show God the same kind of gratitude for His good and perfect gifts that this man showed me? If I don’t give thanks in good circumstances, how will I ever manage to do so during the not-so-good times?”
The Apostle Paul gave thanks locked in a prison cell or shipwrecked on an island just as readily as in the company of good friends. In his letter to the Philippians, he encouraged his readers to do the same: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
Paul seems almost super-human in his contentment, doesn’t he? No food? No problem! Imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks? Praise God! But what about the rest of us ordinary humans? For those who have watched a loved one die, or for those who have known the heartbreak of a lost romance, the command to “rejoice always” seems near impossible to carry out. But I have good news. God does not leave us stranded on our own islands of discontentment. Later in his letter to the Philippians, Paul shares his secret: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Paul assumes that the Christian empowered by Christ can do the nearly impossible.
How to Rejoice Again
Paul also gives some “how-tos” to help his readers on their way.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).
1. Don’t Worry
We read in Luke’s Gospel where Jesus said, who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:25-26). In this crazy world we take great measures to protect ourselves from harm. When we buy a car, we check consumer reports for the safety rating. When we buy a house, we ask about the neighborhood’s crime rate. When we buy a carton of eggs, we check to make sure none have already cracked.
And yet we know that at some point bad things will happen. So, what do we do? We buy insurance: car insurance, health insurance, life insurance, home owner’s insurance, insurance for floods, fire, wind. There comes a time when we’ve done everything we can do. At this point we should sit back, kick up our feet, and give it to God, but instead we worry.
Worrying comes naturally to me. If this describes you too, don’t fret. When that familiar feeling comes, you and I can remind ourselves that we have direct access through Jesus Christ to the God of all creation, and then go to Him in prayer. We can present our requests to God and remember to give thanks.
2. Give Thanks
When I took a typing class, my fingers moved clumsily across the keyboard. I made a lot of mistakes, and I typed slowly. Today when I type, my fingers move of their own accord, with little conscious direction from me. The muscles in my hand seem to perform automatically. Our minds work the same way. Once we establish a habit, we can use that built-in muscle memory to our advantage. Paul instructs his readers to dwell on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” (Philippians 4:8) for that very purpose. The more we think about praiseworthy gifts, the more we will give thanks and praise.
Let’s start by thanking God for the small things, the things we take for granted. When we wake up in the morning, let’s thank God for our comfortable beds. As we go through our morning routines, let’s thank Him for indoor plumbing and a hot shower. We can thank God for a pantry full of food, and the electricity that keeps our refrigerators cold. When we imagine life without these conveniences, we realize how big these “small” things truly are. Look around your home. For what can you thank God?
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul instructs his readers to Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16–17). How many times have we prayed to know God’s will or searched the Scriptures for answers? Right in this verse Paul says it plainly: God wants us to give thanks continually. Establishing thankful habits will prepare us to give thanks even in the not-so-good times.
God does not promise His followers lives free of suffering. You will experience failure, loss, a broken heart and more – that’s life. When Paul pleaded with God to remove a painful circumstance in his life, God answered “No.” But He also said, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). God did not remove Paul’s pain, but He did enable Paul to praise Him through it.
Maybe like Paul you have experienced a depth of pain unfathomable to most. Maybe you feel like no one understands and you are all alone. But God’s truth remains true through any crisis. He commands us to give thanks in all circumstances, because in hard times a thankful heart leads us out of our pain.
Thanksgiving is not a quick-fix for our pain. Even in the most dire circumstances, we can find relief from our grief when we lift up a prayer of sincere thanks to God. When we see God and His good gifts through our pain, healing eventually comes, and through that process we learn worship. That worship turns our suffering into joy and our mourning into gladness.
After my encounter with the homeless man, as I was shelving my "basic necessities," which happened to include ice cream, I thanked God for His provision and the gift this man had given me. His abundant gratitude for my meager offering made me keenly aware of the meager gratitude I offer to God for His abundance. While I filled my refrigerator, thanks filled my heart, and I realized that God’s command to give thanks is a gift in itself.
I gave a homeless man five minutes of my time, a smile, and a chance to earn a few dollars. In return he taught me a valuable lesson.
Honestly, I had tried to avoid him at first. I saw him walking toward me as I pushed my grocery cart across the parking lot. He wore cutoff jeans, a t-shirt with holes in it, and some beat-up sneakers. His curly hair hung in a ponytail down to the middle of his back.
“Can I wash your windows for some spare change, ma’am?”
I hesitated trying to remember if I had any cash on me. I finally said, “OK.”
“What? Really?” A grin spread across his face revealing a few missing teeth. “Wow.” He shook his head. “You caught me off guard ma’am.”
I wondered how many people had said “no.”
When I drove off a few minutes later, my windows sparkled. He smiled and waved.
Back at my apartment, I unloaded my groceries and wondered, “Do I show God the same kind of gratitude for His good and perfect gifts that this man showed me? If I don’t give thanks in good circumstances, how will I ever manage to do so during the not-so-good times?”
The Apostle Paul gave thanks locked in a prison cell or shipwrecked on an island just as readily as in the company of good friends. In his letter to the Philippians, he encouraged his readers to do the same: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
Paul seems almost super-human in his contentment, doesn’t he? No food? No problem! Imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks? Praise God! But what about the rest of us ordinary humans? For those who have watched a loved one die, or for those who have known the heartbreak of a lost romance, the command to “rejoice always” seems near impossible to carry out. But I have good news. God does not leave us stranded on our own islands of discontentment. Later in his letter to the Philippians, Paul shares his secret: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Paul assumes that the Christian empowered by Christ can do the nearly impossible.
How to Rejoice Again
Paul also gives some “how-tos” to help his readers on their way.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).
1. Don’t Worry
We read in Luke’s Gospel where Jesus said, who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:25-26). In this crazy world we take great measures to protect ourselves from harm. When we buy a car, we check consumer reports for the safety rating. When we buy a house, we ask about the neighborhood’s crime rate. When we buy a carton of eggs, we check to make sure none have already cracked.
And yet we know that at some point bad things will happen. So, what do we do? We buy insurance: car insurance, health insurance, life insurance, home owner’s insurance, insurance for floods, fire, wind. There comes a time when we’ve done everything we can do. At this point we should sit back, kick up our feet, and give it to God, but instead we worry.
Worrying comes naturally to me. If this describes you too, don’t fret. When that familiar feeling comes, you and I can remind ourselves that we have direct access through Jesus Christ to the God of all creation, and then go to Him in prayer. We can present our requests to God and remember to give thanks.
2. Give Thanks
When I took a typing class, my fingers moved clumsily across the keyboard. I made a lot of mistakes, and I typed slowly. Today when I type, my fingers move of their own accord, with little conscious direction from me. The muscles in my hand seem to perform automatically. Our minds work the same way. Once we establish a habit, we can use that built-in muscle memory to our advantage. Paul instructs his readers to dwell on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” (Philippians 4:8) for that very purpose. The more we think about praiseworthy gifts, the more we will give thanks and praise.
Let’s start by thanking God for the small things, the things we take for granted. When we wake up in the morning, let’s thank God for our comfortable beds. As we go through our morning routines, let’s thank Him for indoor plumbing and a hot shower. We can thank God for a pantry full of food, and the electricity that keeps our refrigerators cold. When we imagine life without these conveniences, we realize how big these “small” things truly are. Look around your home. For what can you thank God?
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul instructs his readers to Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16–17). How many times have we prayed to know God’s will or searched the Scriptures for answers? Right in this verse Paul says it plainly: God wants us to give thanks continually. Establishing thankful habits will prepare us to give thanks even in the not-so-good times.
God does not promise His followers lives free of suffering. You will experience failure, loss, a broken heart and more – that’s life. When Paul pleaded with God to remove a painful circumstance in his life, God answered “No.” But He also said, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). God did not remove Paul’s pain, but He did enable Paul to praise Him through it.
Maybe like Paul you have experienced a depth of pain unfathomable to most. Maybe you feel like no one understands and you are all alone. But God’s truth remains true through any crisis. He commands us to give thanks in all circumstances, because in hard times a thankful heart leads us out of our pain.
Thanksgiving is not a quick-fix for our pain. Even in the most dire circumstances, we can find relief from our grief when we lift up a prayer of sincere thanks to God. When we see God and His good gifts through our pain, healing eventually comes, and through that process we learn worship. That worship turns our suffering into joy and our mourning into gladness.
After my encounter with the homeless man, as I was shelving my "basic necessities," which happened to include ice cream, I thanked God for His provision and the gift this man had given me. His abundant gratitude for my meager offering made me keenly aware of the meager gratitude I offer to God for His abundance. While I filled my refrigerator, thanks filled my heart, and I realized that God’s command to give thanks is a gift in itself.
Praying through the stress
We’ve all been there, maybe you are there now as I am. Currently, we are in the process of selling our house where we’ve lived for nearly 30 years. We’ve put an offer on another one and our offer was accepted. A beautiful home – exactly what we’ve been praying for. But our house has to sell. The people buying our house are working with their bank but it’s a slow process. As I write this for the Patch, I must confess I’ve lost sleep and my stomach is in knots. What to do? How do I get through the “what if’s??
Here’s what God has given me to share with you;
Here are three ways to pray through worry.
1. Focus first on relationship
First and foremost, God desires a relationship with us. In considering the earthly relationships in my life, I recognize in them the characteristics that I value: dependability, faithfulness, love, honesty, and caring. Are these not the same traits we ascribe to God, our Father, our Abba? God loves us so much that He longs for us to draw near to Him at all times of the day. What better way to spend our nighttime hours than to fill our thoughts with Him and be in quiet communion, even when no words are spoken aloud.
2. Rest in God’s authority
Second, if we truly believe that God’s hand is present in all situations and that He allows us to experience the difficult for a good purpose, then can we not believe that there is blessing in every circumstance, even when we can't see the end result? Acknowledging His wisdom, especially in the depths of despair, affirms His authority in our lives and gives us an assurance and a strength that would normally not be ours.
3. Be comforted by His presence
Finally, it is a comfort to know that we are not alone. While we may rely steadily on those we love, we know that it is God alone who will be there consistently, in the light of day or the dark of night. Scripture tells us that our Father never sleeps, and so we know that when we pray, He is there.
In these three simple, yet powerful, reasons — relationship, authority and presence — we can find relief when we pray ourselves to sleep. The problems will still be there in the morning (with new ones added) but we will wake rested, with a grateful heart, ready to walk with a God who loves us.
We’ve all been there, maybe you are there now as I am. Currently, we are in the process of selling our house where we’ve lived for nearly 30 years. We’ve put an offer on another one and our offer was accepted. A beautiful home – exactly what we’ve been praying for. But our house has to sell. The people buying our house are working with their bank but it’s a slow process. As I write this for the Patch, I must confess I’ve lost sleep and my stomach is in knots. What to do? How do I get through the “what if’s??
Here’s what God has given me to share with you;
Here are three ways to pray through worry.
1. Focus first on relationship
First and foremost, God desires a relationship with us. In considering the earthly relationships in my life, I recognize in them the characteristics that I value: dependability, faithfulness, love, honesty, and caring. Are these not the same traits we ascribe to God, our Father, our Abba? God loves us so much that He longs for us to draw near to Him at all times of the day. What better way to spend our nighttime hours than to fill our thoughts with Him and be in quiet communion, even when no words are spoken aloud.
2. Rest in God’s authority
Second, if we truly believe that God’s hand is present in all situations and that He allows us to experience the difficult for a good purpose, then can we not believe that there is blessing in every circumstance, even when we can't see the end result? Acknowledging His wisdom, especially in the depths of despair, affirms His authority in our lives and gives us an assurance and a strength that would normally not be ours.
3. Be comforted by His presence
Finally, it is a comfort to know that we are not alone. While we may rely steadily on those we love, we know that it is God alone who will be there consistently, in the light of day or the dark of night. Scripture tells us that our Father never sleeps, and so we know that when we pray, He is there.
In these three simple, yet powerful, reasons — relationship, authority and presence — we can find relief when we pray ourselves to sleep. The problems will still be there in the morning (with new ones added) but we will wake rested, with a grateful heart, ready to walk with a God who loves us.
Loving Someone You Don't Really Like
Jesus revolutionized love. He showed us that to love we often have to disregard personal comfort and convenience. Jesus demonstrated love to the fullest, putting it into action even when it was really painful.
No one forced Jesus to leave heaven and come to earth. But his love compelled him. He didn’t want to just stand by and watch the world suffer. He volunteered for the rescue mission. He chose to experience suffering to show us what love really looks like. In the words of the Message, The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood (John 1:14a).
The Son shared in the glory of the Father (John 17:5), but he left it behind to grow up as one of us and experience our pain. And how did the world thank him? A few welcomed him as Savior, but most ridiculed him and rejoiced in his brutal murder.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8)!
How does our love compare? Do we cling to comfort, or do we willingly give it up to help those in need? Do we readily forgive others, or is it a bit like pulling teeth? I know I need a whole lot of help to love like Jesus. I look at his perfect, selfless love and feel like a total failure. I could say, “Hey, look, I’m no Jesus; God doesn’t expect that kind of love to come from me!” Or does he?
Here’s the kicker. I’m not off the hook. Jesus actually commands us to love one another: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34). Jesus also said, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27). OK, so I am called to love others, to forget about my own comfort and convenience and reach out to those I don’t really like, even to those who might hate me.
Sounds impossible! Well, that’s because it is. This kind of love isn’t going to flow naturally from our hearts. There isn’t a switch we can just flick on. This love is not from this world. It can only come from God himself.
So, what hope do we have of demonstrating this kind of love? The key is faith. We can only love this way through trusting in the one who embodies love. Think about that difficult person you butt heads with at work or at school, or that rough individual you feel God is calling you to reach out to, or someone in your family with whom you have a broken or rocky relationship. Would you dare to trust God to love that person through you?
Here are 5 steps to loving by faith:
Remember how much Jesus loves you. Read through the stories of his crucifixion and regain that sense of awe at all he gave up to secure your freedom.
Confess the limitations of your own love. Jesus knew none of us would measure up. That’s why he sent his Spirit to pour out his love in our hearts (Romans 5.5).
Surrender the difficult relationship to him. Place the person’s negative responses to you in his hands. Ask God to heal any emotional scarring you have from this person and enable you to totally forgive them.
Ask him to show you how to manifest his love to them. You don’t have what it takes, but he does. Trust that his Spirit will give you the words to say in times of conflict, and that he will show you what actions you can do to demonstrate his love.
Choose love. When pain and frustrations with this person surface, you need to choose to depend on the Spirit’s power to bless and not curse, to sacrifice your time and energy and not just retreat for self-preservation.
As you take these steps, your attitude will begin to change. You will be amazed at the transformation that will take place in your heart through faith. Love — the real Jesus kind of love — will be taking root in you. When you put yourself in the place of total dependence on the Spirit to love, he always proves himself faithful. His Spirit will speak to your heart and teach you how to let Christ love this person through you, even when it’s painful. He will give you the strength to love as he commands. And the joy it will bring will be out-of-this-world — literally, cause it is only possible because Jesus loved us enough to move into the neighborhood and love us back to the Father.
Jesus revolutionized love. He showed us that to love we often have to disregard personal comfort and convenience. Jesus demonstrated love to the fullest, putting it into action even when it was really painful.
No one forced Jesus to leave heaven and come to earth. But his love compelled him. He didn’t want to just stand by and watch the world suffer. He volunteered for the rescue mission. He chose to experience suffering to show us what love really looks like. In the words of the Message, The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood (John 1:14a).
The Son shared in the glory of the Father (John 17:5), but he left it behind to grow up as one of us and experience our pain. And how did the world thank him? A few welcomed him as Savior, but most ridiculed him and rejoiced in his brutal murder.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8)!
How does our love compare? Do we cling to comfort, or do we willingly give it up to help those in need? Do we readily forgive others, or is it a bit like pulling teeth? I know I need a whole lot of help to love like Jesus. I look at his perfect, selfless love and feel like a total failure. I could say, “Hey, look, I’m no Jesus; God doesn’t expect that kind of love to come from me!” Or does he?
Here’s the kicker. I’m not off the hook. Jesus actually commands us to love one another: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34). Jesus also said, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27). OK, so I am called to love others, to forget about my own comfort and convenience and reach out to those I don’t really like, even to those who might hate me.
Sounds impossible! Well, that’s because it is. This kind of love isn’t going to flow naturally from our hearts. There isn’t a switch we can just flick on. This love is not from this world. It can only come from God himself.
So, what hope do we have of demonstrating this kind of love? The key is faith. We can only love this way through trusting in the one who embodies love. Think about that difficult person you butt heads with at work or at school, or that rough individual you feel God is calling you to reach out to, or someone in your family with whom you have a broken or rocky relationship. Would you dare to trust God to love that person through you?
Here are 5 steps to loving by faith:
Remember how much Jesus loves you. Read through the stories of his crucifixion and regain that sense of awe at all he gave up to secure your freedom.
Confess the limitations of your own love. Jesus knew none of us would measure up. That’s why he sent his Spirit to pour out his love in our hearts (Romans 5.5).
Surrender the difficult relationship to him. Place the person’s negative responses to you in his hands. Ask God to heal any emotional scarring you have from this person and enable you to totally forgive them.
Ask him to show you how to manifest his love to them. You don’t have what it takes, but he does. Trust that his Spirit will give you the words to say in times of conflict, and that he will show you what actions you can do to demonstrate his love.
Choose love. When pain and frustrations with this person surface, you need to choose to depend on the Spirit’s power to bless and not curse, to sacrifice your time and energy and not just retreat for self-preservation.
As you take these steps, your attitude will begin to change. You will be amazed at the transformation that will take place in your heart through faith. Love — the real Jesus kind of love — will be taking root in you. When you put yourself in the place of total dependence on the Spirit to love, he always proves himself faithful. His Spirit will speak to your heart and teach you how to let Christ love this person through you, even when it’s painful. He will give you the strength to love as he commands. And the joy it will bring will be out-of-this-world — literally, cause it is only possible because Jesus loved us enough to move into the neighborhood and love us back to the Father.
Covid19 got you rattled?
Are you afraid of the coronavirus? If you are, I don’t blame you! It really is pretty scary that something this dangerous is sweeping the world, and it’s affecting all of our daily lives.
But God doesn’t want us to live in fear. So here are some big truths from the Bible to remember when you’re feeling afraid!
God is in control
Coronavirus is scary because it feels like we are out of control. But the truth is, we are never actually in control – God is!
Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Even when we feel like we’re in control, God actually is. So, don’t worry: God hasn’t lost control of the situation! And even when you feel out of control, remember that God is always in control.
God has a plan
Right now, a lot of us are having to cancel our plans for things like parties, social gatherings, vacays, graduation ceremonies, proms, and even weddings. School might be cancelled and your parents might be working from home. All of our plans are up in the air!
Let Romans 8:28 encourage you: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Even when you can’t make a plan, God has a plan: a BIG plan to work for your good and your salvation.
God is with you
Maybe coronavirus will mean you end up in self-isolation or quarantine, unable to see your friends or wider family. Maybe you won’t be able to go to church or youth group or your school Christian group. You might start feeling lonely, and that loneliness might make you more scared.
But Joshua 1:9 tells us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God will be with you no matter what happens – even if you get coronavirus! He will not leave your side and with him, you will never be truly alone.
There is an end in sight
If nothing else comforts you, and the world seems truly broken, you can remember the fact that this world is temporary. Jesus died so that you could have eternal life in a place where there will be no diseases, no lockdowns, no terrifying 24-hour news cycle…
Instead, Revelation 21:1-5 gives us this glimpse of the new creation:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Coronavirus will not last forever here on earth. But more importantly, there is an eternity ready for you, where absolutely nothing will go wrong.
Are you afraid of the coronavirus? If you are, I don’t blame you! It really is pretty scary that something this dangerous is sweeping the world, and it’s affecting all of our daily lives.
But God doesn’t want us to live in fear. So here are some big truths from the Bible to remember when you’re feeling afraid!
God is in control
Coronavirus is scary because it feels like we are out of control. But the truth is, we are never actually in control – God is!
Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Even when we feel like we’re in control, God actually is. So, don’t worry: God hasn’t lost control of the situation! And even when you feel out of control, remember that God is always in control.
God has a plan
Right now, a lot of us are having to cancel our plans for things like parties, social gatherings, vacays, graduation ceremonies, proms, and even weddings. School might be cancelled and your parents might be working from home. All of our plans are up in the air!
Let Romans 8:28 encourage you: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Even when you can’t make a plan, God has a plan: a BIG plan to work for your good and your salvation.
God is with you
Maybe coronavirus will mean you end up in self-isolation or quarantine, unable to see your friends or wider family. Maybe you won’t be able to go to church or youth group or your school Christian group. You might start feeling lonely, and that loneliness might make you more scared.
But Joshua 1:9 tells us, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God will be with you no matter what happens – even if you get coronavirus! He will not leave your side and with him, you will never be truly alone.
There is an end in sight
If nothing else comforts you, and the world seems truly broken, you can remember the fact that this world is temporary. Jesus died so that you could have eternal life in a place where there will be no diseases, no lockdowns, no terrifying 24-hour news cycle…
Instead, Revelation 21:1-5 gives us this glimpse of the new creation:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Coronavirus will not last forever here on earth. But more importantly, there is an eternity ready for you, where absolutely nothing will go wrong.
God interruption
The call to follow Christ is not without challenges or inconvenience. Although many of us like to set our days in order and plan for months at a time, we soon find that God has a way of interrupting our day with divine appointments that lead to life change.
Grab a Bible and read Acts 16:16-40.
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas encounter a very unusual interruption. Since their arrival in Philippi, a number of women had heard the message of Jesus Christ. Ministry was going very well. People were turning to Christ. If Paul had set ministry goals, he was right on target.
But then things got disturbing and downright brutal. While on the way to pray, they were approached by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination. Her owners were making a lot of money from her, so when Paul cast out the evil spirit, they were enraged and got Paul and Silas beaten and thrown in jail.
This divine interruption was turning out to be a pretty crazy situation, but it didn’t get them down. Their songs of praise echoed off the walls throughout the night. And then an earthquake threw off the shackles of all the inmates. The story ends with the jailer and his entire household believing in Christ.
What would happen if you woke up each morning inviting God to interrupt you as he pleases? Listen to the Holy Spirit today and imagine the adventures of faith you would experience! How would it feel to be used by God to transform lives?
The call to follow Christ is not without challenges or inconvenience. Although many of us like to set our days in order and plan for months at a time, we soon find that God has a way of interrupting our day with divine appointments that lead to life change.
Grab a Bible and read Acts 16:16-40.
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas encounter a very unusual interruption. Since their arrival in Philippi, a number of women had heard the message of Jesus Christ. Ministry was going very well. People were turning to Christ. If Paul had set ministry goals, he was right on target.
But then things got disturbing and downright brutal. While on the way to pray, they were approached by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination. Her owners were making a lot of money from her, so when Paul cast out the evil spirit, they were enraged and got Paul and Silas beaten and thrown in jail.
This divine interruption was turning out to be a pretty crazy situation, but it didn’t get them down. Their songs of praise echoed off the walls throughout the night. And then an earthquake threw off the shackles of all the inmates. The story ends with the jailer and his entire household believing in Christ.
What would happen if you woke up each morning inviting God to interrupt you as he pleases? Listen to the Holy Spirit today and imagine the adventures of faith you would experience! How would it feel to be used by God to transform lives?
The Real Life
Most people have a strong desire to improve this world and their own lives. Why? Because deep down they know that the world is not as it should be. It’s still broken in many ways, and so are we. We’re all part of the story of redemption and healing that God has been writing since the beginning of Creation.
CREATED FOR LIFE
God created us to live life to the fullest. To know him personally, with nothing coming between us. Never hurting others or being hurt. To enjoy the world he made for us. To live with joy, purpose, and meaning every day.
Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person (Genesis 2:7).
SEPARATED FROM LIFE
But the first human beings turned their backs on God and the amazing life he was offering them. That’s how death, pain, evil, and loneliness became part of our human existence. Through that one rebellious choice, our access to eternal life was cut off. “Not fair,” we might say. But we’re all sinners. Deep down, we know we do the same thing as those first humans did: we put ourselves first, choosing our own way over God’s.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 6:23).
RESTORED FOR LIFE
Jesus came to bring us back to life. On the cross, the Son of God died for us. He paid full price for all our rebellion and defeated evil. Then he proved it by coming back to life forever. Now he offers full, true, eternal life to anyone who’s willing to trust in him and in what he did for us. It’s a free gift — but it still costs us our pride. We go from death to life when we stop living for ourselves and instead trust Jesus enough to give him everything and follow him.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
(John 10:10b).
But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel
(2 Timothy 1:10).
CHOOSE LIFE
You have a choice. From this point on your life can go in one of two directions:
You can stay in charge of your life, separated from the wonderful life Jesus is offering you.
OR
You can give your life to Jesus and discover a relationship with God that starts to change you from the inside out. You’ll know purpose and meaning and experience the joy of being totally forgiven. You’ll start to find healing from your past and learn how to really love. You’ll be fully alive, now and forever, as you experience Jesus living in you through his Spirit.
HOW TO CHOOSE THAT LIFE
Acknowledge that you have sinned — you have chosen to live your way instead of God’s, and, as a result, you have disobeyed God, harming yourself and others.
Thank Jesus for dying on the cross to deliver you from the penalty of all the wrong you have done.
Believe that Jesus rose from the dead to offer you a new, eternal life with him.
Invite Jesus to direct your life so you can love others in his strength.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9).
Here’s a suggested prayer to help you commit your life to Jesus:
Father, I’ve lived life autonomously for way too long — disobeying you, and, in that process, harming others and myself. I believe that Jesus died to free me from all evil and pay the penalty my wrongdoing deserved. Please forgive me and cleanse me because of his sacrifice for me. Thank you that Jesus did not remain dead. You raised him to life. I accept the free gift of a new, eternal life with you that Jesus offers. My life is now yours. Please enable me to live your way by coming to dwell in me by your Spirit. Amen.
Most people have a strong desire to improve this world and their own lives. Why? Because deep down they know that the world is not as it should be. It’s still broken in many ways, and so are we. We’re all part of the story of redemption and healing that God has been writing since the beginning of Creation.
CREATED FOR LIFE
God created us to live life to the fullest. To know him personally, with nothing coming between us. Never hurting others or being hurt. To enjoy the world he made for us. To live with joy, purpose, and meaning every day.
Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person (Genesis 2:7).
SEPARATED FROM LIFE
But the first human beings turned their backs on God and the amazing life he was offering them. That’s how death, pain, evil, and loneliness became part of our human existence. Through that one rebellious choice, our access to eternal life was cut off. “Not fair,” we might say. But we’re all sinners. Deep down, we know we do the same thing as those first humans did: we put ourselves first, choosing our own way over God’s.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 6:23).
RESTORED FOR LIFE
Jesus came to bring us back to life. On the cross, the Son of God died for us. He paid full price for all our rebellion and defeated evil. Then he proved it by coming back to life forever. Now he offers full, true, eternal life to anyone who’s willing to trust in him and in what he did for us. It’s a free gift — but it still costs us our pride. We go from death to life when we stop living for ourselves and instead trust Jesus enough to give him everything and follow him.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
(John 10:10b).
But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel
(2 Timothy 1:10).
CHOOSE LIFE
You have a choice. From this point on your life can go in one of two directions:
You can stay in charge of your life, separated from the wonderful life Jesus is offering you.
OR
You can give your life to Jesus and discover a relationship with God that starts to change you from the inside out. You’ll know purpose and meaning and experience the joy of being totally forgiven. You’ll start to find healing from your past and learn how to really love. You’ll be fully alive, now and forever, as you experience Jesus living in you through his Spirit.
HOW TO CHOOSE THAT LIFE
Acknowledge that you have sinned — you have chosen to live your way instead of God’s, and, as a result, you have disobeyed God, harming yourself and others.
Thank Jesus for dying on the cross to deliver you from the penalty of all the wrong you have done.
Believe that Jesus rose from the dead to offer you a new, eternal life with him.
Invite Jesus to direct your life so you can love others in his strength.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9).
Here’s a suggested prayer to help you commit your life to Jesus:
Father, I’ve lived life autonomously for way too long — disobeying you, and, in that process, harming others and myself. I believe that Jesus died to free me from all evil and pay the penalty my wrongdoing deserved. Please forgive me and cleanse me because of his sacrifice for me. Thank you that Jesus did not remain dead. You raised him to life. I accept the free gift of a new, eternal life with you that Jesus offers. My life is now yours. Please enable me to live your way by coming to dwell in me by your Spirit. Amen.
Eye on the prize
In my time of ministry, I have seen many people profess personal faith in Christ. Some went full- on to serve God and sadly, others through discouragement, or a bad relationship seemed to grow cold. Some seemed to lose sight of the finish line and dropped out of the race – going back to their old ways and life styles. Sad and heartbreaking to watch someone abandon the cross for other things.
It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
2 Peter 2:21
The Christian life is not always an easy road. Sometimes we get off track. So, even in seasons of hurt, temptation and discouragement, how do we stay the course and run the race all the way to the finish line?
The Bible says in the book of Hebrews to encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ daily so that no one turns away from the living God.
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
If you're feeling far away from the Lord and think you might be backslidden, these practical steps will help get right with God and back on course today. Each of these practical steps is backed by a passage (or passages) from the Bible.
Everything You Will Need
A Bible
A Daily Relationship with God
A Christian Friend
A solid Bible Teaching Church
Examine your faith-life regularly.
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV):
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
If you find yourself drifting away, turn back immediately.
Hebrews 3:12-13 (NIV):
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Come to God daily for forgiveness and cleansing.
1 John 1:9 (NIV):
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Revelation 22:14 (NIV):
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Continue daily seeking the Lord with your whole heart.
1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV):
And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Stay in the Word of God; keep studying and learning daily.
Proverbs 4:13 (NIV):
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
Stay in fellowship often with other believers.
You can’t make it alone as a Christian. We need the strength and prayers of other believers.
Hebrews 10:25
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.
Stand firm in your faith and expect difficult times in your Christian life.
Matthew 10:22 (NIV):
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Galatians 5:1 (NIV):
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Persevere.
1 Timothy 4:15-17 (NIV):
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Run the race to win.
1 Corinthians 9: 24-25 (NIV):
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training ... we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV):
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness...
Remember what God has done for you in the past.
Hebrews 10:32, 35-39 (NIV):
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised … we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed but of those who believe and are saved.
Develop a daily habit of spending time with God. Habits are hard to break.
Memorize favorite Bible verses to recall in difficult times.
Listen to Christian music to keep your mind and heart in tune with God.
Develop a Christian friendship so that you'll have someone to call when you feel weak.
Get involved in a meaningful project with other Christians.
Be encouraged, focus on the finish line and never give up!
-Pastor Glenn
In my time of ministry, I have seen many people profess personal faith in Christ. Some went full- on to serve God and sadly, others through discouragement, or a bad relationship seemed to grow cold. Some seemed to lose sight of the finish line and dropped out of the race – going back to their old ways and life styles. Sad and heartbreaking to watch someone abandon the cross for other things.
It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
2 Peter 2:21
The Christian life is not always an easy road. Sometimes we get off track. So, even in seasons of hurt, temptation and discouragement, how do we stay the course and run the race all the way to the finish line?
The Bible says in the book of Hebrews to encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ daily so that no one turns away from the living God.
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
If you're feeling far away from the Lord and think you might be backslidden, these practical steps will help get right with God and back on course today. Each of these practical steps is backed by a passage (or passages) from the Bible.
Everything You Will Need
A Bible
A Daily Relationship with God
A Christian Friend
A solid Bible Teaching Church
Examine your faith-life regularly.
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV):
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
If you find yourself drifting away, turn back immediately.
Hebrews 3:12-13 (NIV):
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Come to God daily for forgiveness and cleansing.
1 John 1:9 (NIV):
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Revelation 22:14 (NIV):
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
Continue daily seeking the Lord with your whole heart.
1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV):
And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Stay in the Word of God; keep studying and learning daily.
Proverbs 4:13 (NIV):
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
Stay in fellowship often with other believers.
You can’t make it alone as a Christian. We need the strength and prayers of other believers.
Hebrews 10:25
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.
Stand firm in your faith and expect difficult times in your Christian life.
Matthew 10:22 (NIV):
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Galatians 5:1 (NIV):
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Persevere.
1 Timothy 4:15-17 (NIV):
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Run the race to win.
1 Corinthians 9: 24-25 (NIV):
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training ... we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV):
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness...
Remember what God has done for you in the past.
Hebrews 10:32, 35-39 (NIV):
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised … we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed but of those who believe and are saved.
Develop a daily habit of spending time with God. Habits are hard to break.
Memorize favorite Bible verses to recall in difficult times.
Listen to Christian music to keep your mind and heart in tune with God.
Develop a Christian friendship so that you'll have someone to call when you feel weak.
Get involved in a meaningful project with other Christians.
Be encouraged, focus on the finish line and never give up!
-Pastor Glenn
Free cheese
Every summer, we seem to host a few mice in our garage ☹. My weapon? A little mouse trap with a tempting piece of cheese and peanut butter – gets them every time.
One of Satan’s greatest tricks is temptation.
We face temptations every day. If we're not armed with tools to overcome those temptations, we're more than likely going to give in to them instead of resisting them.
At some point, our desire to sin will rise up in the form of gluttony, greed, sex, gossip, cheating, or something else (you can fill in the blank). Some temptations are minor and easy to overcome, but others seem too enticing to resist. Remember, though, that temptation is not the same thing as sin. Even Jesus was tempted. We sin only when we give into the temptation.
Identify Your Temptations
Everyone is different, so it's important to know your weak areas. Which temptations are difficult for you to overcome? Some people may find that gossip is more alluring than sex. Others may find that even holding your date's hand is too much of a temptation. When you know what tempts you the most, you can be proactive about fighting that temptation.
Pray About Temptations
Once you know the temptations that are difficult for you to overcome, you can begin to pray for them. For instance, if gossip is your great temptation, then pray every night for the strength to overcome your desire to gossip. Ask God to help you walk away when you find yourself in situations where people are gossiping. Pray for wisdom to discern when information is gossip and when it is not.
Avoid Temptations
The most effective way to overcome temptation is to avoid it altogether. For instance, if premarital sex is a temptation, then you can avoid being in situations where you might find yourself giving into that desire. If you are prone to cheating, then you may want to position yourself during a test so that you cannot see the paper of the person next to you.
Use the Bible for Inspiration
The Bible contains advice and guidance for every area of life, so why not turn to it for overcoming temptation? 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptation." Jesus battled temptation with the Word of God. Let truth from the Bible inspire you in moments of temptation. Try looking up what the Bible says about your areas of temptation so that you're ready when the need arises.
Use the Buddy System
Do you have a friend or leader that you can trust to guide you in facing your temptations? Sometimes it helps to have someone you can talk to about your struggles or even brainstorm practical ways you can avoid temptation. You may even ask to meet regularly with your friend to hold yourself accountable.
Use Positive Language
What does positive language have to do with overcoming temptation? In Matthew 12:34, Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." When our language is faith-filled, it reflects our heartfelt belief in God, that he can and will help us overcome the desire to sin. Stop saying things like, "It's too hard," "I can't," or "I'll never be able to do this." Remember, God can move mountains. Try changing how you approach the situation and say, "God can help me overcome this," "God's got this," or "This is not too hard for God."
Give Yourself Alternatives
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Bible states that God can show you how to escape from your temptation. Are you looking for the way of escape God has promised you? If you know your temptations, you can give yourself alternatives. For instance, if you are tempted to lie to protect another person's feelings, try considering other ways to say the truth in a way that won't wound. You can speak the truth with love. If your friends are doing drugs, try developing new friendships. Alternatives aren't always easy, but they can be the path God creates for you to overcome temptation.
It's Not the End of the World
We all make mistakes. No one is perfect. That is why God offers forgiveness. While we should not sin because we know we'll be forgiven, we should know that God's grace is available when we do. Consider 1 John 1:8-9, "If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn't in our hearts. But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away," Know that God will always be here ready to catch us when we fall.
Every summer, we seem to host a few mice in our garage ☹. My weapon? A little mouse trap with a tempting piece of cheese and peanut butter – gets them every time.
One of Satan’s greatest tricks is temptation.
We face temptations every day. If we're not armed with tools to overcome those temptations, we're more than likely going to give in to them instead of resisting them.
At some point, our desire to sin will rise up in the form of gluttony, greed, sex, gossip, cheating, or something else (you can fill in the blank). Some temptations are minor and easy to overcome, but others seem too enticing to resist. Remember, though, that temptation is not the same thing as sin. Even Jesus was tempted. We sin only when we give into the temptation.
Identify Your Temptations
Everyone is different, so it's important to know your weak areas. Which temptations are difficult for you to overcome? Some people may find that gossip is more alluring than sex. Others may find that even holding your date's hand is too much of a temptation. When you know what tempts you the most, you can be proactive about fighting that temptation.
Pray About Temptations
Once you know the temptations that are difficult for you to overcome, you can begin to pray for them. For instance, if gossip is your great temptation, then pray every night for the strength to overcome your desire to gossip. Ask God to help you walk away when you find yourself in situations where people are gossiping. Pray for wisdom to discern when information is gossip and when it is not.
Avoid Temptations
The most effective way to overcome temptation is to avoid it altogether. For instance, if premarital sex is a temptation, then you can avoid being in situations where you might find yourself giving into that desire. If you are prone to cheating, then you may want to position yourself during a test so that you cannot see the paper of the person next to you.
Use the Bible for Inspiration
The Bible contains advice and guidance for every area of life, so why not turn to it for overcoming temptation? 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptation." Jesus battled temptation with the Word of God. Let truth from the Bible inspire you in moments of temptation. Try looking up what the Bible says about your areas of temptation so that you're ready when the need arises.
Use the Buddy System
Do you have a friend or leader that you can trust to guide you in facing your temptations? Sometimes it helps to have someone you can talk to about your struggles or even brainstorm practical ways you can avoid temptation. You may even ask to meet regularly with your friend to hold yourself accountable.
Use Positive Language
What does positive language have to do with overcoming temptation? In Matthew 12:34, Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." When our language is faith-filled, it reflects our heartfelt belief in God, that he can and will help us overcome the desire to sin. Stop saying things like, "It's too hard," "I can't," or "I'll never be able to do this." Remember, God can move mountains. Try changing how you approach the situation and say, "God can help me overcome this," "God's got this," or "This is not too hard for God."
Give Yourself Alternatives
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Bible states that God can show you how to escape from your temptation. Are you looking for the way of escape God has promised you? If you know your temptations, you can give yourself alternatives. For instance, if you are tempted to lie to protect another person's feelings, try considering other ways to say the truth in a way that won't wound. You can speak the truth with love. If your friends are doing drugs, try developing new friendships. Alternatives aren't always easy, but they can be the path God creates for you to overcome temptation.
It's Not the End of the World
We all make mistakes. No one is perfect. That is why God offers forgiveness. While we should not sin because we know we'll be forgiven, we should know that God's grace is available when we do. Consider 1 John 1:8-9, "If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn't in our hearts. But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away," Know that God will always be here ready to catch us when we fall.
Following God completely
As we look at our society, we learn a lot about our modern culture and we don’t have to look very hard to see how broken and messed up things really are.
There are tons expectations placed on us, and even pressure to fit into the mold of society. Sadly, many attitudes, perspectives and behaviors do not match that which God would desire us to have. Yet a lot of people show a complete indifference to God’s Word and just go about doing their own thing.
So, let’s see what the Bible says about the call to be different.
Grab a Bible
Check out Numbers 14 (Israel approaching the Promised Land): How did Joshua and Caleb’s perspective of their situation cause them to stand out (vv. 1-9)?
Joshua and Caleb trusted God and were committed to Him, whereas the people were afraid.
What did the Israelites think of Joshua and Caleb? (v. 10)
They did not like the fact they were different. They hated them.
Notice v. 30 -Only Joshua and Caleb received the blessing. What does v. 24 say was so different about Caleb that set him apart from the other people?
He had a different spirit and his heart was set on following God completely.
What do these verses say is the goal of being different?
Romans. 12:1-2 –Don’t conform to the world, but be transformed. Matthew. 5:10-16 –Let your light shine so others may glorify God. Romans. 8:29
Our goal:
to be conformed into the image of Christ.
What should I do? As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not called to look or act “weird.” But we are called to rise above the norm and live a life that glorifies Christ. Others may not like it, or even understand it, but when we are determined to live our lives for God, we will be different! In what ways should this calling play out in your life? In what ways should people see Christ in you?
One last thought; Would you rather go with the flow and just do “whatever” to be a good fit in this world and one day stand before God and hear him say “depart from me, I never knew you, or ; make the decision right now to step up, stand up and be different knowing that one day you will stand before God and hear him say “well done good and faithful servant”?
As we look at our society, we learn a lot about our modern culture and we don’t have to look very hard to see how broken and messed up things really are.
There are tons expectations placed on us, and even pressure to fit into the mold of society. Sadly, many attitudes, perspectives and behaviors do not match that which God would desire us to have. Yet a lot of people show a complete indifference to God’s Word and just go about doing their own thing.
So, let’s see what the Bible says about the call to be different.
Grab a Bible
Check out Numbers 14 (Israel approaching the Promised Land): How did Joshua and Caleb’s perspective of their situation cause them to stand out (vv. 1-9)?
Joshua and Caleb trusted God and were committed to Him, whereas the people were afraid.
What did the Israelites think of Joshua and Caleb? (v. 10)
They did not like the fact they were different. They hated them.
Notice v. 30 -Only Joshua and Caleb received the blessing. What does v. 24 say was so different about Caleb that set him apart from the other people?
He had a different spirit and his heart was set on following God completely.
What do these verses say is the goal of being different?
Romans. 12:1-2 –Don’t conform to the world, but be transformed. Matthew. 5:10-16 –Let your light shine so others may glorify God. Romans. 8:29
Our goal:
to be conformed into the image of Christ.
What should I do? As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not called to look or act “weird.” But we are called to rise above the norm and live a life that glorifies Christ. Others may not like it, or even understand it, but when we are determined to live our lives for God, we will be different! In what ways should this calling play out in your life? In what ways should people see Christ in you?
One last thought; Would you rather go with the flow and just do “whatever” to be a good fit in this world and one day stand before God and hear him say “depart from me, I never knew you, or ; make the decision right now to step up, stand up and be different knowing that one day you will stand before God and hear him say “well done good and faithful servant”?
Who am I in God’s eyes?
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
When we give our lives to Christ and personally accept him as Lord and Savior, God gives us a whole new identity. He says that we become his children. We have access to all his resources. Yet, we so often continue to see ourselves as we once were.
In order to learn the ways of Jesus you first need to understand how God sees you. You first need to understand who you really are! When you said “yes” to God, you stepped into a brand-new identity. But just knowing that will change nothing until you begin to live according to whom you now are. When you begin to understand all that your new identity means, you can begin to live in the truth of who God says you are rather than in the ways you have come to view yourself through the ups and downs life has brought your way.
You are God’s treasured child! You do not draw your identity from what you have done or from what has been done to you. You do not get your identity from what other people have said to you or about you! Those things have influenced the past but today is a new day for you as God’s child!
You draw your identity from what God says about you! He is your Father. He created you to be all he knows you can be! And he is like no earthly Father!! Right here, right now, invite the Spirit to begin to change the way you see yourself. Put away the mentality of the past and step into who you are in Jesus.
Know this for a certainty:
You are loved (John 3:16).
You are called Christ’s friend (John 15:15).
You are fully forgiven (Colossians 1:14).
You are God’s adopted child (Ephesians 1:5).
You are indwelt by Christ through the Spirit (Ephesians 3.16-21).
You can be sure that because God has started a good work in your heart, he will complete it (Philippians 1:6).
You have a future and a hope. He has plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2.10).
Get yourself a Bible and highlight these verses. Meditate on them. Absorb the truth of who you are in God’s sight. When thoughts of low self-esteem and insecurity crowd your mind, learn how to take those thoughts captive and replace them with the truth of who you truly are now that you are in Christ.
Father God, thank you that I am precious and significant in your sight! Help me today to believe it and to walk in my new identity! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
When we give our lives to Christ and personally accept him as Lord and Savior, God gives us a whole new identity. He says that we become his children. We have access to all his resources. Yet, we so often continue to see ourselves as we once were.
In order to learn the ways of Jesus you first need to understand how God sees you. You first need to understand who you really are! When you said “yes” to God, you stepped into a brand-new identity. But just knowing that will change nothing until you begin to live according to whom you now are. When you begin to understand all that your new identity means, you can begin to live in the truth of who God says you are rather than in the ways you have come to view yourself through the ups and downs life has brought your way.
You are God’s treasured child! You do not draw your identity from what you have done or from what has been done to you. You do not get your identity from what other people have said to you or about you! Those things have influenced the past but today is a new day for you as God’s child!
You draw your identity from what God says about you! He is your Father. He created you to be all he knows you can be! And he is like no earthly Father!! Right here, right now, invite the Spirit to begin to change the way you see yourself. Put away the mentality of the past and step into who you are in Jesus.
Know this for a certainty:
You are loved (John 3:16).
You are called Christ’s friend (John 15:15).
You are fully forgiven (Colossians 1:14).
You are God’s adopted child (Ephesians 1:5).
You are indwelt by Christ through the Spirit (Ephesians 3.16-21).
You can be sure that because God has started a good work in your heart, he will complete it (Philippians 1:6).
You have a future and a hope. He has plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2.10).
Get yourself a Bible and highlight these verses. Meditate on them. Absorb the truth of who you are in God’s sight. When thoughts of low self-esteem and insecurity crowd your mind, learn how to take those thoughts captive and replace them with the truth of who you truly are now that you are in Christ.
Father God, thank you that I am precious and significant in your sight! Help me today to believe it and to walk in my new identity! In Jesus’ name, amen.
You matter
I struggled many of my teenage years thinking that my life didn’t matter. I struggled with thoughts of suicide and wondered if anyone would even care if I wasn’t around anymore. If you’ve dealt with these feelings, you’re not alone. Many people struggle these feelings.
I want to share with you a few reasons why your life matters. Despite what you might be feeling, your life is important, so let’s look at why.
God chose you.
Have you ever thought about the fact that God chose you? That means that your life is important. Even when you compare yourself to your friends, and feel like you come up short, God chose you. He went out of His way to choose you. To Him, you’re extremely important!
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. – Ephesians 1:4 (NLT)
God loves you and He chose you to be a part of His family. That means your life matters!
God has something for you to do.
God has a plan for your life. He’s got something special that He wants you to accomplish. You’ve been put on this World for a purpose. God wants to use you to touch the lives of your friends and family with the good news of Jesus. Your life matters because God has a plan for you to do that only you can do.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
God has good plans for your life, so when you feel like your life doesn’t matter, realize that God says it does.
Being a teenager isn’t easy.
It’s not easy being a teenager. There’s lots of challenges you face each day that can damage your feeling of worth. However, don’t allow yourself to be lied to and think your life doesn’t matter.
You are important. God puts a value on your life that is beyond description. He loves you more than you can ever comprehend. So, when you begin to feel like you don’t matter and want to give up, remind yourself that to God you matter.
I struggled many of my teenage years thinking that my life didn’t matter. I struggled with thoughts of suicide and wondered if anyone would even care if I wasn’t around anymore. If you’ve dealt with these feelings, you’re not alone. Many people struggle these feelings.
I want to share with you a few reasons why your life matters. Despite what you might be feeling, your life is important, so let’s look at why.
God chose you.
Have you ever thought about the fact that God chose you? That means that your life is important. Even when you compare yourself to your friends, and feel like you come up short, God chose you. He went out of His way to choose you. To Him, you’re extremely important!
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. – Ephesians 1:4 (NLT)
God loves you and He chose you to be a part of His family. That means your life matters!
God has something for you to do.
God has a plan for your life. He’s got something special that He wants you to accomplish. You’ve been put on this World for a purpose. God wants to use you to touch the lives of your friends and family with the good news of Jesus. Your life matters because God has a plan for you to do that only you can do.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
God has good plans for your life, so when you feel like your life doesn’t matter, realize that God says it does.
Being a teenager isn’t easy.
It’s not easy being a teenager. There’s lots of challenges you face each day that can damage your feeling of worth. However, don’t allow yourself to be lied to and think your life doesn’t matter.
You are important. God puts a value on your life that is beyond description. He loves you more than you can ever comprehend. So, when you begin to feel like you don’t matter and want to give up, remind yourself that to God you matter.
Are you giving God the silent treatment?
Have you ever felt frustrated and maybe even angry when you’ve prayed about something or someone and nothing seems to happen? You ask “why didn’t God answer?” Why doesn’t he rescue me in this situation as I’ve begged him to?
Have you started praying less or stopped praying altogether? Have you thought “why even bother? Has your trust in God’s goodness melted away in the heat of your struggle and God’s silence? Do you wonder if God really cares at all? Have you felt ready to just pack it in and walk away?
Countless Christians have seen their prayers erode to a trickle of empty words of habitual or panic button prayers. Some lose faith when life’s hard circumstances make no sense and God fails to intervene as they think he should. Others simply get too busy to bother. Many experience feeling let down and disappointed by the church or other Christians and paint God with the same brush.
It’s easy to begin depending on our own best thinking when we give up and stop expecting God to answer our prayers. Trusting God when our path in life grows muddy is not an easy task. The mud of weariness, busyness, and hurt can cause us to trip and even fall. We wonder how we will ever get up again. Faith can feel like a thread that threatens to break.
Trusting God with our life, even when it makes no sense to us is to choose to grab hold of the pearl of wisdom. As Christians, we know that prayer is our vital connection to our God, yet we can let it slip away from fingers muddy from falling. We must be deliberate in choosing to cling to it. There is great wisdom and reward in depending on our God even in the silence.
Maintaining that vital connection to God in prayer is a choice. Step by step, through the fog on our path, we can choose to trust that God has our best interest at heart and lean on his strength to get us through our day; or, we can choose to shrug him off with little expectation and lean wearily on our own understanding.
When we live with prayer on the fringe, we are really telling God that we don’t trust him. Often, with our lips we declare trust but with our lives we show that we really don’t believe he will see us through.
Ask yourself the hard questions:
Do I really trust God to have my best interest at heart?
Do I really believe he will strengthen me today to walk where I need to walk … even in the dark and the silence? _
If you’ve let prayer end up on the fringes of your life, take these steps of TRUST to make prayer central once again.
T— Thanks Thank God for the things he has done in your past. Go back as far as you need to (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
R— Repent Say you are sorry to God for intentionally allowing things in your heart and your life that disappoint him (Psalm 66:18-19).
U— Unify broken relationships. Whether you have offended someone or have been offended, God tells you to seek restoration. If restoration isn’t possible, give God the broken pieces and ask him to uproot any resentment out of your heart. Bringing peace to fractured relationships brings blessing (Matthew 5:9).
S— Share the journey. When times are tough and trust wears thin, find a friend to pray with you and for you. Open up about your struggles (James 5:16).
T— Take time Take time with God. If your heart is dry, set aside some time to listen to praise music and use the words of the songs as prayers from your heart. Till up the ground that has become hard from the worries of life (Psalm 91.1-2).
Pray – keep praying and keep believing God. DON’T EVER GIVE UP! 😊
Have you ever felt frustrated and maybe even angry when you’ve prayed about something or someone and nothing seems to happen? You ask “why didn’t God answer?” Why doesn’t he rescue me in this situation as I’ve begged him to?
Have you started praying less or stopped praying altogether? Have you thought “why even bother? Has your trust in God’s goodness melted away in the heat of your struggle and God’s silence? Do you wonder if God really cares at all? Have you felt ready to just pack it in and walk away?
Countless Christians have seen their prayers erode to a trickle of empty words of habitual or panic button prayers. Some lose faith when life’s hard circumstances make no sense and God fails to intervene as they think he should. Others simply get too busy to bother. Many experience feeling let down and disappointed by the church or other Christians and paint God with the same brush.
It’s easy to begin depending on our own best thinking when we give up and stop expecting God to answer our prayers. Trusting God when our path in life grows muddy is not an easy task. The mud of weariness, busyness, and hurt can cause us to trip and even fall. We wonder how we will ever get up again. Faith can feel like a thread that threatens to break.
Trusting God with our life, even when it makes no sense to us is to choose to grab hold of the pearl of wisdom. As Christians, we know that prayer is our vital connection to our God, yet we can let it slip away from fingers muddy from falling. We must be deliberate in choosing to cling to it. There is great wisdom and reward in depending on our God even in the silence.
Maintaining that vital connection to God in prayer is a choice. Step by step, through the fog on our path, we can choose to trust that God has our best interest at heart and lean on his strength to get us through our day; or, we can choose to shrug him off with little expectation and lean wearily on our own understanding.
When we live with prayer on the fringe, we are really telling God that we don’t trust him. Often, with our lips we declare trust but with our lives we show that we really don’t believe he will see us through.
Ask yourself the hard questions:
Do I really trust God to have my best interest at heart?
Do I really believe he will strengthen me today to walk where I need to walk … even in the dark and the silence? _
If you’ve let prayer end up on the fringes of your life, take these steps of TRUST to make prayer central once again.
T— Thanks Thank God for the things he has done in your past. Go back as far as you need to (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
R— Repent Say you are sorry to God for intentionally allowing things in your heart and your life that disappoint him (Psalm 66:18-19).
U— Unify broken relationships. Whether you have offended someone or have been offended, God tells you to seek restoration. If restoration isn’t possible, give God the broken pieces and ask him to uproot any resentment out of your heart. Bringing peace to fractured relationships brings blessing (Matthew 5:9).
S— Share the journey. When times are tough and trust wears thin, find a friend to pray with you and for you. Open up about your struggles (James 5:16).
T— Take time Take time with God. If your heart is dry, set aside some time to listen to praise music and use the words of the songs as prayers from your heart. Till up the ground that has become hard from the worries of life (Psalm 91.1-2).
Pray – keep praying and keep believing God. DON’T EVER GIVE UP! 😊
Let go of bitterness
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31,32
Unforgiveness is destructive. It will tie you up in knots, it will eat away at you piece by piece and turn you into a hardened, cold, and bitter person.
“But they said this to me”, or “they did this and hurt me so bad”. “I didn’t deserve this and I will never forgive ______________________.
Forgiving someone who has not asked to be forgiven isn’t easy. It is not what you instinctively want to do. It may be the most difficult thing you can ever think of doing. Your heart cries out for justice and vengeance. You have been deeply wounded. You want God to punish them, smite them, or cast them away.
But Jesus commands us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48) for a reason. I think He stressed this not only so we can be a witness to God’s forgiveness and love to others, but so we can begin to let go of the residual hostility that can block the flow of that loving forgiveness from God to us.
The Lord’s Prayer states, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” To the degree that we can forgive others, we can allow God’s forgiveness into our own hearts.
Until we learn to forgive others who have wronged us, how can we fully understand why God wants to forgive us, imperfect sinners as we are? How can we see ourselves as children of the King, when bitterness over someone else’s mistreatment of us has impoverished us?
As soon as we begin to peel the grip of resentment from our souls, we can grasp the grace and mercy our Lord waits to give us. Then in turn, as that loving forgiveness floods our hearts, our outlook will change. We will start to see events and people through the eternal glistening eyes of mercy, not the red-rimmed ones of hate and hurt.
If a wrong doer has embedded hurt and hatred in your soul, he or she has won. You can’t heal with such a knife stuck in your back, no matter how familiar the pain has become. It is time to no longer let it define who you are.
It will take time, and a lot of effort. But our loving Lord is ready to help. It’s okay to pray, “Lord, I cannot forgive _____ on my own. Help me to do it. Amen.” Nothing will give Him more delight than to assist you in this task ― for the other person’s sake, but even more so for yours. Eventually, you will be freed to forgive.
I can tell you from personal experience; holding onto bitterness just isn’t worth it.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31,32
Unforgiveness is destructive. It will tie you up in knots, it will eat away at you piece by piece and turn you into a hardened, cold, and bitter person.
“But they said this to me”, or “they did this and hurt me so bad”. “I didn’t deserve this and I will never forgive ______________________.
Forgiving someone who has not asked to be forgiven isn’t easy. It is not what you instinctively want to do. It may be the most difficult thing you can ever think of doing. Your heart cries out for justice and vengeance. You have been deeply wounded. You want God to punish them, smite them, or cast them away.
But Jesus commands us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48) for a reason. I think He stressed this not only so we can be a witness to God’s forgiveness and love to others, but so we can begin to let go of the residual hostility that can block the flow of that loving forgiveness from God to us.
The Lord’s Prayer states, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” To the degree that we can forgive others, we can allow God’s forgiveness into our own hearts.
Until we learn to forgive others who have wronged us, how can we fully understand why God wants to forgive us, imperfect sinners as we are? How can we see ourselves as children of the King, when bitterness over someone else’s mistreatment of us has impoverished us?
As soon as we begin to peel the grip of resentment from our souls, we can grasp the grace and mercy our Lord waits to give us. Then in turn, as that loving forgiveness floods our hearts, our outlook will change. We will start to see events and people through the eternal glistening eyes of mercy, not the red-rimmed ones of hate and hurt.
If a wrong doer has embedded hurt and hatred in your soul, he or she has won. You can’t heal with such a knife stuck in your back, no matter how familiar the pain has become. It is time to no longer let it define who you are.
It will take time, and a lot of effort. But our loving Lord is ready to help. It’s okay to pray, “Lord, I cannot forgive _____ on my own. Help me to do it. Amen.” Nothing will give Him more delight than to assist you in this task ― for the other person’s sake, but even more so for yours. Eventually, you will be freed to forgive.
I can tell you from personal experience; holding onto bitterness just isn’t worth it.
Am I really forgiven?
Do you sometimes find it difficult to believe that you have total forgiveness for your sins in Jesus Christ? You may know it intellectually, but do you believe it deep within your heart?
Imagine yourself as part of the crowd as this story recorded in the Gospel of Luke takes place:
Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven!”
"Who does this fellow think he is?” the pharisees and teachers of the Law exclaimed among themselves. “This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins?”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he replied, “Why is it blasphemy? I, the Messiah, have the authority on earth to forgive sins… I’ll prove it to you by healing this man.” Then, turning to the paralyzed man, he commanded, “Pick up your stretcher and go on home, for you are healed!” (Luke 5:18-20,24, The Living Bible)
What a marvelous illustration of God’s willingness to forgive!
We Have Been Set Free
God’s Word tells us that Jesus Christ has set us free — free from sin, free from the Law, free from the bondage of guilt and shame that sin and the Law bring.
Maybe you are finding it difficult to believe in your heart that your sin has been fully paid for. Perhaps you are thinking, “I have lustful thoughts toward another person.” Or, “I’ve been taking the Lord’s name in vain. God won’t forgive that, will he?”
The fact is, he has forgiven all your sin. You simply need to claim his forgiveness and believe his promise. And what a promise it is:
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:11,12).
That’s the forgiveness God offers in Christ. And think of it! It became yours the moment you believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior and received him into your heart by faith as your Lord and Master.
Do you sometimes find it difficult to believe that you have total forgiveness for your sins in Jesus Christ? You may know it intellectually, but do you believe it deep within your heart?
Imagine yourself as part of the crowd as this story recorded in the Gospel of Luke takes place:
Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven!”
"Who does this fellow think he is?” the pharisees and teachers of the Law exclaimed among themselves. “This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins?”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he replied, “Why is it blasphemy? I, the Messiah, have the authority on earth to forgive sins… I’ll prove it to you by healing this man.” Then, turning to the paralyzed man, he commanded, “Pick up your stretcher and go on home, for you are healed!” (Luke 5:18-20,24, The Living Bible)
What a marvelous illustration of God’s willingness to forgive!
We Have Been Set Free
God’s Word tells us that Jesus Christ has set us free — free from sin, free from the Law, free from the bondage of guilt and shame that sin and the Law bring.
Maybe you are finding it difficult to believe in your heart that your sin has been fully paid for. Perhaps you are thinking, “I have lustful thoughts toward another person.” Or, “I’ve been taking the Lord’s name in vain. God won’t forgive that, will he?”
The fact is, he has forgiven all your sin. You simply need to claim his forgiveness and believe his promise. And what a promise it is:
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:11,12).
That’s the forgiveness God offers in Christ. And think of it! It became yours the moment you believed in Jesus Christ as your Savior and received him into your heart by faith as your Lord and Master.
Seeds of dreams
Dreams can get lost. From time to time, most of us need a refresher course on building a dream. The dust of day-to-day living can bury them. New dreams are often birthed in the midst of trial. Asking God for wisdom and a way through the trial is sometimes the very seed to a new dream.
Dreams take time to build. When building a dream, you must be prepared to persevere. Building a dream is not for the faint-hearted! It takes faith, faith in yourself and faith in God who plants the seeds of dreams in our hearts.
Most of us have a dream buried beneath the rubble of life. Take it out and dust it off. If you have no dreams left, ask God to put a new dream in your heart.
Share your dream with one person who will walk beside you and encourage you in building a dream. We all have days when the daily dust piles up again and it’s easy to let the dream slip away. A soulmate will paint the colors of your dream for you when you have forgotten the picture.
Right now, today, put a name to your dream. Write it down. Dreams that come from the very seed God places in your heart will be dreams that go beyond the acquiring of bigger, better, more. His dreams, the ones that will fulfill who you are in the depth of your being, will be dreams that make you a better person and the world a better place.
Building a dream can start today
Define your dream
If it’s more education, be specific about a particular course. If it's starting your own business, pinpoint exactly what you would do. If it’s helping the needy, then decide what need and in what location. Identify where you’re going.
Resource yourself
In other words, do your homework. Find out what it takes to make your dream happen. Where is your course offered? How much does it cost? Is there a market niche for the business you want to start? Can you practically get to the need you wish to help meet? Evaluate the risk. The greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing!
Equip yourself
Start a savings account for your dream and put in pennies if that’s all you have today. Register for one course. Write up a business plan. Volunteer in the area of the need you have identified. Many dreams go by the wayside because no one ever took that first step. Make a choice today.
Apply yourself
Dreams take hard work and often sacrifice. You will have to say “no” to some things in order to pursue your dream. Persevere.
Manage yourself
Know your priorities and stick to them. Many things will call you away from your dream. Don’t let regret of yesterday or fear of tomorrow rob you of pursuing your dream today!
The God who created us put our deepest desires within our hearts. He calls us to persevere. He calls us to ask for wisdom from Him and to walk in faith. He reminds us that when we are double-minded, we are unstable in every way.
"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." James 1:4-8
Invite God to Re-kindle a Dream in Your Heart Today
Even in the midst of any trial or difficulty you are facing, ask Him for wisdom. He promises to give it! Invite His Holy Spirit to give you the insight and knowledge you need to move forward, and be single-minded in trusting Him. God made you just as you are. His Spirit will work in you and through you as you ask Him to help you fulfill the dreams He has planted in your heart.
Dreams can get lost. From time to time, most of us need a refresher course on building a dream. The dust of day-to-day living can bury them. New dreams are often birthed in the midst of trial. Asking God for wisdom and a way through the trial is sometimes the very seed to a new dream.
Dreams take time to build. When building a dream, you must be prepared to persevere. Building a dream is not for the faint-hearted! It takes faith, faith in yourself and faith in God who plants the seeds of dreams in our hearts.
Most of us have a dream buried beneath the rubble of life. Take it out and dust it off. If you have no dreams left, ask God to put a new dream in your heart.
Share your dream with one person who will walk beside you and encourage you in building a dream. We all have days when the daily dust piles up again and it’s easy to let the dream slip away. A soulmate will paint the colors of your dream for you when you have forgotten the picture.
Right now, today, put a name to your dream. Write it down. Dreams that come from the very seed God places in your heart will be dreams that go beyond the acquiring of bigger, better, more. His dreams, the ones that will fulfill who you are in the depth of your being, will be dreams that make you a better person and the world a better place.
Building a dream can start today
Define your dream
If it’s more education, be specific about a particular course. If it's starting your own business, pinpoint exactly what you would do. If it’s helping the needy, then decide what need and in what location. Identify where you’re going.
Resource yourself
In other words, do your homework. Find out what it takes to make your dream happen. Where is your course offered? How much does it cost? Is there a market niche for the business you want to start? Can you practically get to the need you wish to help meet? Evaluate the risk. The greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing!
Equip yourself
Start a savings account for your dream and put in pennies if that’s all you have today. Register for one course. Write up a business plan. Volunteer in the area of the need you have identified. Many dreams go by the wayside because no one ever took that first step. Make a choice today.
Apply yourself
Dreams take hard work and often sacrifice. You will have to say “no” to some things in order to pursue your dream. Persevere.
Manage yourself
Know your priorities and stick to them. Many things will call you away from your dream. Don’t let regret of yesterday or fear of tomorrow rob you of pursuing your dream today!
The God who created us put our deepest desires within our hearts. He calls us to persevere. He calls us to ask for wisdom from Him and to walk in faith. He reminds us that when we are double-minded, we are unstable in every way.
"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." James 1:4-8
Invite God to Re-kindle a Dream in Your Heart Today
Even in the midst of any trial or difficulty you are facing, ask Him for wisdom. He promises to give it! Invite His Holy Spirit to give you the insight and knowledge you need to move forward, and be single-minded in trusting Him. God made you just as you are. His Spirit will work in you and through you as you ask Him to help you fulfill the dreams He has planted in your heart.
Let’s be honest. Some people are just hard to like let alone love. But let’s take a closer look at this;
Jesus revolutionized love. He showed us that to love we often have to disregard personal comfort and convenience. Jesus demonstrated love to the fullest, putting it into action even when it was really painful.
No one forced Jesus to leave heaven and come to earth. But his love compelled him. He didn’t want to just stand by and watch the world suffer. He volunteered for the rescue mission. He chose to experience suffering to show us what love really looks like. In the words of the Message, The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood (John 1:14a).
The Son shared in the glory of the Father (John 17:5), but he left it behind to grow up as one of us and experience our pain. And how did the world thank him? A few welcomed him as Savior, but most ridiculed him and rejoiced in his brutal murder.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8)!
How does our love compare? Do we cling to comfort, or do we willingly give it up to help those in need? Do we readily forgive others, or is it a bit like pulling teeth? I know I need a whole lot of help to love like Jesus. I look at his perfect, selfless love and feel like a total failure. I could say, “Hey, look, I’m no Jesus; God doesn’t expect that kind of love to come from me!” Or does he?
Here’s the kicker. I’m not off the hook. Jesus actually commands us to love one another: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34). Jesus also said, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27). OK, so I am called to love others, to forget about my own comfort and convenience and reach out to those I don’t really like, even to those who might hate me.
Sounds impossible! Well, that’s because it is. This kind of love isn’t going to flow naturally from our hearts. There isn’t a switch we can just flick on. This love is not from this world. It can only come from God himself.
So, what hope do we have of demonstrating this kind of love? The key is faith. We can only love this way through trusting in the one who embodies love. Think about that difficult person you butt heads with at work or at school, or that rough individual you feel God is calling you to reach out to, or someone in your family with whom you have a broken or rocky relationship. Would you dare to trust God to love that person through you?
“I need some answers God”
If you have questions for God, why aren’t you asking them?
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask him (Matthew 7:7-11).
I’ll concede that if you go to God in prayer and ask him for the recipe for rocks, he may not whisper his divine formula in your ear. But there are so many questions that we simply aren’t asking God, who has given us every good thing including the beautiful freedom to approach him through his Son. We can be sure that when we pray in the name of Jesus, we will be heard. And he has promised us peace and answers to prayer — although maybe in a different way or timeframe than we expect — but we still sit wondering skeptically why we should pray. Or we tell ourselves we have no right to ask things of such a powerful God when we are so small and weak.
But that cynicism and self-doubt are temptations whispered by the one who wants to destroy our lines of communication with the Divine. God has summoned you to his heart, adopted you, and invited you to engage in a deep and constant conversation with him.
Don’t worry about how silly or angry or eloquent your words are: he just wants to hear your voice.
A changed heart
I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Ezekiel 32:24-36
Years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Ezekiel addressed the exiled Israelites with comfort and promises of change as well as improvement. He told them that the Lord would replace their hearts of stone with hearts of flesh that were tender towards the will of God.
Sin begins in the heart. At the heart of the human problem is the problem with the human heart. But there is a solution. The giving of the Holy Spirit moves people to live obediently as they are made aware of the heart of God and his ways.
The Bible speaks of stubborn hearts, hardened hearts, and hearts that have strayed far from God. It teaches that the only thing that can ultimately heal these hearts is the grace of God. He promises to make hearts of stone into hearts of living, breathing flesh where he can sow seeds of love for the advancement of his kingdom.
Is God’s promise alive and well in your heart? What is the state of your heart? Are you in a season of trial that is pulling you away from God and into your pain? Is there anger in your heart? Is jealousy, pride, selfish ambition, or unforgiveness lurking where no one can see?
If so, I encourage you, dear reader, to pray for the Holy Spirit to soften and heal your heart.
Dear Lord, as the Psalms say, create in me a new heart and renew a right spirit in me (Psalm 51:10). Help me believe you are at work within me even on those days I don’t feel it. Let me boldly come to you whenever jealousy or pride or ambition begin to seep in so I can continue to keep your commandments. Amen.
Go Deeper — Read Psalm 51:10-17. Why do you think hearts need to be changed before spirits and minds can be?
A place of solitude
Solitude is hard to find in our culture today. We hurry, we worry, and we keep our bodies and minds in constant motion. Sometimes we encounter silence. Yet silence is not solitude… silence can be icy or even hostile at times. It can be impatient and anxious. But solitude is quietness, and it can lead us to tranquility. The place of solitude is the place where God’s whisper can be heard.
Perhaps you need to hear His voice in a fresh way today. Perhaps God has seemed silent as you hurry and worry, and you wish He would speak. Perhaps your constant motion drowns out His still, small voice.
After a busy day, Jesus knew He and His followers needed rest. He gave them an invitation — which is our invitation today, too. He said, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place…” (Mark 6:31).
Sometimes God leads us to a place of solitude when He has something to say to us. He may lead us to a place where we find ourselves all alone with Him. We can struggle and try to push aside the solitude and the circumstances that brought us there. Or we can inquire and ask God what it is He needs us to hear. He just may have an inner transformation for our soul, refreshment that we desperately need, or direction that we so earnestly seek.
Carve out times of solitude in your life. Be purposeful in it. Don’t wait for it to be orchestrated for you. Make room for periods of time when you willingly accept His invitation to “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place.” And then listen.
Ask Him:
to teach you. Then listen.
to lead you to Scripture that will speak to your heart. Then listen.
how He is praying for you (Romans 8:34). Then listen.
to show you how He is at work in your life. Then listen.
what He wants you to see and do. Then listen.
God’s voice will come:
through the Scripture as He reveals truth to your heart.
as quiet thoughts when you ask and listen for His answer.
in words from other Christians to confirm what He has told you in your heart and through His Word.
as pictures in your mind.
as an idea of something kind you can do for someone.
Whether your heart is tired and weary, dry and discouraged, or hungry for His presence, be deliberate in carving out some regular times of solitude in your life. We make time for what is important to us. We choose. You will never know the richness of this experience if you don’t stop to move into a place of solitude.
When we choose to listen, He will speak. Be patient. Our hurried, worried bodies and minds need time to relax and be quieted. If your first attempts at solitude are restless times with random thoughts afloat in your mind, don’t be discouraged. Try again… and again.
Once you can quiet your heart and mind in His presence and ask Him to speak, you will begin to hear His voice of direction or correction, of revelation or encouragement. And you will want to hurry back.
Use protection !!!
Ok, now that I’ve grabbed your attention, I want you to seriously consider something;
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Proverbs 4: 23-27
Wow, that’s is pretty heavy but here’s the thing; Every day, whether we consciously realize it or not, our minds and our hearts are open season for the enemy to pour all the garbage and sewage of this world into us. Whether it’s by what we watch, what we listen to, or whom we hang with – we are being influenced. There is a constant ebb and flow. We need to be on guard and we need protection. Heart and mind protection - Big time.
In the Old Testament, the word “heart” is used more than 800 times, but more than 200 times it deals with a person’s thought life, emotions, the stuff that motivates and molds us.
Why is the thought life so important? Why did Solomon tell his son, “above all else, guard your heart; for out of it are the issues of life?” Because the thought life controls the rest of your life.
If you tell me what you think, I’ll tell you who you are and the life you live. What you think is what you are. The thought life controls you. “As a man (person) thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
Your thoughts—positive, negative, good, or bad—control your attitudes. Your attitudes are the sum total of your thoughts. Your attitudes lead to your actions.
Your Thoughts Control Your Actions
Someone once said, “Sow a thought, reap a deed. Sow a deed, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.”
Before you can do a thing, you have to think it. Your thoughts lead to attitudes; attitudes lead to actions; actions lead to those achievements. It all begins with the thought life. Your achievements will be the sum total of your thoughts.
This is so fundamental that God wiped out an entire civilization because they had “heart trouble.”
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was evil continually before God” (Genesis 6:5).
God said, “The thoughts of their heart are so evil, I’m going to have to destroy them,” and He sent the flood because of the thoughts of people’s hearts. The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart. And guess what ? we’re still having the same problem they had. Do the follow questions give you pause for the condition of your heart? Be honest.
What lies do I believe about myself or the world around me, and how is that affecting my relationship with God?
What sins or bad habits in my life are weighing me down from a higher moral conduct?
What behaviors or habits do I know to be right, and yet avoid or ignore?
Am I selfishly trying to find physical or emotional fulfillment through my relationships?
How to Guard Your Heart
“Be not conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
When God gets ready to change someone, how does He do it? By changing how they think. God changes the thought process. It’s a complete game changer.
What Solomon said to his son was, “Son, guard, protect, and be careful of your thought life. Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” The Lord Jesus Christ wants us to present our bodies to Him, including our minds, that He might transform us. No wonder the devil battles for the mind and does all he can to mess up our thinking. How important that we learn to keep our hearts, because a fierce battle is raging for the control of our mind.
When God is in the heart, then we think right, live right, do right. Why? because God is sitting on the throne of our heart. When God is absent, we think wrong, do wrong, live wrong.
Be careful what comes into your mind. You have to think pure thoughts. Now, a text without a context is a pretext, so context is important. In this passage Solomon is talking about the sexual affairs of a young man. Solomon is warning his son about having impure, immoral thoughts in his heart and life.
Let me share something with you that’s pretty amazing. God made you where you can’t think two things at one time. So how do you keep from thinking what’s wrong? Just think what’s right. And if you’re thinking what’s right, you cannot be thinking what’s wrong.
It’s another way of God saying, “Just load up on My Word. Get My Word into your heart.”
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.” (Psalm 119:9-11)
Store up the Word of God.
How are you going to think pure thoughts? By thinking positive thoughts. Not thinking about flowers and birds and trees, cotton candy, and fuzzy little bunnies, but the mighty Word of God. “The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Get it in your heart. It has power to cleanse and keep you.
From our thought life and through our thought life God wants to minister to us. A God-controlled thought life will help us with what I call “the three G’s”
Govern your speech (v. 24)
Guard your sight (v. 25)
Guide your steps (v. 27)
If you want to know what is in your heart, just listen to what comes out of your mouth. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). As they say in the country, “What’s down in the well comes up in the bucket.” Or, the computer rule – “garbage in, garbage out.”
When your mind is clear and right with God, when you think the thoughts of Christ after Him, when you have the mind of Christ, when you’re being transformed by the word of God and the power of God and the Spirit of God in your thought life, then you’re going to be doing the will of God.
God has a plan for you, an amazing plan. His heart is for you to discover His plan and walk in obedience to it. If you aren’t using God’s protection and are unguarded, you are missing out on God’s plan.
Bottom line – double down on the protection you need.
Here’s a few more to tuck in your heart:
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2
Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:37
And you’ll discover there’s a lot more if you start digging for them!
Ok, now that I’ve grabbed your attention, I want you to seriously consider something;
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Proverbs 4: 23-27
Wow, that’s is pretty heavy but here’s the thing; Every day, whether we consciously realize it or not, our minds and our hearts are open season for the enemy to pour all the garbage and sewage of this world into us. Whether it’s by what we watch, what we listen to, or whom we hang with – we are being influenced. There is a constant ebb and flow. We need to be on guard and we need protection. Heart and mind protection - Big time.
In the Old Testament, the word “heart” is used more than 800 times, but more than 200 times it deals with a person’s thought life, emotions, the stuff that motivates and molds us.
Why is the thought life so important? Why did Solomon tell his son, “above all else, guard your heart; for out of it are the issues of life?” Because the thought life controls the rest of your life.
If you tell me what you think, I’ll tell you who you are and the life you live. What you think is what you are. The thought life controls you. “As a man (person) thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
Your thoughts—positive, negative, good, or bad—control your attitudes. Your attitudes are the sum total of your thoughts. Your attitudes lead to your actions.
Your Thoughts Control Your Actions
Someone once said, “Sow a thought, reap a deed. Sow a deed, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.”
Before you can do a thing, you have to think it. Your thoughts lead to attitudes; attitudes lead to actions; actions lead to those achievements. It all begins with the thought life. Your achievements will be the sum total of your thoughts.
This is so fundamental that God wiped out an entire civilization because they had “heart trouble.”
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was evil continually before God” (Genesis 6:5).
God said, “The thoughts of their heart are so evil, I’m going to have to destroy them,” and He sent the flood because of the thoughts of people’s hearts. The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart. And guess what ? we’re still having the same problem they had. Do the follow questions give you pause for the condition of your heart? Be honest.
What lies do I believe about myself or the world around me, and how is that affecting my relationship with God?
What sins or bad habits in my life are weighing me down from a higher moral conduct?
What behaviors or habits do I know to be right, and yet avoid or ignore?
Am I selfishly trying to find physical or emotional fulfillment through my relationships?
How to Guard Your Heart
“Be not conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
When God gets ready to change someone, how does He do it? By changing how they think. God changes the thought process. It’s a complete game changer.
What Solomon said to his son was, “Son, guard, protect, and be careful of your thought life. Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” The Lord Jesus Christ wants us to present our bodies to Him, including our minds, that He might transform us. No wonder the devil battles for the mind and does all he can to mess up our thinking. How important that we learn to keep our hearts, because a fierce battle is raging for the control of our mind.
When God is in the heart, then we think right, live right, do right. Why? because God is sitting on the throne of our heart. When God is absent, we think wrong, do wrong, live wrong.
Be careful what comes into your mind. You have to think pure thoughts. Now, a text without a context is a pretext, so context is important. In this passage Solomon is talking about the sexual affairs of a young man. Solomon is warning his son about having impure, immoral thoughts in his heart and life.
Let me share something with you that’s pretty amazing. God made you where you can’t think two things at one time. So how do you keep from thinking what’s wrong? Just think what’s right. And if you’re thinking what’s right, you cannot be thinking what’s wrong.
It’s another way of God saying, “Just load up on My Word. Get My Word into your heart.”
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.” (Psalm 119:9-11)
Store up the Word of God.
How are you going to think pure thoughts? By thinking positive thoughts. Not thinking about flowers and birds and trees, cotton candy, and fuzzy little bunnies, but the mighty Word of God. “The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Get it in your heart. It has power to cleanse and keep you.
From our thought life and through our thought life God wants to minister to us. A God-controlled thought life will help us with what I call “the three G’s”
Govern your speech (v. 24)
Guard your sight (v. 25)
Guide your steps (v. 27)
If you want to know what is in your heart, just listen to what comes out of your mouth. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). As they say in the country, “What’s down in the well comes up in the bucket.” Or, the computer rule – “garbage in, garbage out.”
When your mind is clear and right with God, when you think the thoughts of Christ after Him, when you have the mind of Christ, when you’re being transformed by the word of God and the power of God and the Spirit of God in your thought life, then you’re going to be doing the will of God.
God has a plan for you, an amazing plan. His heart is for you to discover His plan and walk in obedience to it. If you aren’t using God’s protection and are unguarded, you are missing out on God’s plan.
Bottom line – double down on the protection you need.
Here’s a few more to tuck in your heart:
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2
Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
Matthew 22:37
And you’ll discover there’s a lot more if you start digging for them!
Why a Quiet Time ?
Devotions, quiet times – whatever name we use, we know that spending time with God is important. Knowing is one thing, though, and doing is another. I know flossing and exercise are really important too. But I struggle to do both with any kind of consistency. As much as I hate to admit it, I struggle just as much to spend consistent time with God. But instead of giving up, I have finally found a solution that suits me.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
Years ago, I read an author who lived by the rule, “No Bible, no breakfast.” It was his way of prioritizing his devotional time. Since skipping breakfast was not an option he liked, he quickly adopted a morning routine that left plenty of time for Jesus.
There’s a lot of wisdom in having a quiet time first thing in the morning. Except that I am terrible at it. I’m also terrible at praying right before bed. Recently, I realized that instead of beating myself up, I needed to create a habit that would work for me. So, I evaluated my daily routine and made my own rule: No Bible, No TV.
After a long day of work, chores, and taking care of a toddler, I usually flop on the couch with the remote. Funny how I could always find time to watch a show, but couldn’t find time to be with my Heavenly Father. “Ah ha!,” I thought. “There’s my window.” I got out my phone and set a daily alarm for 7:45 PM. When the alarm goes off, I take some time to read and pray before flopping on the couch.
No Bible, no TV. It’s becoming a habit. It works for me.
What will work for you?
Find your window. Are you a morning person? A night owl? Are you a shift worker or an exhausted parent who is sleepy most of the time? Try to pinpoint a time of day that will actually work for you. You might need to get creative.
Set up a cue. A cue is a connection your brain makes between two things. It’s how habits are formed. Set up a cue for yourself that will help you develop a devotional habit. “Whenever I rock my baby to sleep, I will pray.” “I will read my Bible while I have my morning coffee.” If you are someone who needs to move to concentrate, you could listen to the Bible and pray during your walks or runs.
Start small. Don’t aim for hour-long sessions with Jesus just yet. Start with 10–15 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much difference even 15 minutes every day will make.
Devotions, quiet times – whatever name we use, we know that spending time with God is important. Knowing is one thing, though, and doing is another. I know flossing and exercise are really important too. But I struggle to do both with any kind of consistency. As much as I hate to admit it, I struggle just as much to spend consistent time with God. But instead of giving up, I have finally found a solution that suits me.
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
Years ago, I read an author who lived by the rule, “No Bible, no breakfast.” It was his way of prioritizing his devotional time. Since skipping breakfast was not an option he liked, he quickly adopted a morning routine that left plenty of time for Jesus.
There’s a lot of wisdom in having a quiet time first thing in the morning. Except that I am terrible at it. I’m also terrible at praying right before bed. Recently, I realized that instead of beating myself up, I needed to create a habit that would work for me. So, I evaluated my daily routine and made my own rule: No Bible, No TV.
After a long day of work, chores, and taking care of a toddler, I usually flop on the couch with the remote. Funny how I could always find time to watch a show, but couldn’t find time to be with my Heavenly Father. “Ah ha!,” I thought. “There’s my window.” I got out my phone and set a daily alarm for 7:45 PM. When the alarm goes off, I take some time to read and pray before flopping on the couch.
No Bible, no TV. It’s becoming a habit. It works for me.
What will work for you?
Find your window. Are you a morning person? A night owl? Are you a shift worker or an exhausted parent who is sleepy most of the time? Try to pinpoint a time of day that will actually work for you. You might need to get creative.
Set up a cue. A cue is a connection your brain makes between two things. It’s how habits are formed. Set up a cue for yourself that will help you develop a devotional habit. “Whenever I rock my baby to sleep, I will pray.” “I will read my Bible while I have my morning coffee.” If you are someone who needs to move to concentrate, you could listen to the Bible and pray during your walks or runs.
Start small. Don’t aim for hour-long sessions with Jesus just yet. Start with 10–15 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much difference even 15 minutes every day will make.
Love or lust??
So… you see a girl (or boy… if you’re a girl) walking across the playground at school. They glance over your direction, only to see you staring right at them with a stunned look on your face! You quickly pretend that you are looking at something else! You start to sweat a little… you try to play it cool, but on the inside your guts do a triple somersault, with a half twist and a few pirouette’s for good measure.
Then as she wanders into the distance giggling with her friends, you’re left sitting there like an idiot, with a billion thoughts and feelings pulsing through you, most of which are confusing, and you have no idea what to do with… you know you like her… but is it more than that? Do I love her? Or is it just that you think she’s hot? How do you tell the difference between Love and Lust?
Although we can often get the two confused, the Bible is very clear about the difference between love & lust. As Christians, we need to make sure that we work hard at understanding the difference, because the outcome of loving someone is vastly different from the outcome of lusting after them! So, here is how we can identify love & lust, and work out the difference between them.
What is love?
There is quite a lot in the Bible about love. As a matter of fact — according to Matthew 22:34-40, every command that is written in the Bible stems from love! Either loving God, or loving your neighbor (that is, anyone and everyone that you come into contact with). It even tells us about the ultimate example of love in Jesus Christ taking the punishment we deserve by laying down his life for us so we can be forgiven for our sin.
But perhaps the most well-known passage about love is 1 Corinthians 13 where we get a list of all the things that define what love IS and what it IS NOT. Love IS NOT envious, boastful, proud (self glorifying), rude, self-seeking or easily angered, and it does not hold stuff against one another! Rather, love IS patient, kind, truthful, protecting, and hopeful, it never fails, but always perseveres with the other person, even when it is hard and you don’t really feel like doing it! In other words, love is other-person-centered. It is all about putting the person who you love first, even before yourself… and sometimes at your own expense!
What is lust?
The Bible also says a lot about lust! Proverbs is full of helpful hints & tips and is a must read for every young Christian! Other passages to read are Matthew 5:27-30, Romans 1:18-32 & 2 Samuel 11, where King David lusts after an attractive young girl & ends up breaking most of the 10 commandments in one day! When you read these passages, you’ll see that lust NEVER ends well, and that’s because it stems from a sinful heart.
At the core of lust is selfishness, disrespect and a lack of self-control, none of which are valuable characteristics in God’s eyes. Lust is self-centered. It is all about putting your desires first, without giving a thought to the person that you are lusting after. This generally plays out differently for guys and girls. Usually guys lust after the physical i.e. what they can see or touch, whereas for girls it’s usually more emotionally based i.e. what makes them feel good or special. But of course, everyone is different and this is not always the case for everyone.
What is the difference?
The difference between love and lust is the attitude of your heart. If you’re in love, the attitude of your heart is one of selflessness, with the other person as your focus, whereas if you are in lust the attitude of your heart will be one of selfishness, with yourself as the focus. True love is driven by a godly desire to provide for, nurture and care for the other person’s needs, whereas lust is driven by an ungodly desire to provide for, nurture and care for our own sinful passions. When you love someone, you choose to stick with that person at the expense of all others, even when it’s hard and you don’t want to! When you lust after someone, you get angry and throw in the towel as soon as you don’t get what you want, or you manipulate them until they do what you want them to do.
So… if you find yourself wondering about whether or not you’re in love, ask yourself “what is my heart attitude towards this person? Is it one of selflessness or selfishness? Am I willing to put the hard yards in, even when I don’t really want to, or will I probably throw in the towel when things get tough? Do I want to invest into this person, or is it just about fulfilling my human desires?” The answer to these questions will be a sure indication of whether you are in love, or lust.
So… you see a girl (or boy… if you’re a girl) walking across the playground at school. They glance over your direction, only to see you staring right at them with a stunned look on your face! You quickly pretend that you are looking at something else! You start to sweat a little… you try to play it cool, but on the inside your guts do a triple somersault, with a half twist and a few pirouette’s for good measure.
Then as she wanders into the distance giggling with her friends, you’re left sitting there like an idiot, with a billion thoughts and feelings pulsing through you, most of which are confusing, and you have no idea what to do with… you know you like her… but is it more than that? Do I love her? Or is it just that you think she’s hot? How do you tell the difference between Love and Lust?
Although we can often get the two confused, the Bible is very clear about the difference between love & lust. As Christians, we need to make sure that we work hard at understanding the difference, because the outcome of loving someone is vastly different from the outcome of lusting after them! So, here is how we can identify love & lust, and work out the difference between them.
What is love?
There is quite a lot in the Bible about love. As a matter of fact — according to Matthew 22:34-40, every command that is written in the Bible stems from love! Either loving God, or loving your neighbor (that is, anyone and everyone that you come into contact with). It even tells us about the ultimate example of love in Jesus Christ taking the punishment we deserve by laying down his life for us so we can be forgiven for our sin.
But perhaps the most well-known passage about love is 1 Corinthians 13 where we get a list of all the things that define what love IS and what it IS NOT. Love IS NOT envious, boastful, proud (self glorifying), rude, self-seeking or easily angered, and it does not hold stuff against one another! Rather, love IS patient, kind, truthful, protecting, and hopeful, it never fails, but always perseveres with the other person, even when it is hard and you don’t really feel like doing it! In other words, love is other-person-centered. It is all about putting the person who you love first, even before yourself… and sometimes at your own expense!
What is lust?
The Bible also says a lot about lust! Proverbs is full of helpful hints & tips and is a must read for every young Christian! Other passages to read are Matthew 5:27-30, Romans 1:18-32 & 2 Samuel 11, where King David lusts after an attractive young girl & ends up breaking most of the 10 commandments in one day! When you read these passages, you’ll see that lust NEVER ends well, and that’s because it stems from a sinful heart.
At the core of lust is selfishness, disrespect and a lack of self-control, none of which are valuable characteristics in God’s eyes. Lust is self-centered. It is all about putting your desires first, without giving a thought to the person that you are lusting after. This generally plays out differently for guys and girls. Usually guys lust after the physical i.e. what they can see or touch, whereas for girls it’s usually more emotionally based i.e. what makes them feel good or special. But of course, everyone is different and this is not always the case for everyone.
What is the difference?
The difference between love and lust is the attitude of your heart. If you’re in love, the attitude of your heart is one of selflessness, with the other person as your focus, whereas if you are in lust the attitude of your heart will be one of selfishness, with yourself as the focus. True love is driven by a godly desire to provide for, nurture and care for the other person’s needs, whereas lust is driven by an ungodly desire to provide for, nurture and care for our own sinful passions. When you love someone, you choose to stick with that person at the expense of all others, even when it’s hard and you don’t want to! When you lust after someone, you get angry and throw in the towel as soon as you don’t get what you want, or you manipulate them until they do what you want them to do.
So… if you find yourself wondering about whether or not you’re in love, ask yourself “what is my heart attitude towards this person? Is it one of selflessness or selfishness? Am I willing to put the hard yards in, even when I don’t really want to, or will I probably throw in the towel when things get tough? Do I want to invest into this person, or is it just about fulfilling my human desires?” The answer to these questions will be a sure indication of whether you are in love, or lust.
Ok, I have a question … well actually ten
Question 1: Why is there evil in the world?
You know, this is a difficult stumbling block and question for many people. The simplest way to look at this question is to examine God’s nature and His desire for mankind. Look at the logic. God loves us and wants us to love Him back. And how could we love Him back unless we have the freedom to not love?
God could have made us like robots who do nothing more than say, “I love you. I love you. I love you.” But we’d be forced to do that and that wouldn’t be real love. Love is a choice. And if you have a choice, you have to be able to choose not to love. That in itself is the nature of evil: evil is choosing not to love. So, when God gave us the freedom to choose, He gave us not only our greatest blessing, but He also gave us our greatest curse — we can choose to do right or choose to do wrong.
The reason there’s evil in the world is not because of God, but because God gave us the freedom to choose. Now the potential for love outweighs the existence of evil, because you see, evil is only going to exist for a short time, but love is going to go on forever. And all of the suffering and all of the death that we see in the world today are because man has chosen to make wrong choices.
God could have taken our freedom, but He didn’t. I hope you’ll use your freedom to choose God.
Question 2: Is Jesus really God?
Well, when you think about it, you only have three options as to who Jesus Christ was. You see, Jesus claimed to be God. He said things like, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” He claimed to be God many, many times. Now, that means either:
He is who he says He was,
He was the biggest liar in history, or
He was crazy. He was a lunatic on the order of the man who calls himself a fried egg.
I’ve had many friends who said, “I believe Jesus was a good man.” Well, He couldn’t have been a good man and said the things He said. For instance, if I said to you, “I’m Rick Warren and I’m a good teacher and a good husband,” you might say, “Okay, I buy that.” But if I said to you, “I’m Rick Warren and I’m God and I’m the only way to heaven.” Well, you would have to make a decision. You couldn’t say I was a good person because a good person wouldn’t say that. You’d either say, “He is who he says he is, he’s a liar, or he’s crazy.”
Now Jesus didn’t just expect us to believe Him and take Him at His word. He said, “I’m going to prove the claim that I am God.” He said, “I’m going to let people kill me on a cross, then let them bury me. I’ll be dead for three days and then I’ll come back to life.” And, of course, that was the event that changed history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every person since then refers to Jesus Christ, whether they believe in Him or not. Every time you write a date, A.D. or B.C., what’s the reference point? Jesus Christ. His life was the event that split history.
Question 3: Do all religions lead to God?
Well now, think about the logic of this. Can I go into a phone booth and dial any phone number and get home? No, there’s only one number that’ll get me home. I could be sincere, but I could be sincerely wrong. The truth is, all roads don’t lead to Rome and all religions don’t lead to God.
You see, it all depends on which direction you take. Jesus said this: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). I’m betting my life on the fact that He was right because I figured Jesus knows more about it than I did.
The Bible tells us that on the road to heaven, there are only two directions: toward Christ or away from Him. You can accept Him or you can reject Him, it’s your choice. You can make Jesus the Lord of your life — that means the manager, the CEO, the person in charge of your life — or you can call Him a liar, but that’s what the Bible declares.
You know a lot of people sincerely believe that even though they’ve broken God’s rules that they can earn God’s forgiveness by doing good works, by observing the Five Pillars of Islam or the Buddhist Eightfold Path or the Hindu Doctrine of Karma, for example. But I don’t get it. How will doing some good works, that we should have done all our lives, make up for all the countless times we failed?
You see, heaven is a perfect place and that means only perfect people get to go there. If not-perfect people were allowed in, it wouldn’t be perfect anymore. Well I don’t know about you, but I stopped being perfect a long time ago. So, God came up with Plan B. He came to earth in human form, Jesus Christ, and He lived a perfect life and now He offers to let us go to heaven on His ticket. And I pray that you will trust Jesus Christ and stop trying to bat a thousand — because you ended up not doing that a long time ago. Accept God’s free ticket through Jesus Christ.
Question 4: What’s going to happen to those people in the world who’ve never heard about Jesus Christ?
You may have heard this question put this way: “What about the person living in the jungle somewhere who’s never heard the good news about Jesus Christ? Are you Christians saying that a person won’t go to heaven based solely on where he lives?”
No, we’re not saying that. The Bible tells us that God doesn’t work that way. We understand that God is perfect in His love and perfect in His holiness and He’s perfectly just and fair. Therefore, it’s against God’s nature to be unfair. It’s against God’s nature to hide the ball on salvation or to condemn somebody who’s ignorant of His truth. In fact, the Bible declares that God is loving and patient and not willing that anybody should perish. He wants everybody to come to repentance and to come to know Him.
If God is a perfectly loving and righteous God, then He will figure out ways to help people understand Him. He somehow reveals the simple truth of the gospel to people throughout the world. You know, I’ve talked to people who were missionaries in Africa who’ve told me that Jesus has revealed Himself through nature. When you look at nature you learn that God is organized, that God is creative, that God likes variety. But it’s when we look at Jesus Christ, we realize that God is loving.
And as Christians we are called to tell the good news to other people. It’s God’s decision to decide what happens to people who haven’t heard about Him. But it is our decision to take that news to as many people as possible. And the Bible says we will be held more responsible because we have heard and we have known that God is love, that God wants a relationship to us and that God will forgive us if we give our lives to Jesus Christ.
So, what do we do about those who haven’t heard? We tell them. First, we accept God’s good news and then we tell people about it. Then, we leave the result in the hands of a fair, loving, and just God.
Question 5: What about all the wars that are caused in the name of Christianity?
Well first, let me say that a lot of things have been done in the name of Christianity that Jesus Christ would totally disavow. Just because someone claims to be a Christian doesn’t necessarily make him a follower of Christ, nor does it make him a representative of Jesus. It’s very, very important to distinguish between the Bible kind of Christianity and the actions that have been taken throughout history by people who claimed to be Christians, but who really didn’t know Jesus.
You see, there’s a difference between religion and a relationship with God. Jesus is not interested in the religion of Christianity. He’s interested in you having a relationship to Him. Jesus never said, “I’ve come that you might have religion.” He said, “I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”
A lot of people have claimed to be followers of Christ, but they’ve lived their lives contrary to His teaching. We shouldn’t label this group "Christian." But let me say this: have you ever seen a counterfeit dollar? Well, maybe you haven’t, but maybe you’ve heard of them. Why are there counterfeit dollars in the world? Well, I’ll tell you why. Because there are real dollars in the world. If there were no real dollars, there would be no counterfeits. And if you find counterfeit Christianity in the world, it must mean that somewhere there must be the real thing. The point is, we don’t identify Jesus by claiming that all the things that were done in His name were done by Him. In fact, Jesus prevented His own disciples from defending themselves against the enemies when He said, “I want you to turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39).
A lot of wars have been done in the name of Christianity that Jesus probably would have disavowed. The real issue is: do you know Jesus Christ? You see, it doesn’t matter so much what has been done by hypocrites or phonies or false followers of Christ. What matters is: do you know the real, true, genuine item? Have you ever turned your life over to Jesus Christ? If you haven’t, I would encourage you to investigate Him today.
Question 6: Is there any real right or wrong?
You might have heard somebody say, “I don’t believe there’s such a thing as right or wrong.” Or maybe you’ve heard a professor say, “There are no absolutes.” Whenever I hear that I want to say, “Are you absolutely sure?” You have to ask yourself, “Is this statement even logical? Is there any right or wrong?” Because when people say, “There is no right or wrong, or it’s wrong for you to impose your morals on me,” think about it. By them telling you that, they are imposing their morals on you.
The fact is, we all inherently know right from wrong. We just have this weird tendency to disregard it, especially when it conflicts with our desires for pleasure or personal gain. Now, sure, you might justify having an affair, but certainly you wouldn’t condone your spouse having one. Or you might justify taking something without permission, but if you were the one being robbed you wouldn’t think it was okay. There isn’t a person alive today who’d come home from work and discover that their entire house had been robbed and say, “Oh, how wonderful that this burglar is able to enjoy all my things without my permission. And who am I to impose my view of right or wrong on this poor burglar?” You see how ridiculous that is? Of course.
Even those who claim there is no right or wrong have their own moral conscience, they’ve just set their own standards. Here’s a good way to determine right from wrong. Turn the situation around on yourself. Jesus said it best. He said, “Treat people the same way you want people to treat you.” You see we all know that murder and rape and lying and stealing and torture and injustice are absolutely wrong. Why? Because we wouldn’t want any of these things to happen to us. The person who would say, “there is no right or wrong,” would not agree that it was okay to be raped. No, when you turn it on yourself, you realize that even inside ourselves God has placed a moral conscience and that conscience tells us when we do right and when we do wrong. And when we violate our conscience, we need forgiveness. That’s why the Bible said, “God sent Jesus to earth so that we might be forgiven of all of our wrong.”
Question 7: Why do I exist?
That’s the most fundamental question of life. What on earth am I here for? Well, you need to understand God to answer that question. The Bible says, “God is love.” It doesn’t say He has love; it says He is love. It’s part of His nature, His character, it is the essence of His being. God is love. Now, love isn’t very valuable unless you bestow it on something. The Bible says, “God made you to love you.” You were created as an object of God’s love. If you want to know why you’re taking breath right now, why your heart is beating, it’s because God made you to love you. It’s the sole reason. You were made to be loved by God and to bring Him pleasure.
Now God wants you to learn to love Him back; that’s the first purpose of your life. One day Jesus was walking down the street and a man came up and said, “What’s the most important command in the Bible?” And Jesus said, “I’m going to summarize the entire Bible in one sentence. Love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.”
God wants you to get to know Him and love Him back. So that means when you get up in the morning, you should sit on the side of your bed and say, “God, if I don’t get anything else done today, I want to know you a little bit better and I want to love you a little bit more.” Because if at the end of the day you know God more and you love Him more, you have just fulfilled one of the purposes of your life.
If, on the other hand, you’ve accomplished all kinds of things and achieved many, many successes in life, but at the end of the day you don’t know God better or love Him more, you have missed the primary purpose of your life. Because God didn’t put you on this earth just to mark things off your to-do list. He put you here to know Him and love Him. That’s why you exist.
Question 8: What is my purpose in life?
Well the truth is, God created you for five purposes. You see, you were made by God and you were made for God. And until you understand that, life isn’t going to make sense. When you come to this question, you only have three options.
First is what I call the mystical approach, and that is to look within. You find this in a lot of talk shows, a lot of new age books, and a lot of seminars. They say, “Look within to discover your purpose.” The only problem is that doesn’t work. We’ve all looked within and didn’t like what we saw. It’s quite confusing. In fact, if we could know the purpose of life by looking within, we’d all know it by now. It doesn’t work.
The second way you can try to discover your purpose is called the intellectual or philosophical approach. And that’s where you go to a seminary class or university class and you sit there with a pipe and your latte and you ask questions like, “Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going?”
I once read a book by professor John Morehead, the Head of the Department of Philosophy at Northeastern University in Illinois. And he wrote to 250 well-known intellectuals and asked them, “What is the meaning and purpose of life?” These were novelists, scientists, well-known intellectuals. I read the book (now out of print), and it was quite depressing because most of the people said, “I have no idea what the purpose of life is.” Some of them admitted they just made up a purpose. And some of them admitted they guessed. And some of them said, “If you know the purpose, please tell me.”
You see, there’s a better answer to speculation and that’s revelation. If I were to hold up an invention that you have never seen before, you wouldn’t know its purpose. The only way you’d know its purpose was either talk to the creator who made it, or read the owner’s manual. The owner’s manual of life is the Bible and your Creator is God. And it is only as you get to know God you will discover His five purposes for your life. I hope you’ll begin that journey today.
Question 9: Does my life really matter?
Well, it’s a good question. You know, today we teach our kids that we’re all just one big cosmic accident. We came from the goo through the zoo to you over billions of years. Well, if that is true, in a nutshell it teaches that your life really doesn’t matter, you’re just the freak accident of random chance, you’re complex slime, and you were an accident. And if you get accidentally killed, well, of course, that doesn’t matter. It creates a lot of our sociological problems and a lot of our self-esteem issues.
But the truth is, you are not an accident. You were created by a loving God who loves you and designed you with intricate detail in your life. When you understand that God made you to love you and that God made you to be a part of His family and that God made you to last forever, then you’re never going to have a problem with low self-esteem again.
It was Bertram Russell, an atheist, who once said, “Unless you assume the existence of God, then the purpose and meaning of life is irrelevant.” The truth is, if there is no God your life doesn’t matter. But because there is a God, and He had a specific purpose in mind when He created you, you do matter. You matter because God created you. You matter because He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross. If you want to know how much you matter, think of Jesus Christ with His arms outstretched saying, “I love you this much.”
Now, if you had to choose between a loved one and a material thing, even if that thing was priceless, you’d chose your loved one in a heartbeat. When you’re on your deathbed, you’re not going to surround yourself with material possessions. You’re not going to say, “Bring me my trophies. Bring me my credentials. Bring me my certificates so I can look one more time at my grade point average.” No, you’re going to surround yourself with loved ones and everybody’s going to be crying because they’re going to miss you. You see, that’s how much you matter.
Personal relationships to God and to other people are the most important thing in life. God wants you to know Him and He wants you to have a relationship with Him because you’re worth so much in God’s eyes that He sent His Son to die for you. I hope you’ll get to know Him very soon.
Question 10: Is there a real hell and why would a loving God send anyone there?
Well, first I believe in hell because Jesus talked about it. In fact, Jesus talked more about hell then He did heaven. He said it is a real place and it is a place of eternal torment. And I believe Jesus knows more about it than either you or I. But second, I believe in hell because logic and fairness demand it. Think of all the atrocities and evil that have been done throughout history by evildoers in this world. For God to allow those crimes to go unpunished would mean that God is not worthy of our worship and love.
Why would a loving God send anyone to hell? Well in a nutshell, He doesn’t. God doesn’t send anybody to hell. We choose to go there when we reject the love of God. Imagine I was to say to you, "On my right is a door heading to heaven, and on my left is a door heading to hell." If you walk out the door heading to hell, you don’t have anybody to blame but yourself.
In fact, the Bible tells us that God does almost everything – well everything possible — to keep us out of hell. He cared so much to keep us out of hell that He sent Jesus Christ to come to earth, to die on the cross, to pay for our sins so that we don’t have to pay for them. He wants to set us free. He wants to give us forgiveness. God made us in His image and He gave us the ultimate power to say yes or no.
If we choose to reject God here on earth, then we, at the same time, are choosing to spend eternity separated from Him. You see, there are only two kinds of people in the world. Those who say, “God, may your will be done” and those to whom God says, “Your will be done.” When we say, “I want to do it my way,” we essentially say to God, “I don’t want you in my life while I’m here on earth.” Then God says, “I don’t want you in my heaven for eternity.”
You don’t have to go to hell. In fact, Jesus Christ has made it possible for you to go to heaven. Open your heart to Him and say, “Jesus Christ, I need you, I want you, I trust you, and I ask you to forgive me.” And He’ll come in and save you.
Question 1: Why is there evil in the world?
You know, this is a difficult stumbling block and question for many people. The simplest way to look at this question is to examine God’s nature and His desire for mankind. Look at the logic. God loves us and wants us to love Him back. And how could we love Him back unless we have the freedom to not love?
God could have made us like robots who do nothing more than say, “I love you. I love you. I love you.” But we’d be forced to do that and that wouldn’t be real love. Love is a choice. And if you have a choice, you have to be able to choose not to love. That in itself is the nature of evil: evil is choosing not to love. So, when God gave us the freedom to choose, He gave us not only our greatest blessing, but He also gave us our greatest curse — we can choose to do right or choose to do wrong.
The reason there’s evil in the world is not because of God, but because God gave us the freedom to choose. Now the potential for love outweighs the existence of evil, because you see, evil is only going to exist for a short time, but love is going to go on forever. And all of the suffering and all of the death that we see in the world today are because man has chosen to make wrong choices.
God could have taken our freedom, but He didn’t. I hope you’ll use your freedom to choose God.
Question 2: Is Jesus really God?
Well, when you think about it, you only have three options as to who Jesus Christ was. You see, Jesus claimed to be God. He said things like, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” He claimed to be God many, many times. Now, that means either:
He is who he says He was,
He was the biggest liar in history, or
He was crazy. He was a lunatic on the order of the man who calls himself a fried egg.
I’ve had many friends who said, “I believe Jesus was a good man.” Well, He couldn’t have been a good man and said the things He said. For instance, if I said to you, “I’m Rick Warren and I’m a good teacher and a good husband,” you might say, “Okay, I buy that.” But if I said to you, “I’m Rick Warren and I’m God and I’m the only way to heaven.” Well, you would have to make a decision. You couldn’t say I was a good person because a good person wouldn’t say that. You’d either say, “He is who he says he is, he’s a liar, or he’s crazy.”
Now Jesus didn’t just expect us to believe Him and take Him at His word. He said, “I’m going to prove the claim that I am God.” He said, “I’m going to let people kill me on a cross, then let them bury me. I’ll be dead for three days and then I’ll come back to life.” And, of course, that was the event that changed history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every person since then refers to Jesus Christ, whether they believe in Him or not. Every time you write a date, A.D. or B.C., what’s the reference point? Jesus Christ. His life was the event that split history.
Question 3: Do all religions lead to God?
Well now, think about the logic of this. Can I go into a phone booth and dial any phone number and get home? No, there’s only one number that’ll get me home. I could be sincere, but I could be sincerely wrong. The truth is, all roads don’t lead to Rome and all religions don’t lead to God.
You see, it all depends on which direction you take. Jesus said this: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). I’m betting my life on the fact that He was right because I figured Jesus knows more about it than I did.
The Bible tells us that on the road to heaven, there are only two directions: toward Christ or away from Him. You can accept Him or you can reject Him, it’s your choice. You can make Jesus the Lord of your life — that means the manager, the CEO, the person in charge of your life — or you can call Him a liar, but that’s what the Bible declares.
You know a lot of people sincerely believe that even though they’ve broken God’s rules that they can earn God’s forgiveness by doing good works, by observing the Five Pillars of Islam or the Buddhist Eightfold Path or the Hindu Doctrine of Karma, for example. But I don’t get it. How will doing some good works, that we should have done all our lives, make up for all the countless times we failed?
You see, heaven is a perfect place and that means only perfect people get to go there. If not-perfect people were allowed in, it wouldn’t be perfect anymore. Well I don’t know about you, but I stopped being perfect a long time ago. So, God came up with Plan B. He came to earth in human form, Jesus Christ, and He lived a perfect life and now He offers to let us go to heaven on His ticket. And I pray that you will trust Jesus Christ and stop trying to bat a thousand — because you ended up not doing that a long time ago. Accept God’s free ticket through Jesus Christ.
Question 4: What’s going to happen to those people in the world who’ve never heard about Jesus Christ?
You may have heard this question put this way: “What about the person living in the jungle somewhere who’s never heard the good news about Jesus Christ? Are you Christians saying that a person won’t go to heaven based solely on where he lives?”
No, we’re not saying that. The Bible tells us that God doesn’t work that way. We understand that God is perfect in His love and perfect in His holiness and He’s perfectly just and fair. Therefore, it’s against God’s nature to be unfair. It’s against God’s nature to hide the ball on salvation or to condemn somebody who’s ignorant of His truth. In fact, the Bible declares that God is loving and patient and not willing that anybody should perish. He wants everybody to come to repentance and to come to know Him.
If God is a perfectly loving and righteous God, then He will figure out ways to help people understand Him. He somehow reveals the simple truth of the gospel to people throughout the world. You know, I’ve talked to people who were missionaries in Africa who’ve told me that Jesus has revealed Himself through nature. When you look at nature you learn that God is organized, that God is creative, that God likes variety. But it’s when we look at Jesus Christ, we realize that God is loving.
And as Christians we are called to tell the good news to other people. It’s God’s decision to decide what happens to people who haven’t heard about Him. But it is our decision to take that news to as many people as possible. And the Bible says we will be held more responsible because we have heard and we have known that God is love, that God wants a relationship to us and that God will forgive us if we give our lives to Jesus Christ.
So, what do we do about those who haven’t heard? We tell them. First, we accept God’s good news and then we tell people about it. Then, we leave the result in the hands of a fair, loving, and just God.
Question 5: What about all the wars that are caused in the name of Christianity?
Well first, let me say that a lot of things have been done in the name of Christianity that Jesus Christ would totally disavow. Just because someone claims to be a Christian doesn’t necessarily make him a follower of Christ, nor does it make him a representative of Jesus. It’s very, very important to distinguish between the Bible kind of Christianity and the actions that have been taken throughout history by people who claimed to be Christians, but who really didn’t know Jesus.
You see, there’s a difference between religion and a relationship with God. Jesus is not interested in the religion of Christianity. He’s interested in you having a relationship to Him. Jesus never said, “I’ve come that you might have religion.” He said, “I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”
A lot of people have claimed to be followers of Christ, but they’ve lived their lives contrary to His teaching. We shouldn’t label this group "Christian." But let me say this: have you ever seen a counterfeit dollar? Well, maybe you haven’t, but maybe you’ve heard of them. Why are there counterfeit dollars in the world? Well, I’ll tell you why. Because there are real dollars in the world. If there were no real dollars, there would be no counterfeits. And if you find counterfeit Christianity in the world, it must mean that somewhere there must be the real thing. The point is, we don’t identify Jesus by claiming that all the things that were done in His name were done by Him. In fact, Jesus prevented His own disciples from defending themselves against the enemies when He said, “I want you to turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39).
A lot of wars have been done in the name of Christianity that Jesus probably would have disavowed. The real issue is: do you know Jesus Christ? You see, it doesn’t matter so much what has been done by hypocrites or phonies or false followers of Christ. What matters is: do you know the real, true, genuine item? Have you ever turned your life over to Jesus Christ? If you haven’t, I would encourage you to investigate Him today.
Question 6: Is there any real right or wrong?
You might have heard somebody say, “I don’t believe there’s such a thing as right or wrong.” Or maybe you’ve heard a professor say, “There are no absolutes.” Whenever I hear that I want to say, “Are you absolutely sure?” You have to ask yourself, “Is this statement even logical? Is there any right or wrong?” Because when people say, “There is no right or wrong, or it’s wrong for you to impose your morals on me,” think about it. By them telling you that, they are imposing their morals on you.
The fact is, we all inherently know right from wrong. We just have this weird tendency to disregard it, especially when it conflicts with our desires for pleasure or personal gain. Now, sure, you might justify having an affair, but certainly you wouldn’t condone your spouse having one. Or you might justify taking something without permission, but if you were the one being robbed you wouldn’t think it was okay. There isn’t a person alive today who’d come home from work and discover that their entire house had been robbed and say, “Oh, how wonderful that this burglar is able to enjoy all my things without my permission. And who am I to impose my view of right or wrong on this poor burglar?” You see how ridiculous that is? Of course.
Even those who claim there is no right or wrong have their own moral conscience, they’ve just set their own standards. Here’s a good way to determine right from wrong. Turn the situation around on yourself. Jesus said it best. He said, “Treat people the same way you want people to treat you.” You see we all know that murder and rape and lying and stealing and torture and injustice are absolutely wrong. Why? Because we wouldn’t want any of these things to happen to us. The person who would say, “there is no right or wrong,” would not agree that it was okay to be raped. No, when you turn it on yourself, you realize that even inside ourselves God has placed a moral conscience and that conscience tells us when we do right and when we do wrong. And when we violate our conscience, we need forgiveness. That’s why the Bible said, “God sent Jesus to earth so that we might be forgiven of all of our wrong.”
Question 7: Why do I exist?
That’s the most fundamental question of life. What on earth am I here for? Well, you need to understand God to answer that question. The Bible says, “God is love.” It doesn’t say He has love; it says He is love. It’s part of His nature, His character, it is the essence of His being. God is love. Now, love isn’t very valuable unless you bestow it on something. The Bible says, “God made you to love you.” You were created as an object of God’s love. If you want to know why you’re taking breath right now, why your heart is beating, it’s because God made you to love you. It’s the sole reason. You were made to be loved by God and to bring Him pleasure.
Now God wants you to learn to love Him back; that’s the first purpose of your life. One day Jesus was walking down the street and a man came up and said, “What’s the most important command in the Bible?” And Jesus said, “I’m going to summarize the entire Bible in one sentence. Love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.”
God wants you to get to know Him and love Him back. So that means when you get up in the morning, you should sit on the side of your bed and say, “God, if I don’t get anything else done today, I want to know you a little bit better and I want to love you a little bit more.” Because if at the end of the day you know God more and you love Him more, you have just fulfilled one of the purposes of your life.
If, on the other hand, you’ve accomplished all kinds of things and achieved many, many successes in life, but at the end of the day you don’t know God better or love Him more, you have missed the primary purpose of your life. Because God didn’t put you on this earth just to mark things off your to-do list. He put you here to know Him and love Him. That’s why you exist.
Question 8: What is my purpose in life?
Well the truth is, God created you for five purposes. You see, you were made by God and you were made for God. And until you understand that, life isn’t going to make sense. When you come to this question, you only have three options.
First is what I call the mystical approach, and that is to look within. You find this in a lot of talk shows, a lot of new age books, and a lot of seminars. They say, “Look within to discover your purpose.” The only problem is that doesn’t work. We’ve all looked within and didn’t like what we saw. It’s quite confusing. In fact, if we could know the purpose of life by looking within, we’d all know it by now. It doesn’t work.
The second way you can try to discover your purpose is called the intellectual or philosophical approach. And that’s where you go to a seminary class or university class and you sit there with a pipe and your latte and you ask questions like, “Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going?”
I once read a book by professor John Morehead, the Head of the Department of Philosophy at Northeastern University in Illinois. And he wrote to 250 well-known intellectuals and asked them, “What is the meaning and purpose of life?” These were novelists, scientists, well-known intellectuals. I read the book (now out of print), and it was quite depressing because most of the people said, “I have no idea what the purpose of life is.” Some of them admitted they just made up a purpose. And some of them admitted they guessed. And some of them said, “If you know the purpose, please tell me.”
You see, there’s a better answer to speculation and that’s revelation. If I were to hold up an invention that you have never seen before, you wouldn’t know its purpose. The only way you’d know its purpose was either talk to the creator who made it, or read the owner’s manual. The owner’s manual of life is the Bible and your Creator is God. And it is only as you get to know God you will discover His five purposes for your life. I hope you’ll begin that journey today.
Question 9: Does my life really matter?
Well, it’s a good question. You know, today we teach our kids that we’re all just one big cosmic accident. We came from the goo through the zoo to you over billions of years. Well, if that is true, in a nutshell it teaches that your life really doesn’t matter, you’re just the freak accident of random chance, you’re complex slime, and you were an accident. And if you get accidentally killed, well, of course, that doesn’t matter. It creates a lot of our sociological problems and a lot of our self-esteem issues.
But the truth is, you are not an accident. You were created by a loving God who loves you and designed you with intricate detail in your life. When you understand that God made you to love you and that God made you to be a part of His family and that God made you to last forever, then you’re never going to have a problem with low self-esteem again.
It was Bertram Russell, an atheist, who once said, “Unless you assume the existence of God, then the purpose and meaning of life is irrelevant.” The truth is, if there is no God your life doesn’t matter. But because there is a God, and He had a specific purpose in mind when He created you, you do matter. You matter because God created you. You matter because He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross. If you want to know how much you matter, think of Jesus Christ with His arms outstretched saying, “I love you this much.”
Now, if you had to choose between a loved one and a material thing, even if that thing was priceless, you’d chose your loved one in a heartbeat. When you’re on your deathbed, you’re not going to surround yourself with material possessions. You’re not going to say, “Bring me my trophies. Bring me my credentials. Bring me my certificates so I can look one more time at my grade point average.” No, you’re going to surround yourself with loved ones and everybody’s going to be crying because they’re going to miss you. You see, that’s how much you matter.
Personal relationships to God and to other people are the most important thing in life. God wants you to know Him and He wants you to have a relationship with Him because you’re worth so much in God’s eyes that He sent His Son to die for you. I hope you’ll get to know Him very soon.
Question 10: Is there a real hell and why would a loving God send anyone there?
Well, first I believe in hell because Jesus talked about it. In fact, Jesus talked more about hell then He did heaven. He said it is a real place and it is a place of eternal torment. And I believe Jesus knows more about it than either you or I. But second, I believe in hell because logic and fairness demand it. Think of all the atrocities and evil that have been done throughout history by evildoers in this world. For God to allow those crimes to go unpunished would mean that God is not worthy of our worship and love.
Why would a loving God send anyone to hell? Well in a nutshell, He doesn’t. God doesn’t send anybody to hell. We choose to go there when we reject the love of God. Imagine I was to say to you, "On my right is a door heading to heaven, and on my left is a door heading to hell." If you walk out the door heading to hell, you don’t have anybody to blame but yourself.
In fact, the Bible tells us that God does almost everything – well everything possible — to keep us out of hell. He cared so much to keep us out of hell that He sent Jesus Christ to come to earth, to die on the cross, to pay for our sins so that we don’t have to pay for them. He wants to set us free. He wants to give us forgiveness. God made us in His image and He gave us the ultimate power to say yes or no.
If we choose to reject God here on earth, then we, at the same time, are choosing to spend eternity separated from Him. You see, there are only two kinds of people in the world. Those who say, “God, may your will be done” and those to whom God says, “Your will be done.” When we say, “I want to do it my way,” we essentially say to God, “I don’t want you in my life while I’m here on earth.” Then God says, “I don’t want you in my heaven for eternity.”
You don’t have to go to hell. In fact, Jesus Christ has made it possible for you to go to heaven. Open your heart to Him and say, “Jesus Christ, I need you, I want you, I trust you, and I ask you to forgive me.” And He’ll come in and save you.
Grow your faith this year
With the New Year underway, there are some things you may want to make a priority in 2020. Many people will have goals relating to relationships (socialize more), health (go to the gym frequently), education or finances (get top grades or get a promotion). Although these things are of some value, spiritual disciplines are valuable in every way. So, for 2020 here are some spiritual disciplines you can try:
Pray more
Colossians 4:2-4 tells us to devote ourselves to prayer. We pray to align our heart’s desires to God's. It is the will of God that we pray consistently and He also delights in our prayers (Proverbs 15:8).
Set aside time each day to pray, free from any distractions. If you sometimes find yourself not knowing what to pray for, make a list of things that you are thankful for, prayer requests from family and friends, not forgetting your country and the world. Also pray for the persecuted church and the local church.
Read more
Read the word of God diligently and frequently, not just reading the words but actually processing and putting the word into action.
A really good way to dig deep is to get a notebook and pen and write down the verse or chapter and look at each word, questioning why they were used or the context and what it means for us today. Remember, the Bible is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16)!
Bible reading plans also help to explore the Bible thoroughly. Maybe 2020 is the year you read the whole Bible!
Furthermore, the Bible is at the tip of our fingers with many Bible apps available. You can even listen to the Bible on the bus or in the car or during chores. The possibilities are endless.
Try fasting
Fasting is a way to show God that nothing else matters (not even food) apart from Him. If giving up food isn’t right for you, you can fast from things that you are really used to doing. For example, try to have ‘internet-free days’ where you do not use the internet for social media or for anything else, with the goal to sharpen your affections for Christ.
Wonder more
Take time to wonder at God’s glory through his creation.
Look at a tree, marvel at your fingerprints, count the stars or just take a few more seconds savoring your foods. Whatever you do, be still and know that the Lord is God (Psalm 46:10).
Follow them through
Finally, it is very easy to write these resolutions down, but difficult to actually do them.
Many people tend to give up their resolutions in February. But we as Christians are not like ‘many people’, so make the effort to follow these resolutions throughout the year and into the future. God will work through your efforts to grow your faith!
Commitment to Christ
When you hear the words “dedication” or “loyalty, “what comes to mind? Does the concept of commitment ever seem frightening to you? From careers to relationships, the lack of commitment in our culture is everywhere. The concept has affected the heart of the church as well.
The term “Christian” is supposed to refer to someone who lives their life “following Christ. “Yet, if you look at the church today, many believers only follow Christ when it is convenient and/or easy for them.
So, what does the Bible have to say?
True commitment to Christ involves a determination to follow Him all the time, no matter what! Note what the Bible says hinders our commitment to Christ:
John 12:42-43–A desire to please people over God.
Hebrews. 2:1–Being distracted which causes us to drift away.
Note what the Bible says helps our commitment to Christ?
Deuteronomy 6:5–A love for God that consumes our whole existence.
Psalm. 51:10–A desire and passion to live godly lives.
John 6:66-68–A focus on Christ who has the words of life.
Ecclesiastes. 9:10–Making the most of the time we have on earth.
So, what should I do?
A commitment to Christ is about living for God no matter the cost! It is a willingness to make necessary changes in your private and social life and a willingness to be bold and take a stand for truth. A committed Christian realizes that any other pursuit in life falls short of the joy that comes with living wholeheartedly for our Savior Jesus Christ (Philippians. 3:8)! Does the level of commitment you have need improvement?
When you hear the words “dedication” or “loyalty, “what comes to mind? Does the concept of commitment ever seem frightening to you? From careers to relationships, the lack of commitment in our culture is everywhere. The concept has affected the heart of the church as well.
The term “Christian” is supposed to refer to someone who lives their life “following Christ. “Yet, if you look at the church today, many believers only follow Christ when it is convenient and/or easy for them.
So, what does the Bible have to say?
True commitment to Christ involves a determination to follow Him all the time, no matter what! Note what the Bible says hinders our commitment to Christ:
John 12:42-43–A desire to please people over God.
Hebrews. 2:1–Being distracted which causes us to drift away.
Note what the Bible says helps our commitment to Christ?
Deuteronomy 6:5–A love for God that consumes our whole existence.
Psalm. 51:10–A desire and passion to live godly lives.
John 6:66-68–A focus on Christ who has the words of life.
Ecclesiastes. 9:10–Making the most of the time we have on earth.
So, what should I do?
A commitment to Christ is about living for God no matter the cost! It is a willingness to make necessary changes in your private and social life and a willingness to be bold and take a stand for truth. A committed Christian realizes that any other pursuit in life falls short of the joy that comes with living wholeheartedly for our Savior Jesus Christ (Philippians. 3:8)! Does the level of commitment you have need improvement?
Transformed
Popular culture is all around us – from music, to movies, to video games! But as Christians, how are we meant to engage with pop culture? Let’s find out! What the Bible says about pop culture The Bible doesn’t specifically mention popular culture, so to speak. But it has some relevant things to say! We need to be careful of the world The world around us is very loud and influential, and it has a lot of power over who we are and how we act. But the Bible warns us that we actually need to be really careful about the world. Romans 12:2 says: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. James 4:4 goes even further: You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. As Christians we are meant to be set apart from the world, not embracing everything it has to offer but standing out as followers of the God. Enjoying life is good! However, that’s not to say we have to hate everything the world produces! In fact, James 1:17 tells us, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. That means that some of the fun pop culture things we enjoy – music, movies, games and more – are gifts from God that he wants us to enjoy! God isn’t a killjoy. He loves it when his children are enjoying the good things he gives them – as long as we’re doing it wisely. Let’s get practical So, we can engage with pop culture, but we need to be careful, and do it wisely. What does that actually look like in practice? Let’s consider these questions. Is it legal? A lot of the pop culture content that’s popular can be accessed illegally for free, but as Samuel Mills explains, there are many reasons not to pirate: “1. It’s not loving In Romans 13:9, Paul tells us that God's commandments, including ‘Do not steal’ are summed up as “love your neighbor as yourself.” Internet Piracy is a form of intellectual theft. Think about it – if you created a TV show, film or album, would you want others to steal it? We should be loving and actually pay artists and producers for what they produce, rather than downloading it illegally from the net. 2. We should obey the authorities Internet piracy is not just against God’s rule to love our neighbors as ourselves, it’s also against the laws of our government. Earlier in Romans 13, Paul says “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities...Pay to all what is owed to them…revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed....” Part of being subject to our authorities is paying our dues ... in this case to those who own the rights to the media. 3. Not getting caught doesn’t make it okay Internet piracy isn’t very easy for authorities to police – this is partly why it’s so widespread. People can get away with, and so they do it. This “it’s only illegal if you get caught” attitude may be the view of many in our society, but it shouldn’t hold true for Christians. We should obey our government’s laws not simply to avoiding getting in trouble, but in order to respect the authorities instituted by God. We might be able to pirate without the government knowing, but God still sees us. 4. Just because everyone is doing it doesn’t make it okay Piracy is widespread. But as Christians, we are called to stand out from the crowd, “to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11). Internet piracy is an opportunity for us to stand out as God’s people, and who knows, people might “see our good deeds and glorify God”. (1 Peter 2:12)” Is it helpful or appropriate for Christians? There are some things that it’s obviously not appropriate for Christians to engage with – explicit sex, content that degrades others, or insults God, for example. The Bible says we have to be careful about the things we look at. In Psalm 101:3 we read; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. Our discretion is really important when choosing what is helpful or appropriate for us: “I honestly believe the messages a movie communicates are more important than the rating. But this does not mean we throw caution to the wind when it comes to sex or violence. We still need to be wise about what we allow ourselves to be entertained by. "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial" (1 Cor 10:23). So, look at content advisories before you watch a movie. Consider how that movie will affect your walk with Jesus.” Whether we realize it or not, what we pump into our brains does have an impact and influence. Remember the “computer rule”? Garbage in, garbage out. Does it take up too much time? Pop culture and entertainment can become a bit of an obsession, or even an addiction. Jesse Rider points out that becoming overly reliant on popular culture can cause us to sacrifice more important things: Do your friendships and family relationships suffer because of your desire to be entertained? Do you find yourself not wanting to be around people so you can spend more time with your entertainment? These are great indications that you may have an entertainment addiction. This could lead to disconnecting from the outside world and a very selfish mindset. Your entertainment could be the most important thing, not serving others. Use your wisdom If you’re doing it legally, it’s not unhelpful or inappropriate, and it doesn’t take up too much time, it’s probably fine and fun for you to engage with pop culture! But use your wisdom and make sure to ask a trusted older Christian if you’re struggling with how much of the world to engage with – it’s a tricky balance to strike but there are plenty of people out there who will help you. Questions to think about Consider some of the most famous artworks and music from history. What is their subject? (Hint: lots of them are about God!) God is the provider of all good things. What pop culture things do you love that you thank God for? Favorite artists, movies, TV shows, social networks… How can you wisely engage with pop culture? What could you do if you were struggling to figure out of an element of pop culture was appropriate for Christians? |
Satan owns the fence
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth
Revelation 3:15-16
Goldilocks was hungry. She tasted the porridge from the first bowl. “This porridge is too hot!” she exclaimed. So, she tasted the porridge from the second bowl. “This porridge is too cold,” she said. So, she tasted the last bowl of porridge. “Ahhh, this porridge is just right,” she said happily and she ate it all up.
According to Goldilocks, being lukewarm is just right. But what is good for porridge isn’t good for our spiritual lives. Jesus tells us that “because you are lukewarm … I am about to spit you out of my mouth!” That’s strong language. What’s so bad about being “lukewarm?” Notice how our passage from Revelation 3:15-16 begins: “I know your deeds.” The focus here is on what we do, because our outward actions reflect the condition of our inner hearts (James 2:17).
It’s easy to see why someone should be “hot,” passionate for God and His word. When Jesus cleared the temple, kicking out the money changers and merchants, “His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me'” (John 2:17). Jesus demonstrated His zeal by helping the poor, curing the sick, encouraging the discouraged, and preaching God’s word to those who had lost hope.
But what about being “cold?” Jesus says that being cold is still better than being lukewarm because of something else He preached against: hypocrisy. It’s hypocritical to be half-heartedly seeking God.
During our spiritual valleys, we should be honest about how we feel. Reading the Psalms can be tremendously helpful during such times. King David is an example of someone who was hardly lukewarm about anything in his life. His Psalms fluctuate between praising God and sorrowfully crying out. Being cold is still worse than being hot, but at least if we admit we are sometimes “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17), we are being honest with ourselves and with God, and we can ask God to help us regain the passion we once had.
Has your spiritual life felt “lukewarm” lately? Has your relationship with God become routine, or even boring? If so, perhaps it’s time to seek a revitalized relationship with the God who yearns for your passionate commitment. In conclusion to the “lukewarm” passage Jesus gives us a promise:
“To those who are victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21, TNIV).
What has your spiritual life felt like lately? What steps do you plan to take to improve your relationship with the Lord?
Angry, irritated, infuriated, enraged, furious,
… all or some of the above?
Anger is an emotion that can have a serious impact on your home life, friendships, and even your walk with God.
Biblically speaking, anger in itself is not wrong when it is directed at sin with the right attitude (even God gets angry at sin.
Joshua 7:1
But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So, the LORD's anger burned against Israel.
But when anger is rooted in a desire for retaliation or getting even, it is wrong. This is selfish, and it boils over from inward frustration and rage, leading to more trouble.
Proverbs. 29:22
An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
. What does the Bible say? Note what the Bible says about the seriousness of anger:
James 1:19-20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Our anger doesn’t produce anything good.
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:6-8.
Harsh words destroy; root of many problems. Note what the Bible says about handling anger:
In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
Ephesians 4:26
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
Do not sin, resolve anger issues quickly.
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
Proverbs 22: 24-25
A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11
Replace feelings of anger with a forgiving heart. Note what the Bible says about being on guard against anger. Avoid those with anger issues; It is wise to ignore offenses done against you. What should I do? There will be moments of frustration in life, and there will be times when people do things that offend us. The key is how we handle such things. Inappropriate words and actions to fight back do not please the Lord, nor do they show a trust in God’s sovereign hand over the situation. Fighting back only leads to regretful actions and damaged relationships. Having an attitude of patience and forgiveness, however, shows that we understand God’s patience and forgiveness toward us!
… all or some of the above?
Anger is an emotion that can have a serious impact on your home life, friendships, and even your walk with God.
Biblically speaking, anger in itself is not wrong when it is directed at sin with the right attitude (even God gets angry at sin.
Joshua 7:1
But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So, the LORD's anger burned against Israel.
But when anger is rooted in a desire for retaliation or getting even, it is wrong. This is selfish, and it boils over from inward frustration and rage, leading to more trouble.
Proverbs. 29:22
An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
. What does the Bible say? Note what the Bible says about the seriousness of anger:
James 1:19-20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Our anger doesn’t produce anything good.
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:6-8.
Harsh words destroy; root of many problems. Note what the Bible says about handling anger:
In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
Ephesians 4:26
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
Do not sin, resolve anger issues quickly.
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
Proverbs 22: 24-25
A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11
Replace feelings of anger with a forgiving heart. Note what the Bible says about being on guard against anger. Avoid those with anger issues; It is wise to ignore offenses done against you. What should I do? There will be moments of frustration in life, and there will be times when people do things that offend us. The key is how we handle such things. Inappropriate words and actions to fight back do not please the Lord, nor do they show a trust in God’s sovereign hand over the situation. Fighting back only leads to regretful actions and damaged relationships. Having an attitude of patience and forgiveness, however, shows that we understand God’s patience and forgiveness toward us!
Pushing the limits
Far too often we try to push the limits of what we know we should not do. We often live trying to see how much we can “get away with” without actually crossing the line and sinning.
Should we really be flirting with sin and trying to get as close to the edge as possible, or should we have a different focus?
What does the Bible say? What do these verses say about the focus we should have?
1 Chronicles. 28:9 - God knows our heart, He wants us to seek Him.
Psalm. 27:4 - Our sole focus should be to grow closer to God.
Psalm. 139:23-24- We should ask God to direct us in His ways.
Prov. 16:2-Beyond just our actions, God looks at our motives.
2 Timothy. 2:22- Flee the dangers of sin and pursue godliness.
What should I do? Scripture gives overwhelming support that our focus should not be on pushing the limits, but rather on being committed to doing all things in a way that clearly glorifies God and draws us closer to Him in obedience. Some good questions we must ask ourselves are:
1.How well are my actions pleasing God? (I Corinthians 10:31)2. How well are my actions drawing me closer to God?
(James 4:8)
God is not pleased when our desire is to push to the edge of what we think is “okay” (He does not want us going in the direction that leads us away from Him)! However, God is pleased when we make decisions that draw us closer to Him in obedience. Let us apply these principles to every aspect of our lives, so that in all we do, we will continually be pursuing Him and His righteousness (Matthew. 6:33; 1 Timothy. 6:11).
Far too often we try to push the limits of what we know we should not do. We often live trying to see how much we can “get away with” without actually crossing the line and sinning.
Should we really be flirting with sin and trying to get as close to the edge as possible, or should we have a different focus?
What does the Bible say? What do these verses say about the focus we should have?
1 Chronicles. 28:9 - God knows our heart, He wants us to seek Him.
Psalm. 27:4 - Our sole focus should be to grow closer to God.
Psalm. 139:23-24- We should ask God to direct us in His ways.
Prov. 16:2-Beyond just our actions, God looks at our motives.
2 Timothy. 2:22- Flee the dangers of sin and pursue godliness.
What should I do? Scripture gives overwhelming support that our focus should not be on pushing the limits, but rather on being committed to doing all things in a way that clearly glorifies God and draws us closer to Him in obedience. Some good questions we must ask ourselves are:
1.How well are my actions pleasing God? (I Corinthians 10:31)2. How well are my actions drawing me closer to God?
(James 4:8)
God is not pleased when our desire is to push to the edge of what we think is “okay” (He does not want us going in the direction that leads us away from Him)! However, God is pleased when we make decisions that draw us closer to Him in obedience. Let us apply these principles to every aspect of our lives, so that in all we do, we will continually be pursuing Him and His righteousness (Matthew. 6:33; 1 Timothy. 6:11).
Crushed
Someone you trusted turned on you and walked away, something you were counting on fell apart, your heart feels like it is breaking into a million pieces… there’s no more tears to cry and you just feel numb, lost and broken. Does this describe your experience? Are you there right now?
Psalm 34:18 says, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
When sadness and depression settle into one’s mind, heart, and soul, it is not easy to shuck the feelings off, break out of the rut, and move on as some may suggest or think. At times, inner despair remains regardless of the goodwill offered from those that care. If this sounds like you, realize you are not alone. Many others have or are currently battling with valleys of darkness too.
Are you aware that numerous men and women of the Bible struggled with sadness? Yes, God-believing people experienced depressed feelings, emotional grief, and times of despair.
Moses asked God to take his life (Numbers 11:10-15).
Job cursed the day of his birth (Job 3:1-26).
Jonah was angry with God and wanted to die (Jonah 4:3-9).
Hanna grieved because her womb remained closed for many years (1 Samuel 1:1-16).
Tamara, after her brother raped her, lived a desolate life (2 Samuel 13:1-21).
Naomi was filled with bitterness and pain after experiencing multiple hardships (Ruth 1:1-20).
Hagar sobbed in the desert as her son was about to die (Genesis 21:15-16).
There are multiple reasons why these people incurred feelings of despair, but only one awesome God that loved and helped each one out. Moses was overwhelmed so God appointed him some help (through his brother, Aaron). Job lost everything but God blessed him in his latter years. After Hanna poured her heart out to the Lord, He opened her womb and she gave birth to a son. As Hagar cried in the wilderness, God provided for her and her child’s needs.
Sullenness can enter one’s life after defeat or loss, following a huge spiritual triumph, after committing sin, from the hands of someone else’s wrongdoings or poor choices, or even from a chemical imbalance. No matter what the problem or cause of people’s sadness, God is still ready and able to help His beloved children. He will go through great lengths to restore that which is broken and crushed in spirit. God’s Word says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
If you are feeling down know that God is with you. He knows what you are going through and He does not want you to remain broken, crushed in spirit. Invite Him into every area of your life that needs healing. Allow His Spirit and word to comfort you. Reach out and let others aid and encourage you along the way too. Brighter days will transpire as you place your hope in the Lord and take the necessary steps He asks you to take.
Here is suggested prayer for today:
Father God, my feelings and emotions have been troubling me. I pray that You will restore me back to wholeness so I can live the joyful life You offer. I am sorry for anything that I have done that may have caused this downcast within me. I ask that You fill me with the Light of Your Spirit so I can arise from this state of gloominess. Fill me with Your joy and peace. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Decisions, decisions
Have you ever made a really bad decision? Or maybe sometimes you just struggle with making a decision. Maybe you’re afraid to make the wrong choice and so it’s hard for you to commit to making a decision and stick with it. Making decisions can be tricky at times, but here’s a few thoughts that we think will help make the decision-making process easier.
God wants to help. God wants to lead and guide His children into making good decisions. Whether it’s what car to buy, or who to date, God is interested in helping you make a good decision about that thing. So, lean on His wisdom and include Him in the decision-making process.
“Those who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children.” – Romans 8:14
Spend time with God. To really get to know God and get His take on your decisions, you’ve got to start by spending time hanging out with God. You get to know God better by reading the Bible and talking to God/praying. So, invest the time now getting to know God so that when a time of decision comes, you’re ready to know and hear His voice.
Don’t get mad if you don’t get an answer right away. It’s easy to pray about something and expect an answer right that second. Sometimes, the answer doesn’t always come right away. So, don’t give up or back out on involving God in your decisions if you don’t hear anything right away. Choose to hang in there, knowing that God will always come through for you.
Balance God’s wisdom with other people’s wisdom. If God speaks to you about a decision always go with what God says, not what others say. However, if you haven’t really heard anything from God about a decision, it’s okay to ask other people for advice or help. Some decisions aren’t world altering, and so it’s totally fine to just lean on the advice, thoughts, or wisdom of others.
Making better decisions always starts by putting God and His word first in your life. If you’ll choose to always put those things first in your life, you’ll find that you’ll be making better decisions and living with less regret. Choose to always put God and the Bible first in your life!
Have you ever made a really bad decision? Or maybe sometimes you just struggle with making a decision. Maybe you’re afraid to make the wrong choice and so it’s hard for you to commit to making a decision and stick with it. Making decisions can be tricky at times, but here’s a few thoughts that we think will help make the decision-making process easier.
God wants to help. God wants to lead and guide His children into making good decisions. Whether it’s what car to buy, or who to date, God is interested in helping you make a good decision about that thing. So, lean on His wisdom and include Him in the decision-making process.
“Those who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children.” – Romans 8:14
Spend time with God. To really get to know God and get His take on your decisions, you’ve got to start by spending time hanging out with God. You get to know God better by reading the Bible and talking to God/praying. So, invest the time now getting to know God so that when a time of decision comes, you’re ready to know and hear His voice.
Don’t get mad if you don’t get an answer right away. It’s easy to pray about something and expect an answer right that second. Sometimes, the answer doesn’t always come right away. So, don’t give up or back out on involving God in your decisions if you don’t hear anything right away. Choose to hang in there, knowing that God will always come through for you.
Balance God’s wisdom with other people’s wisdom. If God speaks to you about a decision always go with what God says, not what others say. However, if you haven’t really heard anything from God about a decision, it’s okay to ask other people for advice or help. Some decisions aren’t world altering, and so it’s totally fine to just lean on the advice, thoughts, or wisdom of others.
Making better decisions always starts by putting God and His word first in your life. If you’ll choose to always put those things first in your life, you’ll find that you’ll be making better decisions and living with less regret. Choose to always put God and the Bible first in your life!
Why no answer?
If you’ve been praying for something for a long time and still don’t seem to have a response from God, it is understandable that you might be starting to wonder about whether God is ever going to answer.
Why doesn’t God always answer our prayers? Let’s take a look.
Is he listening?
The first question you may ask is, is God actually listening? But the Bible assures us over and over that God hears our prayers. Grab a Bible and take a look at the following verses:
John 9:31
1 Peter 3:12
1 John 5:15
Jeremiah 29:12-13
Psalm 66:17-20
So why is he ignoring my prayer?
Just because God hasn’t answered your prayer the way you want him to doesn’t mean he hasn’t answered!
When you were little and you asked your parents for a snack, they would normally give one of three responses: yes, no, or wait. All of those responses are an answer, even if they weren’t the answer you wanted!
Sometimes God answers our prayers with a yes, but sometimes he says no, or wait.
Why would God say no to a prayer?
It can be really hard when God’s answer to a prayer is no, particularly if it’s something we really want, like healing of a loved one or to get into a certain university.
But if God says no to a prayer, he always has a reason. God’s plans and purposes are not always clear to us. In fact, they rarely are! But sometimes we get a glimpse of why God says no to a prayer later on, when we realize that God saying no opened up certain opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise have happened.
Sometimes, God says no and we’ll never understand fully why until Jesus returns. At that point, it’s important that we remember key truths about God: he is fully good, he has infinite wisdom, he loves us, and he will give his people eternal life through Jesus.
How do I wait for God to reply?
If you’re waiting for God to answer a prayer, it can be really hard not to grow impatient or frustrated. But Psalm 27:13-14 reminds and urges:
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
God might be asking you to wait, but he is always good, and however he chooses to answer your prayer will be the right response.
Bottom line: Keep praying, keep believing. Never stop and never give up!
If you’ve been praying for something for a long time and still don’t seem to have a response from God, it is understandable that you might be starting to wonder about whether God is ever going to answer.
Why doesn’t God always answer our prayers? Let’s take a look.
Is he listening?
The first question you may ask is, is God actually listening? But the Bible assures us over and over that God hears our prayers. Grab a Bible and take a look at the following verses:
John 9:31
1 Peter 3:12
1 John 5:15
Jeremiah 29:12-13
Psalm 66:17-20
So why is he ignoring my prayer?
Just because God hasn’t answered your prayer the way you want him to doesn’t mean he hasn’t answered!
When you were little and you asked your parents for a snack, they would normally give one of three responses: yes, no, or wait. All of those responses are an answer, even if they weren’t the answer you wanted!
Sometimes God answers our prayers with a yes, but sometimes he says no, or wait.
Why would God say no to a prayer?
It can be really hard when God’s answer to a prayer is no, particularly if it’s something we really want, like healing of a loved one or to get into a certain university.
But if God says no to a prayer, he always has a reason. God’s plans and purposes are not always clear to us. In fact, they rarely are! But sometimes we get a glimpse of why God says no to a prayer later on, when we realize that God saying no opened up certain opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise have happened.
Sometimes, God says no and we’ll never understand fully why until Jesus returns. At that point, it’s important that we remember key truths about God: he is fully good, he has infinite wisdom, he loves us, and he will give his people eternal life through Jesus.
How do I wait for God to reply?
If you’re waiting for God to answer a prayer, it can be really hard not to grow impatient or frustrated. But Psalm 27:13-14 reminds and urges:
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
God might be asking you to wait, but he is always good, and however he chooses to answer your prayer will be the right response.
Bottom line: Keep praying, keep believing. Never stop and never give up!
You are forgiven… live like it
They say that hurt people hurt people. The same can be said of forgiven people — they forgive. When we realize that we truly are forgiven by God, we're able to forgive the people who wrong us. There is so much freedom in that.
But sometimes forgiving others doesn't feel like freedom; it feels like a heavy burden. Have you ever told God that you can't forgive, that it's too hard? Then you might have misunderstood what forgiveness means.
If we think forgiveness means giving in, we will resist forgiving. If we believe that forgiving means pretending that the offense never occurred or letting the other person get away with what they've done, that will make forgiveness seem impossible. But that is not what forgiveness means.
The best definition of forgiveness I ever heard came from my pastor a few years ago. He said that forgiveness means giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness means agreeing not to retaliate or to escalate the situation. It's important to note that forgiveness does not preclude pursuing justice. Forgiveness and seeking for justice can both be part of your healing journey, especially if you have been the victim of crime or abuse.
In her excellent article, Does Forgiveness = No Consequences? Lynette Hoy wisely notes that there may be a need to set new boundaries after we've forgiven someone. Forgiveness does not require us to just go back to the way things were. Rather, forgiving means that we are willing to begin a journey toward restitution. Forgiveness opens up a dialogue. Restitution takes time. Forgiveness is the first step of that process.
So how do you know if you're living as a forgiving person?
Is there someone you tend to avoid? Your issue with them may stem from a lack of forgiveness.
Are you easily offended? Sometimes when we feel attacked it's because we're nursing a sore spot from a wound that has not healed. It can be hard to forgive, but it's the only thing that will take away the sting of an injury.
Do you catch yourself getting angry often? A very wise friend once told me that in AA they teach that, the pain we inflict on others is directly proportional to the pain we feel inside. If you find yourself lashing out, look at your own heart. Is it hurting?
Peace allows us to be generous
Forgiveness brings peace and when we're at peace, we are able to be generous. When I am at peace with myself, I can assume the best of you, even if we've had an issue in the past. When I am secure in myself, I don't have to worry that complimenting you might diminish me. My identity is not threatened. When I truly believe that my destiny is in God's hands, I don't have to look for the advantage or a way to get ahead. I already have what I need.
I've heard it said that as Christians, we are resurrection people. We are the ones who believe that new life is possible. In Revelation 21:5, the One who sits on the throne says plainly, I am making everything new! We have this promise again in 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
We know that God can make all things new because we've seen it. In John 11, we see Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus died, the temple curtain tore; this is such a powerful image confirming that the old ways are gone and the new has come. On a very personal level, we know God makes things new because we're seeing God make us more and more like Christ as we walk in the Spirit.
Corinthians 3:13 puts it so simply, forgive as the Lord forgave you. Christians are forgiven people. When we live as forgiven people, willing to forgive in turn, then we truly live as resurrection people. This is the story of Easter lived out in our daily lives — redemption and revival up close. This is the on-going miracle: that broken people, dearly loved, can learn to love broken people.
You can experience the peace that forgiveness brings by taking these steps:
1. Let God teach you how to forgive in his strength Ask God if there is anyone you have not forgiven. If he brings someone to mind, ask God to enable you to forgive in his strength. Then step out in faith, forgiving that person and, if possible, beginning a process of restoration with them.
Pay close attention to your attitude toward this person. Any time Satan tries to bring up the old hurt, stop and pray, asking God to fill your mind with peace — knowing that you have forgiven and that the offense no longer holds any power over you.
2. Let Go of Any Shame Linked to That Event Read Jeremiah 31:3, The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."
Spend some time in focused prayer and ask God to show you any hurt or shame that you have not brought to him. Ask him to show you any thoughts, ideas or attitudes that you have about yourself that are rooted in this pain. Confess these attitudes and ask God to restore you. Ask him to remind you of who you are in his eyes and ask him to give you the strength to walk in his freedom.
Read Isaiah 41:9-10. Personalize it and pray it back to God: Father in Heaven, you have chosen me and have not rejected me. Help me not to fear, for you are with me; teach me not to be dismayed, for you are my God. You will strengthen me and help me; you will uphold me with your righteous right hand. Amen.
They say that hurt people hurt people. The same can be said of forgiven people — they forgive. When we realize that we truly are forgiven by God, we're able to forgive the people who wrong us. There is so much freedom in that.
But sometimes forgiving others doesn't feel like freedom; it feels like a heavy burden. Have you ever told God that you can't forgive, that it's too hard? Then you might have misunderstood what forgiveness means.
If we think forgiveness means giving in, we will resist forgiving. If we believe that forgiving means pretending that the offense never occurred or letting the other person get away with what they've done, that will make forgiveness seem impossible. But that is not what forgiveness means.
The best definition of forgiveness I ever heard came from my pastor a few years ago. He said that forgiveness means giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness means agreeing not to retaliate or to escalate the situation. It's important to note that forgiveness does not preclude pursuing justice. Forgiveness and seeking for justice can both be part of your healing journey, especially if you have been the victim of crime or abuse.
In her excellent article, Does Forgiveness = No Consequences? Lynette Hoy wisely notes that there may be a need to set new boundaries after we've forgiven someone. Forgiveness does not require us to just go back to the way things were. Rather, forgiving means that we are willing to begin a journey toward restitution. Forgiveness opens up a dialogue. Restitution takes time. Forgiveness is the first step of that process.
So how do you know if you're living as a forgiving person?
Is there someone you tend to avoid? Your issue with them may stem from a lack of forgiveness.
Are you easily offended? Sometimes when we feel attacked it's because we're nursing a sore spot from a wound that has not healed. It can be hard to forgive, but it's the only thing that will take away the sting of an injury.
Do you catch yourself getting angry often? A very wise friend once told me that in AA they teach that, the pain we inflict on others is directly proportional to the pain we feel inside. If you find yourself lashing out, look at your own heart. Is it hurting?
Peace allows us to be generous
Forgiveness brings peace and when we're at peace, we are able to be generous. When I am at peace with myself, I can assume the best of you, even if we've had an issue in the past. When I am secure in myself, I don't have to worry that complimenting you might diminish me. My identity is not threatened. When I truly believe that my destiny is in God's hands, I don't have to look for the advantage or a way to get ahead. I already have what I need.
I've heard it said that as Christians, we are resurrection people. We are the ones who believe that new life is possible. In Revelation 21:5, the One who sits on the throne says plainly, I am making everything new! We have this promise again in 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
We know that God can make all things new because we've seen it. In John 11, we see Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus died, the temple curtain tore; this is such a powerful image confirming that the old ways are gone and the new has come. On a very personal level, we know God makes things new because we're seeing God make us more and more like Christ as we walk in the Spirit.
Corinthians 3:13 puts it so simply, forgive as the Lord forgave you. Christians are forgiven people. When we live as forgiven people, willing to forgive in turn, then we truly live as resurrection people. This is the story of Easter lived out in our daily lives — redemption and revival up close. This is the on-going miracle: that broken people, dearly loved, can learn to love broken people.
You can experience the peace that forgiveness brings by taking these steps:
1. Let God teach you how to forgive in his strength Ask God if there is anyone you have not forgiven. If he brings someone to mind, ask God to enable you to forgive in his strength. Then step out in faith, forgiving that person and, if possible, beginning a process of restoration with them.
Pay close attention to your attitude toward this person. Any time Satan tries to bring up the old hurt, stop and pray, asking God to fill your mind with peace — knowing that you have forgiven and that the offense no longer holds any power over you.
2. Let Go of Any Shame Linked to That Event Read Jeremiah 31:3, The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."
Spend some time in focused prayer and ask God to show you any hurt or shame that you have not brought to him. Ask him to show you any thoughts, ideas or attitudes that you have about yourself that are rooted in this pain. Confess these attitudes and ask God to restore you. Ask him to remind you of who you are in his eyes and ask him to give you the strength to walk in his freedom.
Read Isaiah 41:9-10. Personalize it and pray it back to God: Father in Heaven, you have chosen me and have not rejected me. Help me not to fear, for you are with me; teach me not to be dismayed, for you are my God. You will strengthen me and help me; you will uphold me with your righteous right hand. Amen.
Am I going to heaven?
Death is a scary prospect for many people, but for Christians, it’s not so scary!
As Christians, we have assurance from God that when we die, we will be with God for eternity in heaven – also known as the ‘new creation’.
But sometimes, when fear overwhelms us, it can be really hard to feel certain of that fact. Death is the big unknown, and it’s difficult to feel hopeful about something that is so fuzzy to us.
So how can we be sure that we’re going to heaven – and that heaven will actually be good? Well let’s take a look at the Bible.
Jesus opens the way to heaven for us
In John 14:1-4, a few iconic verses, Jesus is speaking with his disciples and tells them this:
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
Jesus’s disciples are concerned about their future, but he wants to reassure them: they will be going to heaven, because they believe in him!
We learn other key facts about heaven from this verse:
There is plenty of room for anyone who believes in Jesus
Jesus prepares a place for us
Through Jesus, we know the way to heaven
Heaven is open to even the worst sinners
Sometimes, we worry about whether we’ll be going to heaven because we worry that our sin is too great to be forgiven. But anyone can be forgiven through Jesus!
When Jesus was hanging on the cross, he spoke with two criminals – two people actually deserving of punishment, unlike the sinless Jesus! One criminal joined in the mocking of Jesus with the crowd, but the other recognized the innocence of Jesus and asked him, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Then, Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
Even this criminal, deserving of death, is promised that he will be in heaven with Jesus! That’s great reassurance for all of us.
Heaven is going to be great!
Sometimes we worry about whether or not we’ll be going to heaven – and sometimes we actually wonder if we want to go to heaven! But let me assure you: heaven is going to be amazing.
In Revelation, John has a vision of heaven and it sounds just wonderful:
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
In heaven, we will be with God for eternity. There will be no more sin or pain – and no more death to fear. That’s something amazing to look forward to!
Whenever you doubt if you’re going to heaven, be reassured: through Jesus, the door to heaven has been opened to you. He promises to take you there, no matter what you’ve done, as long as you accept his sacrifice for you. And it’s going to be a wonderful eternity with God!
The question is: Have you given your life to Jesus and accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior?
Can you really say with total assurance that you have a home in heaven?
If any further doubt, we’d love to talk with you: [email protected]
Let go and let God
Ok, so you’ve heard that phrase before, but it’s so true. Let’s take another look at it.
How would you describe your current experience as a Christian? Growing? Frustrated? Disappointing? Fulfilled? Freeing? Stuck? Struggling? Joyful? Defeated? Exciting? Up and down?
Do you desire more? Jesus said, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory)” (John 7:37b-39, NLT).
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would satisfy the thirst and deepest longings of all who believe in him. Jesus has so much more to offer you today. But to experience it, you’ll need to take a look at what you’ve been living for. Would you answer “yes” to these questions?
Have you received Jesus into your life through faith? (If you can’t recall a time when you gave your life to Jesus, please read this).
Are you totally committed to Jesus?
Are you depending on the Holy Spirit every day and obeying God in his strength?
A LIFE NOT CENTERED ON CHRIST
Serving Jesus is not their top priority. They grow very little in faith and often live in frustration because they do not listen to the Spirit or trust him to empower them to obey.
They may go to church, but Jesus is not leading their life. They have invited Jesus into their life, but possessions, desires, and interests are not Christ-centered.
They might say:
“I’m doing OK. No one’s perfect.”
“I’ll get serious about Jesus one day.”
“I feel stuck doing the same sins over and over.”
“The Holy Spirit doesn’t feel real to me.”
“I don’t have much joy in my Christian life.”
The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions (Galatians 5:17, NLT).
A LIFE CENTERED ON CHRIST
These Christians have placed Jesus at the center of their life — their time, decisions, work, relationships, and everything else, are being directed by him. It all belongs to Jesus. They are growing spiritually and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit by faith.
They would pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, I want you in the center of my life and commit to serve and obey you through your power. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything.”
Possessions, desires, and interests are Christ-centered. They still make mistakes, but they’re quick to re-center their life on Christ through confession, trusting in God’s forgiveness and inviting the Spirit to guide them and empower them to obey.
They would say:
“What I want most is to follow Jesus.”
“I can’t do this on my own, so I run to the Holy Spirit again and again.”
“When I get sidetracked, I’m quick to make God the center again.”
“Following Jesus is bringing me more and more joy."
So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves (Galatians 5:16, NLT).
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives (Galatians 5:25, NLT).
HOW TO LIVE DAILY IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
When you center your life on Jesus, you begin to experience amazing joy. Life becomes full of meaning and purpose. God begins to change you from the inside out. The best is yet to come. God desires to make your life more and more abundant each day, but to experience that you need to rely on the Holy Spirit by faith. Here are three faith steps, with suggested prayers, that will enable you to experience the power of the Holy Spirit throughout the day.
1. Express your commitment to Jesus each morning (1 Cor 6:19-20; James 4:7; Romans 12:1).
“Dear Jesus, I want you in the center of my life and commit to serve and obey you through your power. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything.”
2. Live in the freedom of forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 2:12; Colossians 1:13-14).
“Dear Jesus, I sinned against you when I (state specific sins here). Thank you for forgiving me through your sacrifice on the cross. I choose to center my life on you again and life fully for you.”
3. Rely on the Holy Spirit’s power by faith (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 2:12).
“I can’t do this alone. Empower me through your Spirit to love you with my whole being today and to love others with your love.”
Jesus is offering you an abundant, Spirit-filled life every single day. Take hold of that life by faith: keep him the center, run to him whenever you fall, trust him for everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1.1-4). Become fully alive in Jesus!
Prayer Adventure
Pray Yourself into an Adventure with God
Imagine what would change if you woke up every morning, reaffirming your commitment to Jesus. Start by trying it for one week. You might begin to anticipate God using you in amazing ways, and he would! Here are three ways to begin. Just choose one:
Pray the life commitment every morning. Make it your cell phone desktop or sticky-post it to your bathroom mirror.
Dear Jesus, I want you in the center of my life and commit to serve and obey you through your power at work within me. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything.
Or do the same thing with a verse. Psalm 9:10, Proverbs 23:26, or Romans 12:1 are great choices).
Sing a favorite worship song or hymn of surrender each morning.
Pray Yourself into an Adventure with God
Imagine what would change if you woke up every morning, reaffirming your commitment to Jesus. Start by trying it for one week. You might begin to anticipate God using you in amazing ways, and he would! Here are three ways to begin. Just choose one:
Pray the life commitment every morning. Make it your cell phone desktop or sticky-post it to your bathroom mirror.
Dear Jesus, I want you in the center of my life and commit to serve and obey you through your power at work within me. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything.
Or do the same thing with a verse. Psalm 9:10, Proverbs 23:26, or Romans 12:1 are great choices).
Sing a favorite worship song or hymn of surrender each morning.
Peace in the Storm
When things build up in your life, do you feel like pulling the covers over your head and sleeping it off? Or are you one to throw off the covers and pace in the middle of the night?
Recently when asked on social media how they handle stress, several people responded. Some exercise, others sing, others even admitted they reach for the chocolate candy bar. Not surprisingly, out of almost thirty responses, only two answered, “I pray.” Everyone else tried to handle things on their own.
Jesus’ disciples reacted in a similar way. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 8, they followed Jesus into a boat and headed out on the Sea of Galilee, which was known for its sudden and violent storms. Waves began to rise and the boat started to rock. The disciples started to stress. But not Jesus.
” Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping” (Matthew 8:24).
I don’t think our Lord was trying to relieve stress by snoozing. I believe the point of the story is that He was not stressed, even in the least. He was at perfect peace, the way a baby contently sleeps on her daddy’s shoulder through all sorts of noise and chaos going on around. Jesus had the “no care in the world” sort of rest. Pure peace. Pure trust that He is safe.
In contrast, Jesus’ disciples were in panic mode. Recall that many of them were seasoned fishermen who had been in these rough waters many times. But that didn’t matter. Their first instinct was to become anxious even though they had traveled with and been in close proximity to their Lord for two or more years.
They did do something correctly. They called on Jesus when the waves began to slosh over their stern. But what happened before that when the tempest began to brew? Were they at first hesitant to disturb Him, thinking He needed his rest after a long day of preaching and healing? Did they first try to do things themselves, thinking that of course they could, only to discover they were literally over their heads with trouble? Maybe these responses all happened. Scripture doesn’t tell us. But eventually they woke Jesus and told Him they were afraid of drowning. He calmed the storm, thus calming them.
I can relate to these men, can’t you? There have been times I was sure I could handle the pressure on my own. Other times I felt odd about disturbing Jesus with my problems when so many others had such comparably bigger ones. And though I’d like to think I walk with Him daily, when it comes to stress building in my life, I have often not turned to Him first, but instead have waited until the pressure feels like an over-inflated balloon about to pop. In other words, turning to God became my last resort. But I did eventually cry out for Abba Father to help me, just as the disciples did. The element of trust was present, just temporarily masked by my anxiousness.
In his contemporary Christian song, Sometimes He Calms the Storm, Scott Krippayne sings that Jesus has the ability to calm the storm, as he did for His disciples, but that He may just calm His child in the middle of the storm. I have experienced the latter more often than the first. How about you?
I once heard that the exhortation not to be anxious (phrased in a variety of ways), is mentioned 365 times in the Bible, one for each day.
If true, perhaps it is an indication that our Lord knows we humans have a tendency to dive into stress mode instead of seeking His peace. So, I try not to stress out over my tendency to get stressed. It just stems from my humanity. Instead, I tell myself, and God, I’ll do better next time. Little by little I am beginning to choose peace first.
Finding peace in the midst of the storm isn’t easy. But each time I decide to consciously turn off the panic button and instead turn to Jesus, I experience peacefulness coating me like thick maple syrup dripping over a stack of pancakes, seeping inside and sweetening them as it flows. When I choose not to let panic win, then I discover I am more in tune to God’s whispers of love and assurance. He bolsters me, and His strength wraps my weakness like a sports bandage around a frail muscle. As Paul states, "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2Corinthians 2:10).
You’d think I’d choose peace over panic each and every time. I wish I did. I am getting there though; the peace is coming quicker and easier. Perhaps one day I will be more like Jesus and be able to sleep soundly through the storms of stress!
Here is a prayer for you (and me) to pursue the peace of Christ today:
Thank you, Lord, that you are patient with us who are slow to learn how to seek your peace and instead are quick to stress. Thank you for the times you calm the storms in our lives, or choose instead to calm us so we can rest in your love, no matter what chaotic waves are lapping at our lives. Thank you that we can turn to you and trust in your care. Amen.
When things build up in your life, do you feel like pulling the covers over your head and sleeping it off? Or are you one to throw off the covers and pace in the middle of the night?
Recently when asked on social media how they handle stress, several people responded. Some exercise, others sing, others even admitted they reach for the chocolate candy bar. Not surprisingly, out of almost thirty responses, only two answered, “I pray.” Everyone else tried to handle things on their own.
Jesus’ disciples reacted in a similar way. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 8, they followed Jesus into a boat and headed out on the Sea of Galilee, which was known for its sudden and violent storms. Waves began to rise and the boat started to rock. The disciples started to stress. But not Jesus.
” Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping” (Matthew 8:24).
I don’t think our Lord was trying to relieve stress by snoozing. I believe the point of the story is that He was not stressed, even in the least. He was at perfect peace, the way a baby contently sleeps on her daddy’s shoulder through all sorts of noise and chaos going on around. Jesus had the “no care in the world” sort of rest. Pure peace. Pure trust that He is safe.
In contrast, Jesus’ disciples were in panic mode. Recall that many of them were seasoned fishermen who had been in these rough waters many times. But that didn’t matter. Their first instinct was to become anxious even though they had traveled with and been in close proximity to their Lord for two or more years.
They did do something correctly. They called on Jesus when the waves began to slosh over their stern. But what happened before that when the tempest began to brew? Were they at first hesitant to disturb Him, thinking He needed his rest after a long day of preaching and healing? Did they first try to do things themselves, thinking that of course they could, only to discover they were literally over their heads with trouble? Maybe these responses all happened. Scripture doesn’t tell us. But eventually they woke Jesus and told Him they were afraid of drowning. He calmed the storm, thus calming them.
I can relate to these men, can’t you? There have been times I was sure I could handle the pressure on my own. Other times I felt odd about disturbing Jesus with my problems when so many others had such comparably bigger ones. And though I’d like to think I walk with Him daily, when it comes to stress building in my life, I have often not turned to Him first, but instead have waited until the pressure feels like an over-inflated balloon about to pop. In other words, turning to God became my last resort. But I did eventually cry out for Abba Father to help me, just as the disciples did. The element of trust was present, just temporarily masked by my anxiousness.
In his contemporary Christian song, Sometimes He Calms the Storm, Scott Krippayne sings that Jesus has the ability to calm the storm, as he did for His disciples, but that He may just calm His child in the middle of the storm. I have experienced the latter more often than the first. How about you?
I once heard that the exhortation not to be anxious (phrased in a variety of ways), is mentioned 365 times in the Bible, one for each day.
If true, perhaps it is an indication that our Lord knows we humans have a tendency to dive into stress mode instead of seeking His peace. So, I try not to stress out over my tendency to get stressed. It just stems from my humanity. Instead, I tell myself, and God, I’ll do better next time. Little by little I am beginning to choose peace first.
Finding peace in the midst of the storm isn’t easy. But each time I decide to consciously turn off the panic button and instead turn to Jesus, I experience peacefulness coating me like thick maple syrup dripping over a stack of pancakes, seeping inside and sweetening them as it flows. When I choose not to let panic win, then I discover I am more in tune to God’s whispers of love and assurance. He bolsters me, and His strength wraps my weakness like a sports bandage around a frail muscle. As Paul states, "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2Corinthians 2:10).
You’d think I’d choose peace over panic each and every time. I wish I did. I am getting there though; the peace is coming quicker and easier. Perhaps one day I will be more like Jesus and be able to sleep soundly through the storms of stress!
Here is a prayer for you (and me) to pursue the peace of Christ today:
Thank you, Lord, that you are patient with us who are slow to learn how to seek your peace and instead are quick to stress. Thank you for the times you calm the storms in our lives, or choose instead to calm us so we can rest in your love, no matter what chaotic waves are lapping at our lives. Thank you that we can turn to you and trust in your care. Amen.
Why am I just unhappy with life ???
You aren’t the only one struggling in this area and you certainly aren’t the only one to have asked this question.
Many people today feel like they aren’t really living, they are just existing. Trying to make it through one unhappy day after another with no end in sight.
Well, there is an underlying reason for your depression, whether it is a loss of some kind, low self-esteem, abuse, an eating disorder, or even dealing with the reality of disappointments in your life.
What will make the difference in your life? Maybe you could ask yourself, if my life were all of the sudden to be so much better, what would need to happen? Would you need to change something? Would others need to change something? Would God have to do something drastic to make it better? Since it is difficult to count on other people changing, start with yourself and start with God. What is it about yourself that you want to change? Your appearance? Your status? Your social life? More money?
My bet is that none of those things would bring you happiness, but a good dose of self-confidence would. I encourage you to begin to work on your self-esteem. The enemy loves to try to pump false beliefs your way. False beliefs you probably have which are holding you back and making you unhappy.
People are usually unhappy because they are telling themselves that they are "not good enough," "don't measure up," "worthless," "damaged goods," "failures," etc. But that is not how God looks at us. You and I know that Jesus Christ loves us and has a wonderful plan for our lives. So, no matter what the circumstances are, He can change us from the inside out and give us a new perspective on life. Take a step towards Him and learn about how He can change your thinking and perspective.
Another recommendation I have is that you begin to build your friendships. You don't trust people and thus everyone is an acquaintance. So, you feel isolated and disconnected. God made you to be part of His family and to be in close fellowship with other believers. Do you have a youth group in your church where you can get involved in some small groups and begin to make some closer friends? You need to take the risk to let others know you; Maybe you are not trusting people because of and your fear that others will abandon you. Because of that, you have no one to express your feelings to and thus, you stuff them inside and you become depressed. Once you are depressed you can't feel any good emotions. So, expressing yourself to others (a couple of friends, a relative) is important so that you can break the cycle of depression.
Here's a true story sent in to us. I pray that it encourages you.
I have always been a creature of extremes; my sadness is deep, my anger is fiery, and my joy knows no bounds when I feel free to express it. I am at once a romantic and a cynic, a bright optimist and a crushing realist. My friends like to blame my intensity on my red hair. I wish it was that simple. In university, I was diagnosed with depression. The diagnosis answered a lot of questions, but it didn’t come with its own answer.
When I imagine Hell, I imagine it must feel a lot like depression. Dark, devoid of love, all-consuming. But I know there is a difference. I read today that the difference between Earth and Hell is the undeniable artistry and presence of God in the world around us. I would say that depression is the same. I’m a Christian living with depression, and the only way I have found to keep myself alive and hopeful is to look for those divine brushstrokes through what sometimes feel like infinite smears of black.
I have had a personal relationship with Jesus as far back as I can remember. I always loved going to church and praying before bed, reading stories from the Bible and about the saints, but the times that I remember feeling closest to God throughout my life were always times of grief.
I suppose it makes sense then, that my depression has also been a place where I have drawn near to — rather than been separated from — my God. And it explains why I would feel so defensive when told by another Christian that my depression is a sin or a sign that I am far from Him. Science tells us that while depression certainly has emotional components and all kinds of triggers, it is biological too.
It’s important to remember when you’re depressed that you have purpose. That you are capable of good. That there is hope. That it’s not your fault. That you are not your mistakes or regrets. That your life is worth living and that the world is better off with you in it. But it is admittedly a challenge to remember those things all the time.
It’s especially a challenge for me because, honestly, I’m attracted to darkness. To the nighttime, to troubled and mysterious people, to sad songs and elegies. So even though there is an undeniable desire in me for the holy, for the light that I have found in Christ — sometimes it’s difficult to choose it. I’m not a dualist, but I know that within me, there rages a war between the dark and the light. And I know that the winning side will be the one I give permission. Some days, I can confidently call on the name of Jesus as my conqueror; some days, I can barely get out of bed and the battle just goes on.
A few years ago, a friend shared a verse that was on her heart for me. It is a promise of strength, that in Christ we can overcome any fear, anguish, pain, fatigue, anger, sorrow, or apathy that wants to take us over:
He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)
My depression has helped me to connect with the life of Christ. I see how He reached out to the broken and ostracized, and so I know that there is a place for me in His heart. But it also means I can connect with the pain that He experienced. When I feel far from joy, I remember His forty days in the wilderness and His passion. If Jesus is the example of the abundant life, then we know that no version of it will be without suffering.
You don’t need to feel triumphant all the time. Jesus Christ has won this battle for you already. He knows that you will have dark days, days when it will be hard to see or feel His presence. But those are the times that it is imperative that we know who He is, and who we are in Him. In its own way, depression can be a gift. It has helped me actively give Christ permission to illuminate my life.
Jesus hasn’t made my depression go away, and, while I have hope, I don’t expect that He will make your depression go away either. He might, but I feel like it’s important that you don’t put all your chips on that (there’s the crushing realist in me). The main thing is to remember that He is the place to go when it’s hard.
Here are some practical ways that have helped me fight for Joy:
1. Talk to your doctor
I can't stress this enough, especially if you feel like you're experiencing symptoms of depression and haven't been diagnosed. Antidepressants aren't for everyone, and they might not be a permanent solution, but it's worth having the conversation with your doctor who can also connect you with a therapist.
2. Look Up, Not In
It's so easy to remain introspective when bouts of depression get bad. Make a habit of turning to God and His promises rather than dwelling on your own thoughts when things are going OK, and it will be much easier to remain grounded in Him when they get really tough.
3. Make a contract
Not everyone who lives with depression will have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, but it's best to have a plan in place should those feelings arise. Talk to at least two trusted friends or family members (in case one isn't available) about what you're going through and ask them to be a personal emergency contact. I made a verbal contract with my best friend and my mentor that I would call them any time I felt like I might hurt myself and it has been a life-saving practice I've only needed to cash in on once or twice. It might be hard or feel selfish to make this agreement, but trust me - it's not. Your friends will be glad you're giving them a chance to help you out. Make them your first call when things get scary and let them speak truth into your heart. For more emergency tips, go here.
4. Serve
Find a way to give back in your free time. Soup kitchens, animal shelters, and schools are always looking for people to offer the gift of their time. Nothing distracts from personal grief like giving love to others, so find something fulfilling to pour yourself into!
5. Memorize Scripture
Start with my favorite verses, Isaiah 40:29-31 and the simple but powerful Jeremiah 20:11 ("The Lord is with me like a dread warrior") and then find other verses of encouragement to uplift you in dark times.
Many thanks to my friends in the Patch,
Tia
God in the hard times
All of us have seasons when we feel discouraged by life’s circumstances. Our friends and loved ones may try to lighten our load or lift our spirits, but unfortunately, their efforts can fall short. We wonder if we will ever emerge from today’s trying situation with our joy intact.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. —Psalm 42:11 (NIV)
But I will keep on hoping for Your help; I will praise You more and more. —Psalm 71:14 (NLT)
It’s good to know that our Father invites us to confide in Him, to share our feelings honestly in prayer. He cares for us and understands our needs and weaknesses. We can draw near to Him by singing psalms or hymns, or reflecting on His goodness and speaking well of Him. Of course, there are times when this may seem too difficult, but even whispering a prayer of praise can usher in a sense of liberty and peace.
KEEP ON PRAISING, KEEP ON HOPING
The psalmist in Psalm 42 questions the reason for his despair; then he instructs himself to hope in God. The expression, “I will still praise Him” signifies an inner determination and a forward-facing outlook. He persistently, continually, and repeatedly praises the Lord. This allows him to focus on God his Savior, the One who will bring deliverance and victory. To have hope in God is to wait expectantly for Him. Since He is faithful to help, we can know that we will praise Him again. This gives us at least a vision of ourselves rejoicing in the future.
Praising God in the hard times doesn’t minimize or deny heaviness of heart. Instead, it redirects our focus on who God is. He never changes. He promised never to leave or abandon His children, so we can count on His presence, even when our emotions can’t confirm it. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).
PRAISE IS POSSIBLE
There have been times when I’ve thought, “I’ll never be encouraged.” Yet as soon as I begin to remind myself of His mercy and goodness, the clouds disperse. Now this doesn’t mean that those problems will suddenly disappear or that it will be smooth sailing from here on out, but it does mean that my face will brighten again and the weight of the burden will lessen. I’ll be able to experience the joy of the Lord in the midst of life’s storms and challenges.
It is possible to praise the Lord in hardship. In one sense, it’s a choice, not a feeling. It becomes a kind of personal battle cry. Even when our run has slowed to a crawl and our shout has died down to a whimper — we can wait on our good Father with fierce expectation. He is faithful and true. If we can’t praise Him for our circumstances, we can praise Him in spite of them.
Ultimately, it’s the Lord who heals the distressed soul. The Holy Spirit causes our hearts to overflow with hope. He turns the light on where once there was only darkness. There is power in the flow of the Spirit! Knowing He’ll meet us when we are most broken is the beautiful reality of living the abundant life.
PRAY AND REAFFIRM
When we think of praise, it may help to note that this includes thanksgiving, speaking well of God, confessing faith, and a vast array of adoring expressions. I think the enemy knows that as long as we wait for everything to line up before we praise the Lord, we’ll stay stuck a lot longer than we need to. We can still praise Him because He’s worthy. We can still praise Him for the Cross.
True joy and peace don’t originate with us, but come to us as the gifts and fruit of God’s grace. May we always pour out our hurting hearts to Him in prayer, and then reaffirm: “I’m still going to praise Him. I have hope, He is faithful to help, and He is my God! Whether I understand everything or not, with an answer or without one, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times — His praise shall continually be in my mouth’ (Psalm 34:1).”
All of us have seasons when we feel discouraged by life’s circumstances. Our friends and loved ones may try to lighten our load or lift our spirits, but unfortunately, their efforts can fall short. We wonder if we will ever emerge from today’s trying situation with our joy intact.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. —Psalm 42:11 (NIV)
But I will keep on hoping for Your help; I will praise You more and more. —Psalm 71:14 (NLT)
It’s good to know that our Father invites us to confide in Him, to share our feelings honestly in prayer. He cares for us and understands our needs and weaknesses. We can draw near to Him by singing psalms or hymns, or reflecting on His goodness and speaking well of Him. Of course, there are times when this may seem too difficult, but even whispering a prayer of praise can usher in a sense of liberty and peace.
KEEP ON PRAISING, KEEP ON HOPING
The psalmist in Psalm 42 questions the reason for his despair; then he instructs himself to hope in God. The expression, “I will still praise Him” signifies an inner determination and a forward-facing outlook. He persistently, continually, and repeatedly praises the Lord. This allows him to focus on God his Savior, the One who will bring deliverance and victory. To have hope in God is to wait expectantly for Him. Since He is faithful to help, we can know that we will praise Him again. This gives us at least a vision of ourselves rejoicing in the future.
Praising God in the hard times doesn’t minimize or deny heaviness of heart. Instead, it redirects our focus on who God is. He never changes. He promised never to leave or abandon His children, so we can count on His presence, even when our emotions can’t confirm it. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).
PRAISE IS POSSIBLE
There have been times when I’ve thought, “I’ll never be encouraged.” Yet as soon as I begin to remind myself of His mercy and goodness, the clouds disperse. Now this doesn’t mean that those problems will suddenly disappear or that it will be smooth sailing from here on out, but it does mean that my face will brighten again and the weight of the burden will lessen. I’ll be able to experience the joy of the Lord in the midst of life’s storms and challenges.
It is possible to praise the Lord in hardship. In one sense, it’s a choice, not a feeling. It becomes a kind of personal battle cry. Even when our run has slowed to a crawl and our shout has died down to a whimper — we can wait on our good Father with fierce expectation. He is faithful and true. If we can’t praise Him for our circumstances, we can praise Him in spite of them.
Ultimately, it’s the Lord who heals the distressed soul. The Holy Spirit causes our hearts to overflow with hope. He turns the light on where once there was only darkness. There is power in the flow of the Spirit! Knowing He’ll meet us when we are most broken is the beautiful reality of living the abundant life.
PRAY AND REAFFIRM
When we think of praise, it may help to note that this includes thanksgiving, speaking well of God, confessing faith, and a vast array of adoring expressions. I think the enemy knows that as long as we wait for everything to line up before we praise the Lord, we’ll stay stuck a lot longer than we need to. We can still praise Him because He’s worthy. We can still praise Him for the Cross.
True joy and peace don’t originate with us, but come to us as the gifts and fruit of God’s grace. May we always pour out our hurting hearts to Him in prayer, and then reaffirm: “I’m still going to praise Him. I have hope, He is faithful to help, and He is my God! Whether I understand everything or not, with an answer or without one, ‘I will bless the Lord at all times — His praise shall continually be in my mouth’ (Psalm 34:1).”
How much do I cost?
Do you ever question your worth? Low self-esteem is based on what you believe about yourself. You may have received negative messages from your parents, your friends, or others which may have caused you to feel worthless. No matter the cause for your low self-esteem, God does not make junk. He places great value on you. In fact, He sent His Son to die for your sins because of His desire to know you and make you part of His family!
Think about these beliefs behind low self-worth:
When I fail at something, I feel lousy about myself.
When others don’t approve of me, I can’t seem to get over it.
Sometimes it feels like I’ll never measure up.
I’m so hopeless.
These beliefs are contrary to Scripture and will prevent your self-worth from growing. You must challenge these beliefs with God's truth. Christ proclaims the following facts about who you are as His child, as His servant, and as His friend. When you are a Christian — someone who has trusted fully in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and repented from sin — you have a brand-new identity in Christ!
Do you believe what Jesus says about you? Or do you buy into the lies that cause low self-esteem?
Here's what God says about you:
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” John 14:13-21
“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:43
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14
What do these verses tell you about your identity?
You are a Child of the God of the universe because you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Christ lives in you and you live in Christ.
When you allow Jesus to have control of your life, you will produce valuable works which glorify God.
Jesus will hear your prayers and answer them.
The Father and the Son love you.
You have forgiveness and eternal life because of your relationship with through faith.
What more validation can a person want than to have the approval, love, forgiveness, and inheritance of our Lord Jesus Christ?
This has to be priority one in your life. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. What He says is true, no matter what anyone else says or does, no matter what thoughts are running through your brain.
When you grow in this understanding of who you are in Christ, you can let go of wrong thinking or any rejection from others. You can rise above the "blues" of depression and say with the Psalmist, “Why are you so downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? For I will yet praise Him – my Savior and my Lord” (Psalm 42:5).
When you believe that you are valuable in God’s sight — you will start acting like it. You will assert yourself and set boundaries so people will treat you with the dignity someone made in God’s image deserves.
Maybe you have been looking for your identity in the approval of others. Maybe you've been looking for it in your performance and role at work or at home. Now is the time to transition from finding your identity in what you do to finding out who you are in Christ!
Here are some facts about your new identity:
You are now a child of God and part of God’s family (John 1:12).
You are a new creation in Christ. The old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
You have been justified by faith in Christ and have peace with God…. Thus, you no longer have to work to try to make yourself right before God (Romans 5:1).
You have been completely forgiven through faith in Christ and His death and resurrection (Ephesians 1:7).
You are completely loved by God in Christ (Romans 5:8, John 17:23, John 3:16).
You are “in Christ” (John 17:21, Colossians 3:3).
You are on your way to heaven (John 3:16, John 3:36).
Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39).
The Holy Spirit now indwells you forever (John 14:16, Ephesians 1:14).
You have a new purpose in life — to live for Christ and to know and share His love with others (Philippians 1:21, Philippians 3:13-14, Colossians 2:6-7).
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:14-16.
In other words, concentrate now on living fully for Christ. In living fully for Christ, you will find: strength and hope for living; new meaning for your life and a new identity; an eternal perspective when you feel troubled by the changes in your life. Your faith can bring you hope in the midst of the circumstances and people around you and a joy — even when life disappoints you — because Jesus loves you and will carry you through.
At the Patch, we are here for you. If you are struggling in this area, any other area, or have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Do you ever question your worth? Low self-esteem is based on what you believe about yourself. You may have received negative messages from your parents, your friends, or others which may have caused you to feel worthless. No matter the cause for your low self-esteem, God does not make junk. He places great value on you. In fact, He sent His Son to die for your sins because of His desire to know you and make you part of His family!
Think about these beliefs behind low self-worth:
When I fail at something, I feel lousy about myself.
When others don’t approve of me, I can’t seem to get over it.
Sometimes it feels like I’ll never measure up.
I’m so hopeless.
These beliefs are contrary to Scripture and will prevent your self-worth from growing. You must challenge these beliefs with God's truth. Christ proclaims the following facts about who you are as His child, as His servant, and as His friend. When you are a Christian — someone who has trusted fully in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and repented from sin — you have a brand-new identity in Christ!
Do you believe what Jesus says about you? Or do you buy into the lies that cause low self-esteem?
Here's what God says about you:
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” John 14:13-21
“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:43
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14
What do these verses tell you about your identity?
You are a Child of the God of the universe because you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Christ lives in you and you live in Christ.
When you allow Jesus to have control of your life, you will produce valuable works which glorify God.
Jesus will hear your prayers and answer them.
The Father and the Son love you.
You have forgiveness and eternal life because of your relationship with through faith.
What more validation can a person want than to have the approval, love, forgiveness, and inheritance of our Lord Jesus Christ?
This has to be priority one in your life. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. What He says is true, no matter what anyone else says or does, no matter what thoughts are running through your brain.
When you grow in this understanding of who you are in Christ, you can let go of wrong thinking or any rejection from others. You can rise above the "blues" of depression and say with the Psalmist, “Why are you so downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? For I will yet praise Him – my Savior and my Lord” (Psalm 42:5).
When you believe that you are valuable in God’s sight — you will start acting like it. You will assert yourself and set boundaries so people will treat you with the dignity someone made in God’s image deserves.
Maybe you have been looking for your identity in the approval of others. Maybe you've been looking for it in your performance and role at work or at home. Now is the time to transition from finding your identity in what you do to finding out who you are in Christ!
Here are some facts about your new identity:
You are now a child of God and part of God’s family (John 1:12).
You are a new creation in Christ. The old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
You have been justified by faith in Christ and have peace with God…. Thus, you no longer have to work to try to make yourself right before God (Romans 5:1).
You have been completely forgiven through faith in Christ and His death and resurrection (Ephesians 1:7).
You are completely loved by God in Christ (Romans 5:8, John 17:23, John 3:16).
You are “in Christ” (John 17:21, Colossians 3:3).
You are on your way to heaven (John 3:16, John 3:36).
Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39).
The Holy Spirit now indwells you forever (John 14:16, Ephesians 1:14).
You have a new purpose in life — to live for Christ and to know and share His love with others (Philippians 1:21, Philippians 3:13-14, Colossians 2:6-7).
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:14-16.
In other words, concentrate now on living fully for Christ. In living fully for Christ, you will find: strength and hope for living; new meaning for your life and a new identity; an eternal perspective when you feel troubled by the changes in your life. Your faith can bring you hope in the midst of the circumstances and people around you and a joy — even when life disappoints you — because Jesus loves you and will carry you through.
At the Patch, we are here for you. If you are struggling in this area, any other area, or have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Heart vacuum
Alcohol, drugs, sex, one relationship after another, academics, sports … the list goes on. Many people are empty, lost, and looking to fill that unexplained emptiness deep inside them.
Many people are looking to religion as their answer only to discover more emptiness and disappointment.
Religion has existed for centuries as people have tried to grasp both the vastness of the universe and the uniqueness of human existence. But now, with Oprah vouching for The Secret, Tom Cruise leading the way with scientology, and more and more people taking up yoga as a way to “free their soul,” spirituality seems to be overwhelmingly everywhere.
Are we in the midst of a spiritual influx?
Though it may seem that society is currently in an increased state of spiritual awareness, the hunger for something more than this physical world is nothing new to humanity. Both today’s explorations of spirituality and the practice of religion stem from the valid human desire to know absolute truth and fill the void inside that screams for meaning.
Blaise Pascal, a mathematician and philosopher from the 1600s is often quoted as saying, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every person which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator.”
However, somewhere along the way it seems the institution of religion has largely failed the individual’s need. It has gone from being an honest pursuit of God to a systematic set of regulations, instructions, and dogma. It has not fulfilled its promises of purpose and hope. Religion has left its inventors feeling unsatisfied.
Why doesn’t religion fill the need?
The vacuum in our hearts cannot be filled by any created thing, and this includes man-made systems of belief. Instead, it can only be filled with a real and vibrant relationship with the Creator of all things. The solution is a relationship, not a religion.
This cry for relationship comes from our souls, from our spirits. The concept of a “soul” or “spirit” may sound mystical to some, but it is undeniable when looking at human behavior. A person’s soul is the part of them that feels heartbreak when a loved one dies, or homesickness when home is a million miles away.
The Band-aid solution of human relationship
Having been jaded by the institution of religion, this hunger for relationship drives people to do everything and anything for meaningful, lasting relationships in their lives. Single people may rush to marry, while unhappily married people sometimes have children in hopes of restoring their broken relationships. Others base their identity in their careers expecting to discover purpose and meaning in their successes.
But as divorce rates rise, children grow into autonomous individuals, and burned out executives contemplate suicide. None of what this world has to offer seems to be enough. The relationships which people rely on to complete them only create more raw edges and places of emptiness. The need for spiritual fulfillment becomes deeper and the hunger for relationship becomes more urgent.
Though people in our lives are not nearly perfect, the problem isn’t with the particular relationships in our lives. The issue is that the vacuum longing for relationship is in the shape of an everlasting, unchanging God. It cannot be filled with anything else or satisfied with anything less than a perfect creator. Relationships with other flawed humans only leave us wanting.
The only completely fulfilling relationship
The solution to this predicament is found in the conclusion of Pascal’s quote, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every person which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”
Coming to know Jesus is neither about assigning yourself to the rules and regulations of an organized religion nor involving yourself in another broken human relationship.
Instead, it is in having a transformative encounter with the one who created you. God desires this sort of intimate and personal relationship with us. In order to make this happen, God came down as a person in the bodily human form of His son, Jesus, to be here with us. Jesus was both fully human, and thus able to experience our humanity, and fully God, being able to take on the sin of the world and pay for it with his perfect and holy life.
Jesus makes God known to us because he is God himself. He desires to be known to you today. Christ paid the price to restore us back to the relationship with God that we were always meant to have by his death and resurrection.
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
Alcohol, drugs, sex, one relationship after another, academics, sports … the list goes on. Many people are empty, lost, and looking to fill that unexplained emptiness deep inside them.
Many people are looking to religion as their answer only to discover more emptiness and disappointment.
Religion has existed for centuries as people have tried to grasp both the vastness of the universe and the uniqueness of human existence. But now, with Oprah vouching for The Secret, Tom Cruise leading the way with scientology, and more and more people taking up yoga as a way to “free their soul,” spirituality seems to be overwhelmingly everywhere.
Are we in the midst of a spiritual influx?
Though it may seem that society is currently in an increased state of spiritual awareness, the hunger for something more than this physical world is nothing new to humanity. Both today’s explorations of spirituality and the practice of religion stem from the valid human desire to know absolute truth and fill the void inside that screams for meaning.
Blaise Pascal, a mathematician and philosopher from the 1600s is often quoted as saying, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every person which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator.”
However, somewhere along the way it seems the institution of religion has largely failed the individual’s need. It has gone from being an honest pursuit of God to a systematic set of regulations, instructions, and dogma. It has not fulfilled its promises of purpose and hope. Religion has left its inventors feeling unsatisfied.
Why doesn’t religion fill the need?
The vacuum in our hearts cannot be filled by any created thing, and this includes man-made systems of belief. Instead, it can only be filled with a real and vibrant relationship with the Creator of all things. The solution is a relationship, not a religion.
This cry for relationship comes from our souls, from our spirits. The concept of a “soul” or “spirit” may sound mystical to some, but it is undeniable when looking at human behavior. A person’s soul is the part of them that feels heartbreak when a loved one dies, or homesickness when home is a million miles away.
The Band-aid solution of human relationship
Having been jaded by the institution of religion, this hunger for relationship drives people to do everything and anything for meaningful, lasting relationships in their lives. Single people may rush to marry, while unhappily married people sometimes have children in hopes of restoring their broken relationships. Others base their identity in their careers expecting to discover purpose and meaning in their successes.
But as divorce rates rise, children grow into autonomous individuals, and burned out executives contemplate suicide. None of what this world has to offer seems to be enough. The relationships which people rely on to complete them only create more raw edges and places of emptiness. The need for spiritual fulfillment becomes deeper and the hunger for relationship becomes more urgent.
Though people in our lives are not nearly perfect, the problem isn’t with the particular relationships in our lives. The issue is that the vacuum longing for relationship is in the shape of an everlasting, unchanging God. It cannot be filled with anything else or satisfied with anything less than a perfect creator. Relationships with other flawed humans only leave us wanting.
The only completely fulfilling relationship
The solution to this predicament is found in the conclusion of Pascal’s quote, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every person which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”
Coming to know Jesus is neither about assigning yourself to the rules and regulations of an organized religion nor involving yourself in another broken human relationship.
Instead, it is in having a transformative encounter with the one who created you. God desires this sort of intimate and personal relationship with us. In order to make this happen, God came down as a person in the bodily human form of His son, Jesus, to be here with us. Jesus was both fully human, and thus able to experience our humanity, and fully God, being able to take on the sin of the world and pay for it with his perfect and holy life.
Jesus makes God known to us because he is God himself. He desires to be known to you today. Christ paid the price to restore us back to the relationship with God that we were always meant to have by his death and resurrection.
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
God’s will for my life??
A lot of Christian teens wonder what God has in store for their lives.
Teenagers tend to spend a lot of time looking to the future, and when you’re thinking so much about what’s ahead, it’s important to consider what God wants for you.
So how can we find out what God wants for us? Are there some specific plans he has for each and every one of us, and other more generic plans he has for everyone?
Let’s take a look at the Bible and see!
What does the Bible say about God’s will?
God is in control
If we’re going to ask if God has a will for us, first we need to ask: what gives him the right to make plans on our behalf?
God’s sovereignty is a concept that refers to the fact that God is ALWAYS in control of everything that happens. Check out this verse where God is speaking about His will being done:
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ (Isaiah 46:10)
Here God is speaking saying that whatever He wills to happen will come to be, and because He is God with unlimited power and authority over the universe He created, it WILL happen.”
God’s will for all people
God has one particular thing he wants for all people: God’s will is that, by believing in His son, Jesus Christ, people be saved. 1 Timothy 2:4 says that God, desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
If you are stumbling through life trying to know God’s will, but have never asked God to forgive your sins, then you are not even in the beginning of God’s will. Qualification number one for God’s will is your salvation. If you have never committed your life to being a disciple of Jesus, then God has no reason to reveal anything further to you regarding the pattern of your life.
God’s will for all Christians
So, what if you are a Christian? What next?
In James 1:2-4, the author outlines what one of God’s goals for our life is, saying...
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Did you see it there? God wants us to be “mature and complete, not lacking anything”.
Does this mean that he wants us to lacking nothing in this world, to have the perfect life, family, house and job? No! God wants us to be lacking nothing of spiritual value.
As we live out our lives for Jesus and wait for His return, God gives us “every spiritual blessing” (Eph 1:3) and he makes sure that we are “not lacking any spiritual gift” (1 Cor 1:7). And it is He who helps us to mature into the men and women of faith that He wants us to be, becoming more and more “conformed into the likeness of His Son” (Rom 8:29).”
God’s will for you, specifically
Ok but hold on… does the Bible say anything about what God wants for me specifically?
Some people talk about having a specific ‘calling’, but this isn’t actually language that the Bible uses. God may give you a particular passion or interest, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only thing you should do with your life, if you follow Jesus, you are free to make choices based on your wisdom.
And if you are living a godly life, God will give you the right desires. This is why the Psalmist says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). In other words, if we first give control of our lives to God, then we have the freedom to make choices because He is truly guiding our lives.
God’s will is not so much about what you do, but about who you are.
God’s will is not so much about where you go to college, but about the type of student you are.
God’s will is not so much about who you date, but how you treat people of the opposite sex.
God has dignified you with the freedom of making choices and living with the consequences.”
If we make wise decisions, when we start moving in a direction based on what we believe God wants for us, Proverbs 16:9 reassures us with these words: “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (16:9).
Let’s get practical
Now that we know what the Bible says about God’s will, let’s turn to some practical applications.
Making wise plans
If God gives us the freedom to make plans for our lives wisely, how do we do that? How do we choose between all the options we have before us?
How do we choose things like…
University or apprenticeship?
Marry that person or not?
Bible college or secular work?
Live at home or move out?
Well there are four steps you can take:
Work out which decisions are important – is it a question of righteousness or prudence?
Reflect God’s purpose for your life – to be more like Jesus
Ask ‘what does Jesus value’? – so your choices make you more like Jesus!
If there’s more than one godly option, flip a coin! – the disciples do it to express trust in God when picking a new apostle after the betrayal of Judas
What are you good at?
Thinking about how God has gifted you if a great way to learn more about what God might like you to do with your life!
You might be a great singer, writer, mathematician, or football player – and all of these might play a part in how you serve God.
And remember – you don’t have to be a full-time minister to serve God with your gifts!
Not every person is called to be a church planter or leader. The Bible is clear that God bestows a different gift on every person, and not every gift is made for church leadership. Jesus' disciples were chosen because they displayed different skills and different talents. Each disciple picked up their cross and followed Him, yet not all of them were called to lead a church.
While we are called to serve and support the body of Christ, it is not necessary to be a preacher or a missionary to make serving God your number one job. You can serve Jesus in a multitude of ways.
Scripture assures us that there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. So, whether you are great in music, or you have the ability to read and decipher contracts, be confident that there are different kinds of service but the same Lord receives them. Be confident that there are different kinds of working, but in all of them it is the same God at work.”
Questions to think about
Based on this article, can you identify what God’s will is for your life?
What misconceptions have you previously had about God’s will?
Take a moment to think through the suggested decision-making framework. Can you apply it to a decision you need to make about the future?
What are you good at? How has God gifted you? How might you use this to serve him?
A lot of Christian teens wonder what God has in store for their lives.
Teenagers tend to spend a lot of time looking to the future, and when you’re thinking so much about what’s ahead, it’s important to consider what God wants for you.
So how can we find out what God wants for us? Are there some specific plans he has for each and every one of us, and other more generic plans he has for everyone?
Let’s take a look at the Bible and see!
What does the Bible say about God’s will?
God is in control
If we’re going to ask if God has a will for us, first we need to ask: what gives him the right to make plans on our behalf?
God’s sovereignty is a concept that refers to the fact that God is ALWAYS in control of everything that happens. Check out this verse where God is speaking about His will being done:
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ (Isaiah 46:10)
Here God is speaking saying that whatever He wills to happen will come to be, and because He is God with unlimited power and authority over the universe He created, it WILL happen.”
God’s will for all people
God has one particular thing he wants for all people: God’s will is that, by believing in His son, Jesus Christ, people be saved. 1 Timothy 2:4 says that God, desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
If you are stumbling through life trying to know God’s will, but have never asked God to forgive your sins, then you are not even in the beginning of God’s will. Qualification number one for God’s will is your salvation. If you have never committed your life to being a disciple of Jesus, then God has no reason to reveal anything further to you regarding the pattern of your life.
God’s will for all Christians
So, what if you are a Christian? What next?
In James 1:2-4, the author outlines what one of God’s goals for our life is, saying...
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Did you see it there? God wants us to be “mature and complete, not lacking anything”.
Does this mean that he wants us to lacking nothing in this world, to have the perfect life, family, house and job? No! God wants us to be lacking nothing of spiritual value.
As we live out our lives for Jesus and wait for His return, God gives us “every spiritual blessing” (Eph 1:3) and he makes sure that we are “not lacking any spiritual gift” (1 Cor 1:7). And it is He who helps us to mature into the men and women of faith that He wants us to be, becoming more and more “conformed into the likeness of His Son” (Rom 8:29).”
God’s will for you, specifically
Ok but hold on… does the Bible say anything about what God wants for me specifically?
Some people talk about having a specific ‘calling’, but this isn’t actually language that the Bible uses. God may give you a particular passion or interest, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only thing you should do with your life, if you follow Jesus, you are free to make choices based on your wisdom.
And if you are living a godly life, God will give you the right desires. This is why the Psalmist says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). In other words, if we first give control of our lives to God, then we have the freedom to make choices because He is truly guiding our lives.
God’s will is not so much about what you do, but about who you are.
God’s will is not so much about where you go to college, but about the type of student you are.
God’s will is not so much about who you date, but how you treat people of the opposite sex.
God has dignified you with the freedom of making choices and living with the consequences.”
If we make wise decisions, when we start moving in a direction based on what we believe God wants for us, Proverbs 16:9 reassures us with these words: “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (16:9).
Let’s get practical
Now that we know what the Bible says about God’s will, let’s turn to some practical applications.
Making wise plans
If God gives us the freedom to make plans for our lives wisely, how do we do that? How do we choose between all the options we have before us?
How do we choose things like…
University or apprenticeship?
Marry that person or not?
Bible college or secular work?
Live at home or move out?
Well there are four steps you can take:
Work out which decisions are important – is it a question of righteousness or prudence?
Reflect God’s purpose for your life – to be more like Jesus
Ask ‘what does Jesus value’? – so your choices make you more like Jesus!
If there’s more than one godly option, flip a coin! – the disciples do it to express trust in God when picking a new apostle after the betrayal of Judas
What are you good at?
Thinking about how God has gifted you if a great way to learn more about what God might like you to do with your life!
You might be a great singer, writer, mathematician, or football player – and all of these might play a part in how you serve God.
And remember – you don’t have to be a full-time minister to serve God with your gifts!
Not every person is called to be a church planter or leader. The Bible is clear that God bestows a different gift on every person, and not every gift is made for church leadership. Jesus' disciples were chosen because they displayed different skills and different talents. Each disciple picked up their cross and followed Him, yet not all of them were called to lead a church.
While we are called to serve and support the body of Christ, it is not necessary to be a preacher or a missionary to make serving God your number one job. You can serve Jesus in a multitude of ways.
Scripture assures us that there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. So, whether you are great in music, or you have the ability to read and decipher contracts, be confident that there are different kinds of service but the same Lord receives them. Be confident that there are different kinds of working, but in all of them it is the same God at work.”
Questions to think about
Based on this article, can you identify what God’s will is for your life?
What misconceptions have you previously had about God’s will?
Take a moment to think through the suggested decision-making framework. Can you apply it to a decision you need to make about the future?
What are you good at? How has God gifted you? How might you use this to serve him?
Through times of suffering
Suffering is one of the biggest questions that Christians – and non-Christians – have about faith.
It’s very common for us to want answers to questions like, “Why doesn’t God get rid of suffering?” “Where did suffering come from?” and even “Doesn’t suffering prove there is no God?”
Let's look into what the Bible has to say about suffering, and then examine how we can keep trusting God even when things are going wrong.
What does the Bible say about suffering?
The Bible has some answers to our questions about suffering – but not all the answers. Let’s take a closer look.
Where does the Bible say suffering came from?
“Although the origins of evil are unclear, the Bible tells us that when God created the world the devil was already at work to destroy the perfect work of His hands.
Genesis says that God attempted to protect humanity from evil by instructing Adam not to eat the fruit that would open his eyes to the distinction between good and evil (Gen 2:17). God informed Adam that if he ate the fruit he would “surely die.”
We all know how that story ends – with Adam and Eve choosing to eat the fruit and from then on becoming aware not only of the difference between goodness and evil, but also of the actions that may lead to one result or the other.
The story suggests that evil in our world does not exist because it was created or devised by God, rather it exists because Adam and Eve – and we as their descendants – made and continue to make choices that allow evil to exist.”
So, while we don’t really know too much about the origins and role of the devil, we do know that the world is broken and suffering exists because of our sin.
What does the Bible say God is doing about suffering?
Suffering definitely isn’t a good thing, so it makes sense that we would want God to do something about it as soon as possible!
And the Bible tells us that God has done – and is doing – things about suffering.
Evil was not part of the world God made (Genesis 1:31). God is light, and in him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). So, darkness (evil and suffering) is incompatible with God – which means darkness has a very limited shelf life!
God has resolved once and for all to SMASH all evil and suffering. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21:4).
God’s plan is to fix up the mess we’ve made, while still rescuing all of us who are responsible for it. This is where God’s plan gets amazing. How can he possibly deal with sin, but save sinners? The twist in the story is Jesus – he took responsibility for our mess, died in our place, and defeated death for us by rising again. He’s going to restore us, not destroy us!”
Why does the Bible say suffering is continuing?
If God has the power to deal with suffering, and will ultimately eliminate it entirely, why doesn’t he end it right now?
The most important reason is explained in 2 Peter 3:9:
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
When Jesus returns, that will be the end of suffering, but it will also be the end of this world and there will be no more opportunities for people to turn back to God in repentance. God is being patient – and that means we need to be patient too, knowing that his patience means salvation for more people.
Let’s get practical
So, we know that suffering is our fault, but God has dealt with our sin through Jesus’ death, and ultimately will end suffering in his timing.
In the meantime, how do we cope with suffering when it strikes us?
Here are three important things you can do.
Remember that God understands your suffering
As Andy Judd points out, “If you think suffering is not how the world should be, then God agrees with you (or you agree with God!). God loves us, and he weeps over suffering – literally, when Jesus saw Martha and all Lazarus’ friends at his funeral, he ‘burst into tears’ (John 11:35).
I take comfort in knowing that God feels our pain. Jesus was a “man of sorrows”, and “familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3).”
Remember that God wants you to cry out to Him
When you are suffering, God doesn’t want you to sit in silence, frustration and anger. No! He wants to hear from you.
The Psalms in the Bible are full of people crying out to God, asking why and begging for his help. Take a look at the following Psalms to see how God welcomes us to cry out to him:
Psalm 102
Psalm 32
Psalm 38
Psalm 69
Psalm 22
Remember that suffering can have positive outcomes
When you’re in the midst of a difficult time, it can be hard to think about the good that may come out of it. suffering can actually be a gift:
“The Word of God word gives us a counter-cultural perspective on suffering and shows us how we should deal with trouble.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).
Our culture thrives on messages of what we need to do to finally “make it” – to have a complete life, complete happiness, or complete joy – which is always right around the corner.
When things get better, when you work this out, when the next big break comes…
But the Bible has a polar opposite message: it’s in suffering that we are working hard towards completeness.
Maybe what we should focus on is not the suffering we’re experiencing but what the suffering is doing in us – making us mature, complete, and not lacking in anything as James tells us.
Next time suffering is getting you down, stop and remember the end goal: this suffering needs to work its course so that you may be continually maturing.”
Questions to think about
What is your normal response to suffering? Do you think this is good or bad?
Do you trust that God cares about your suffering? If not, why not?
Read one of the Psalms suggested above, and take a close look at the language the Psalmist uses. Are you surprised at how honest they are with God? What can you learn from this?
Reflect back on a period of suffering from your life. How might God have used that suffering to grow you?
Suffering is one of the biggest questions that Christians – and non-Christians – have about faith.
It’s very common for us to want answers to questions like, “Why doesn’t God get rid of suffering?” “Where did suffering come from?” and even “Doesn’t suffering prove there is no God?”
Let's look into what the Bible has to say about suffering, and then examine how we can keep trusting God even when things are going wrong.
What does the Bible say about suffering?
The Bible has some answers to our questions about suffering – but not all the answers. Let’s take a closer look.
Where does the Bible say suffering came from?
“Although the origins of evil are unclear, the Bible tells us that when God created the world the devil was already at work to destroy the perfect work of His hands.
Genesis says that God attempted to protect humanity from evil by instructing Adam not to eat the fruit that would open his eyes to the distinction between good and evil (Gen 2:17). God informed Adam that if he ate the fruit he would “surely die.”
We all know how that story ends – with Adam and Eve choosing to eat the fruit and from then on becoming aware not only of the difference between goodness and evil, but also of the actions that may lead to one result or the other.
The story suggests that evil in our world does not exist because it was created or devised by God, rather it exists because Adam and Eve – and we as their descendants – made and continue to make choices that allow evil to exist.”
So, while we don’t really know too much about the origins and role of the devil, we do know that the world is broken and suffering exists because of our sin.
What does the Bible say God is doing about suffering?
Suffering definitely isn’t a good thing, so it makes sense that we would want God to do something about it as soon as possible!
And the Bible tells us that God has done – and is doing – things about suffering.
Evil was not part of the world God made (Genesis 1:31). God is light, and in him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). So, darkness (evil and suffering) is incompatible with God – which means darkness has a very limited shelf life!
God has resolved once and for all to SMASH all evil and suffering. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21:4).
God’s plan is to fix up the mess we’ve made, while still rescuing all of us who are responsible for it. This is where God’s plan gets amazing. How can he possibly deal with sin, but save sinners? The twist in the story is Jesus – he took responsibility for our mess, died in our place, and defeated death for us by rising again. He’s going to restore us, not destroy us!”
Why does the Bible say suffering is continuing?
If God has the power to deal with suffering, and will ultimately eliminate it entirely, why doesn’t he end it right now?
The most important reason is explained in 2 Peter 3:9:
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
When Jesus returns, that will be the end of suffering, but it will also be the end of this world and there will be no more opportunities for people to turn back to God in repentance. God is being patient – and that means we need to be patient too, knowing that his patience means salvation for more people.
Let’s get practical
So, we know that suffering is our fault, but God has dealt with our sin through Jesus’ death, and ultimately will end suffering in his timing.
In the meantime, how do we cope with suffering when it strikes us?
Here are three important things you can do.
Remember that God understands your suffering
As Andy Judd points out, “If you think suffering is not how the world should be, then God agrees with you (or you agree with God!). God loves us, and he weeps over suffering – literally, when Jesus saw Martha and all Lazarus’ friends at his funeral, he ‘burst into tears’ (John 11:35).
I take comfort in knowing that God feels our pain. Jesus was a “man of sorrows”, and “familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3).”
Remember that God wants you to cry out to Him
When you are suffering, God doesn’t want you to sit in silence, frustration and anger. No! He wants to hear from you.
The Psalms in the Bible are full of people crying out to God, asking why and begging for his help. Take a look at the following Psalms to see how God welcomes us to cry out to him:
Psalm 102
Psalm 32
Psalm 38
Psalm 69
Psalm 22
Remember that suffering can have positive outcomes
When you’re in the midst of a difficult time, it can be hard to think about the good that may come out of it. suffering can actually be a gift:
“The Word of God word gives us a counter-cultural perspective on suffering and shows us how we should deal with trouble.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).
Our culture thrives on messages of what we need to do to finally “make it” – to have a complete life, complete happiness, or complete joy – which is always right around the corner.
When things get better, when you work this out, when the next big break comes…
But the Bible has a polar opposite message: it’s in suffering that we are working hard towards completeness.
Maybe what we should focus on is not the suffering we’re experiencing but what the suffering is doing in us – making us mature, complete, and not lacking in anything as James tells us.
Next time suffering is getting you down, stop and remember the end goal: this suffering needs to work its course so that you may be continually maturing.”
Questions to think about
What is your normal response to suffering? Do you think this is good or bad?
Do you trust that God cares about your suffering? If not, why not?
Read one of the Psalms suggested above, and take a close look at the language the Psalmist uses. Are you surprised at how honest they are with God? What can you learn from this?
Reflect back on a period of suffering from your life. How might God have used that suffering to grow you?
Why pray?
Have you ever stopped and asked yourself why Christians pray?
Prayer is important for believers because it helps us connect with God. But what exactly does that mean?
A few weeks ago, I was talking with my friend Sam. He’s not a Christian but we were talking about the difference between Christianity and other religions.
If you think about it, praying to Jesus is something pretty unique about Christianity. Maybe you’ve been in church so long that you take prayer for granted, but think about it: prayer involves talking to someone that you can’t see and that you probably can’t hear.
It can sometimes feel weird or uncomfortable, especially when you’re in a group. But here are three reasons why Christian teens pray anyway:
1. To stay close to Jesus
Who do you text the most? Who are you always sending messages to on social media?
My guess is that the people you communicate with the most are probably your close friends. The people we care about the most are usually the ones we text the most, and even the ones that we really enjoy spending time with in person.
Now let’s say I told you that you couldn’t talk to your best friend for a month. How would you feel?
You might feel scared, or you might feel a sense of loss. When you don’t talk to your friends, over time, you lose touch. It might not seem too bad at first but after years of not talking to someone, you begin to grow apart.
One reason believers pray is because we don’t want to lose touch with Jesus. Jesus is my best friend and on days where I don’t feel like praying, I talk to him anyway because I want us to stay close. I want our relationship to keep growing, which is why it’s important for me to pray.
2. To remember that we need Jesus
Psalm 42: 1-2 says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” This verse reminds me that we need Jesus in the same way that we need water.
A few years ago, I worked in a high school that was really big on sports. But one day, something terrible happened: the water fountain beside the gym broke! We teachers were freaking out; how were we supposed to run the school and take teenagers to the gym if they didn’t have any water?! That’s crazy right?
Just like it’s crazy to expect an athlete to train without water, it’s crazy to try to live the Christian life without praying. At one point, Jesus was talking to a woman who had never met him before. In John 4:13-14, he told her, “everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks this water I give them will never thirst”.
Jesus is the real deal. He offers us a life that is better than anything we could have ever dreamed of. And when we connect with Jesus and talk to him through prayer, we’re remembering that He is the water we need.
3. To connect with Jesus on a deeper level
Martin Luther believed that prayer wasn’t just something to do when we feel like it. Rather, he saw prayer as a commandment. If this is true, why is prayer so important that God would command us to do it?
Sometimes when I pray, I’m in crisis mode. My best friend is sick, my parents have issues, my brother’s feeling off and I’m really struggling at work. When I tell God about all this, I feel better after, but I also feel like I connected with him on a deeper level.
Remember before when we were talking about close friends? My guess is that your closest friends are the ones you share everything with. When we tell people what’s really going on, we are saying that we trust them with our hearts.
When we tell Jesus everything, we are being vulnerable, which helps us connect with him on a deeper level. Also, 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Believing that Christ hears our prayers reminds us in a powerful way that we are deeply loved.
What about you?
Do you ever think about why prayer is important?
Or maybe you don’t know Jesus and you’re asking why it’s important to connect with him in the first place.
It’s okay to ask yourself this question and to not have all the answers. I also want to add that if you do choose to pray, it doesn’t need to be complicated.
Prayer can be many things but it’s mainly about connecting with Jesus. So, my challenge to you is to find a simple way to tell Jesus that you want to connect with him today. When you do so, be encouraged knowing that as James 4:8 says, when you “come near to God...he will come near to you!”
Have you ever stopped and asked yourself why Christians pray?
Prayer is important for believers because it helps us connect with God. But what exactly does that mean?
A few weeks ago, I was talking with my friend Sam. He’s not a Christian but we were talking about the difference between Christianity and other religions.
If you think about it, praying to Jesus is something pretty unique about Christianity. Maybe you’ve been in church so long that you take prayer for granted, but think about it: prayer involves talking to someone that you can’t see and that you probably can’t hear.
It can sometimes feel weird or uncomfortable, especially when you’re in a group. But here are three reasons why Christian teens pray anyway:
1. To stay close to Jesus
Who do you text the most? Who are you always sending messages to on social media?
My guess is that the people you communicate with the most are probably your close friends. The people we care about the most are usually the ones we text the most, and even the ones that we really enjoy spending time with in person.
Now let’s say I told you that you couldn’t talk to your best friend for a month. How would you feel?
You might feel scared, or you might feel a sense of loss. When you don’t talk to your friends, over time, you lose touch. It might not seem too bad at first but after years of not talking to someone, you begin to grow apart.
One reason believers pray is because we don’t want to lose touch with Jesus. Jesus is my best friend and on days where I don’t feel like praying, I talk to him anyway because I want us to stay close. I want our relationship to keep growing, which is why it’s important for me to pray.
2. To remember that we need Jesus
Psalm 42: 1-2 says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” This verse reminds me that we need Jesus in the same way that we need water.
A few years ago, I worked in a high school that was really big on sports. But one day, something terrible happened: the water fountain beside the gym broke! We teachers were freaking out; how were we supposed to run the school and take teenagers to the gym if they didn’t have any water?! That’s crazy right?
Just like it’s crazy to expect an athlete to train without water, it’s crazy to try to live the Christian life without praying. At one point, Jesus was talking to a woman who had never met him before. In John 4:13-14, he told her, “everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks this water I give them will never thirst”.
Jesus is the real deal. He offers us a life that is better than anything we could have ever dreamed of. And when we connect with Jesus and talk to him through prayer, we’re remembering that He is the water we need.
3. To connect with Jesus on a deeper level
Martin Luther believed that prayer wasn’t just something to do when we feel like it. Rather, he saw prayer as a commandment. If this is true, why is prayer so important that God would command us to do it?
Sometimes when I pray, I’m in crisis mode. My best friend is sick, my parents have issues, my brother’s feeling off and I’m really struggling at work. When I tell God about all this, I feel better after, but I also feel like I connected with him on a deeper level.
Remember before when we were talking about close friends? My guess is that your closest friends are the ones you share everything with. When we tell people what’s really going on, we are saying that we trust them with our hearts.
When we tell Jesus everything, we are being vulnerable, which helps us connect with him on a deeper level. Also, 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Believing that Christ hears our prayers reminds us in a powerful way that we are deeply loved.
What about you?
Do you ever think about why prayer is important?
Or maybe you don’t know Jesus and you’re asking why it’s important to connect with him in the first place.
It’s okay to ask yourself this question and to not have all the answers. I also want to add that if you do choose to pray, it doesn’t need to be complicated.
Prayer can be many things but it’s mainly about connecting with Jesus. So, my challenge to you is to find a simple way to tell Jesus that you want to connect with him today. When you do so, be encouraged knowing that as James 4:8 says, when you “come near to God...he will come near to you!”
Are you centered?
How would you describe your current experience as a Christian? Growing. Frustrated. Disappointing. Fulfilled. Forgiven. Stuck. Struggling. Joyful. Defeated. Exciting. Up and down?
Do you desire more? Jesus said, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from His heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into His glory.)” (John 7:37b-39, NLT)
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would satisfy the thirst and deepest longings of all who believe in Him. Jesus has so much more to offer you today. But to experience it, you’ll need to take a look at what you’ve been focusing your life on. Would you answer ‘yes’ to these questions?
Have you accepted Jesus into your life through faith? (If you can’t recall a time when you gave your life to Jesus, please read this)
Are you totally committed to Jesus?
Are you depending on the Holy Spirit every day?
A LIFE NOT CENTERED ON CHRIST
Serving Jesus is not this person’s top priority. He or she grows very little in faith and often lives in frustration without the power of the Holy Spirit.
This person may go to church, but Jesus is not at the center. This person has invited Jesus into their life, but possessions, desires and interests are not centered on Christ.
This person might say:
“I’m doing OK. No one’s perfect.”
“I’ll get serious about Jesus one day.”
“I feel stuck doing the same sins over and over.”
“The Holy Spirit doesn’t feel real to me.”
“I don’t have much joy in my Christian life.”
“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions” (Galatians 5:17, NLT).
A LIFE CENTERED ON CHRIST
This person has placed Jesus at the center of their life—time, decisions, work, relationships, everything. It all belongs to Jesus. This person is growing spiritually and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit by faith.
They would pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, I want You in the center of my life and commit through Your power to serve and obey You. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything.”
Possessions, desires and interests are centered on Christ. This person still makes mistakes, but they’re quick to re-center their life on Christ through confession and trusting in God’s forgiveness.
This person would say:
“What I want most is to follow Jesus.”
“I can’t do this on my own, so I run to the Holy Spirit again and again.”
“When I get sidetracked, I’m quick to make God the center again.”
“Following Jesus is bringing me more and more joy."
“So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16, NLT).
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25, NLT).
HOW TO LIVE DAILY IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
When you center your life on Jesus, you begin to experience amazing joy. Life becomes full of meaning and purpose. God begins to change you from the inside out. The best is yet to come. God desires to make our lives more and more abundant each day, but to experience that we need to rely on the Holy Spirit by faith. Here are three steps, with suggested prayers, to experience the power of the Holy Spirit every day.
1. Express your commitment to Jesus each morning (1 Cor 6:19-20; James 4:7; Romans 12:1).
“Dear Jesus, I want You in the center of my life and commit through Your power to serve and obey You. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything.”
2. Live in the freedom of forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 2:12; Colossians 1:13-14).
“Dear Jesus, I sinned against You when I __________. Thank you for forgiving me through Your sacrifice on the cross. I choose to center my life on You again.”
3. Rely on the Holy Spirit’s power by faith (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 2:12).
“I need Your help. I can’t do this alone. Give me strength by Your Spirit to love You with my whole being today and to love others like You do.”
Jesus is offering you abundant, Spirit-filled life every single day. Take hold of that life by faith: keep Him the center, run to Him whenever you fall, start praying for everything you need. Become fully alive in Jesus!
1. Practice Spiritual Breathing
Just as you need to constantly breathe physically, you need to breathe spiritually, too. You could try spiritual breathing to rely on the Holy Spirit by faith throughout your day. When you realize you’ve sinned, or when temptation, stress or doubt weighs on your mind, you can…
Exhale: Admit your sin to God—no excuses—take full responsibility for your mistake and resolve not to repeat it. Let go of worry, fear or self-reliance.
Inhale: Rely on God to fill you by His Spirit. Receive His hope, confidence, forgiveness and power to make better choices.
“Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, NIV).
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25, NLT).
2. Talk to a Spiritual Mentor
We need people in our lives to listen, to offer hope and perspective, and to pray for us. If you would love to receive some spiritual encouragement, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Patch. We are here for you!
How would you describe your current experience as a Christian? Growing. Frustrated. Disappointing. Fulfilled. Forgiven. Stuck. Struggling. Joyful. Defeated. Exciting. Up and down?
Do you desire more? Jesus said, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from His heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into His glory.)” (John 7:37b-39, NLT)
Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would satisfy the thirst and deepest longings of all who believe in Him. Jesus has so much more to offer you today. But to experience it, you’ll need to take a look at what you’ve been focusing your life on. Would you answer ‘yes’ to these questions?
Have you accepted Jesus into your life through faith? (If you can’t recall a time when you gave your life to Jesus, please read this)
Are you totally committed to Jesus?
Are you depending on the Holy Spirit every day?
A LIFE NOT CENTERED ON CHRIST
Serving Jesus is not this person’s top priority. He or she grows very little in faith and often lives in frustration without the power of the Holy Spirit.
This person may go to church, but Jesus is not at the center. This person has invited Jesus into their life, but possessions, desires and interests are not centered on Christ.
This person might say:
“I’m doing OK. No one’s perfect.”
“I’ll get serious about Jesus one day.”
“I feel stuck doing the same sins over and over.”
“The Holy Spirit doesn’t feel real to me.”
“I don’t have much joy in my Christian life.”
“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions” (Galatians 5:17, NLT).
A LIFE CENTERED ON CHRIST
This person has placed Jesus at the center of their life—time, decisions, work, relationships, everything. It all belongs to Jesus. This person is growing spiritually and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit by faith.
They would pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, I want You in the center of my life and commit through Your power to serve and obey You. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything.”
Possessions, desires and interests are centered on Christ. This person still makes mistakes, but they’re quick to re-center their life on Christ through confession and trusting in God’s forgiveness.
This person would say:
“What I want most is to follow Jesus.”
“I can’t do this on my own, so I run to the Holy Spirit again and again.”
“When I get sidetracked, I’m quick to make God the center again.”
“Following Jesus is bringing me more and more joy."
“So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16, NLT).
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25, NLT).
HOW TO LIVE DAILY IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
When you center your life on Jesus, you begin to experience amazing joy. Life becomes full of meaning and purpose. God begins to change you from the inside out. The best is yet to come. God desires to make our lives more and more abundant each day, but to experience that we need to rely on the Holy Spirit by faith. Here are three steps, with suggested prayers, to experience the power of the Holy Spirit every day.
1. Express your commitment to Jesus each morning (1 Cor 6:19-20; James 4:7; Romans 12:1).
“Dear Jesus, I want You in the center of my life and commit through Your power to serve and obey You. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything.”
2. Live in the freedom of forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 2:12; Colossians 1:13-14).
“Dear Jesus, I sinned against You when I __________. Thank you for forgiving me through Your sacrifice on the cross. I choose to center my life on You again.”
3. Rely on the Holy Spirit’s power by faith (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 2:12).
“I need Your help. I can’t do this alone. Give me strength by Your Spirit to love You with my whole being today and to love others like You do.”
Jesus is offering you abundant, Spirit-filled life every single day. Take hold of that life by faith: keep Him the center, run to Him whenever you fall, start praying for everything you need. Become fully alive in Jesus!
1. Practice Spiritual Breathing
Just as you need to constantly breathe physically, you need to breathe spiritually, too. You could try spiritual breathing to rely on the Holy Spirit by faith throughout your day. When you realize you’ve sinned, or when temptation, stress or doubt weighs on your mind, you can…
Exhale: Admit your sin to God—no excuses—take full responsibility for your mistake and resolve not to repeat it. Let go of worry, fear or self-reliance.
Inhale: Rely on God to fill you by His Spirit. Receive His hope, confidence, forgiveness and power to make better choices.
“Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, NIV).
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25, NLT).
2. Talk to a Spiritual Mentor
We need people in our lives to listen, to offer hope and perspective, and to pray for us. If you would love to receive some spiritual encouragement, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Patch. We are here for you!
The doubt factor
Having doubts about your faith may feel scary, but it’s actually extremely normal.
Doubt is a common part of being a Christian, and particularly a Christian teen who may not have been following Jesus for very long.
At face value, a lot of what we believe as Christians seems strange, and even unbelievable. At points, this can cause us to have serious doubts.
So, what can you do when doubt affects your faith? How does the Bible talk about doubt? Let’s dig deep into this topic.
What does the Bible say about doubt?
Doubt in the Bible is not hidden away. It is clearly a problem for many of God’s people, both in the Old and the New Testament. But where doubt occurs, the Bible has advice and answers for us – and there’s a lot we can learn from Biblical doubters!
Famous doubters
In the Bible, many people have doubts. And while you might assume these are people with weak faith, in fact that’s often the opposite
Abraham
Abraham, who is considered to be the “Father of Faith,” had all kinds of doubts. When God established His covenant with Abraham, He told Abraham that he and Sarah were to have a child. Rather than trusting God and taking Him at His word, Abraham laughed at the news (Genesis 17:17). No wonder he was a bit skeptical. Abraham was an old man. The Bible tells us he was ninety-nine years old when God reaffirmed that promise to him (Genesis 17:1). Despite his doubts, God used Abraham and gave him a son, Isaac, through his wife Sarah—who also doubted (Genesis 18:10-12).
Peter
When Jesus was on trial before His crucifixion, one of His followers, Peter, denied that he even knew Jesus (Mark 14:66-72). But after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter became an outspoken witness for Him (Acts 2:14-36; Acts 3-4:31). According to church tradition, Peter was martyred because of his faith in Christ.
Thomas
Thomas, another follower of Jesus, doubted that God had raised Jesus from the dead. He wouldn’t believe it until he saw it for himself. But when confronted with the resurrected Jesus, Thomas worshiped (John 20:24-29). Church tradition tells us that Thomas went as far as India telling others about the good news of Jesus. Like Peter, Thomas was eventually killed for his faith.
Given the prominence of science in our culture today, I’m sure that there are a lot of people out there like Thomas who need to see the evidence. That’s ok. Jesus understood Thomas’ heart and knew what he needed in order to strengthen his faith.
Doubt in the Psalms
The Bible doesn’t shy away from addressing the fact that sometimes, we humans question God. In fact, the Psalms are full of people crying out to God, asking why!
Psalm 77 is the story of a person who has wrestled with serious doubts. In verses 7-9, the Psalmist writes that he asked questions like,
Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?
The very fact that questions like these are in the Bible should be a great comfort to us. Questioning God and wrestling with doubt is not condemned by him. In fact, he invites us to wrestle, to question and acknowledge our weakness.
But what the Psalmist does next is very important: he doesn’t linger in his doubt for too long. He seeks resolution and answers to his questions, and he finds them. Take a look at verses 10-12:
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
The Psalmist remembers God’s faithfulness to him and his ancestors and that helps allay his doubts about God’s goodness.
Let’s get practical
So, the Bible tells us that doubt is normal, but not something we should just accept. There are answers to our doubts, and God wants us to find them.
When doubts enter your mind, what can you do to send them away?
Interrogate your doubt
Firstly, ask where your doubt has come from.
Does God exist?
How can Jesus be both God and man at the same time?
Can the Bible be trusted?”
Lots of very smart Christians have done years of hard work to uncover and articulate the answers to these questions. Fact-based doubts can be answered and addressed with some research, discussion with wiser Christians, and careful study of the Bible.
Emotion-based doubt is a little more challenging. Our emotions and the difficult circumstances we face in life can cause us to question God in ways like the Psalmist in Psalm 77. We want answers to questions like:
Why do I feel so guilty if God says he’s forgiven me?
Why would God let me suffer?
I feel worthless – how could Jesus possibly have wanted to die for me?
Ronnie Campbell says that many of these doubts actually come from lies that we believe. Lies like, God doesn’t actually forgive us, or God wants us to suffer, or God doesn’t love us.
To address these doubts, we need to replace the lies with truth. As Ronnie explains, “We need to remind ourselves of the truth - God loves us so much that He gave His Son for us (John 3:16). All humans have worth and dignity because they were created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 9:6; James 3:9).
Recognizing and telling ourselves the truth sets us free from the lies that we tell ourselves.”
Ask God for help
One of the most important things to do when facing doubt is to ask God for help. That may feel strange if you’re at a point where you’re doubting if God even exists, but if you are seeking to address your doubts, who better to ask than the very source of all wisdom?
In Mark 9, Jesus is approached by a man asking him to heal his son from an evil spirit. The man asks Jesus to help, “if you can”.
Jesus’ response is firm: “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23).
This might seem a little harsh. Jesus is rebuking the man for questioning whether a miracle is possible. But the way the father responds to Jesus is a great lesson for us:
"Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
When we are struggling to believe, we need to ask God to help us overcome that. Pride and fear should never get in the way – remember that everything is possible for God.
Ask other Christians for help
One of the main reasons we need to remain in Christian community even when we’re doubting is because other Christians are a great source of comfort and wisdom in times of trouble.
The ministers at your church, your youth leaders and even your friends have probably all wrestled with the same doubts as you, and they may have answers and advice.
Questions to think about
What doubts have you dealt with in the past? Where do you think they came from – a lack of facts, or your emotions? How did you deal with these doubts?
Read Psalm 77. What doubts does the Psalmist have? How does he deal with them? What can we learn from this?
What can you pray to God when you are doubting?
Who in your life could help you if you were wrestling with doubt?
Having doubts about your faith may feel scary, but it’s actually extremely normal.
Doubt is a common part of being a Christian, and particularly a Christian teen who may not have been following Jesus for very long.
At face value, a lot of what we believe as Christians seems strange, and even unbelievable. At points, this can cause us to have serious doubts.
So, what can you do when doubt affects your faith? How does the Bible talk about doubt? Let’s dig deep into this topic.
What does the Bible say about doubt?
Doubt in the Bible is not hidden away. It is clearly a problem for many of God’s people, both in the Old and the New Testament. But where doubt occurs, the Bible has advice and answers for us – and there’s a lot we can learn from Biblical doubters!
Famous doubters
In the Bible, many people have doubts. And while you might assume these are people with weak faith, in fact that’s often the opposite
Abraham
Abraham, who is considered to be the “Father of Faith,” had all kinds of doubts. When God established His covenant with Abraham, He told Abraham that he and Sarah were to have a child. Rather than trusting God and taking Him at His word, Abraham laughed at the news (Genesis 17:17). No wonder he was a bit skeptical. Abraham was an old man. The Bible tells us he was ninety-nine years old when God reaffirmed that promise to him (Genesis 17:1). Despite his doubts, God used Abraham and gave him a son, Isaac, through his wife Sarah—who also doubted (Genesis 18:10-12).
Peter
When Jesus was on trial before His crucifixion, one of His followers, Peter, denied that he even knew Jesus (Mark 14:66-72). But after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter became an outspoken witness for Him (Acts 2:14-36; Acts 3-4:31). According to church tradition, Peter was martyred because of his faith in Christ.
Thomas
Thomas, another follower of Jesus, doubted that God had raised Jesus from the dead. He wouldn’t believe it until he saw it for himself. But when confronted with the resurrected Jesus, Thomas worshiped (John 20:24-29). Church tradition tells us that Thomas went as far as India telling others about the good news of Jesus. Like Peter, Thomas was eventually killed for his faith.
Given the prominence of science in our culture today, I’m sure that there are a lot of people out there like Thomas who need to see the evidence. That’s ok. Jesus understood Thomas’ heart and knew what he needed in order to strengthen his faith.
Doubt in the Psalms
The Bible doesn’t shy away from addressing the fact that sometimes, we humans question God. In fact, the Psalms are full of people crying out to God, asking why!
Psalm 77 is the story of a person who has wrestled with serious doubts. In verses 7-9, the Psalmist writes that he asked questions like,
Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?
The very fact that questions like these are in the Bible should be a great comfort to us. Questioning God and wrestling with doubt is not condemned by him. In fact, he invites us to wrestle, to question and acknowledge our weakness.
But what the Psalmist does next is very important: he doesn’t linger in his doubt for too long. He seeks resolution and answers to his questions, and he finds them. Take a look at verses 10-12:
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
The Psalmist remembers God’s faithfulness to him and his ancestors and that helps allay his doubts about God’s goodness.
Let’s get practical
So, the Bible tells us that doubt is normal, but not something we should just accept. There are answers to our doubts, and God wants us to find them.
When doubts enter your mind, what can you do to send them away?
Interrogate your doubt
Firstly, ask where your doubt has come from.
Does God exist?
How can Jesus be both God and man at the same time?
Can the Bible be trusted?”
Lots of very smart Christians have done years of hard work to uncover and articulate the answers to these questions. Fact-based doubts can be answered and addressed with some research, discussion with wiser Christians, and careful study of the Bible.
Emotion-based doubt is a little more challenging. Our emotions and the difficult circumstances we face in life can cause us to question God in ways like the Psalmist in Psalm 77. We want answers to questions like:
Why do I feel so guilty if God says he’s forgiven me?
Why would God let me suffer?
I feel worthless – how could Jesus possibly have wanted to die for me?
Ronnie Campbell says that many of these doubts actually come from lies that we believe. Lies like, God doesn’t actually forgive us, or God wants us to suffer, or God doesn’t love us.
To address these doubts, we need to replace the lies with truth. As Ronnie explains, “We need to remind ourselves of the truth - God loves us so much that He gave His Son for us (John 3:16). All humans have worth and dignity because they were created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 9:6; James 3:9).
Recognizing and telling ourselves the truth sets us free from the lies that we tell ourselves.”
Ask God for help
One of the most important things to do when facing doubt is to ask God for help. That may feel strange if you’re at a point where you’re doubting if God even exists, but if you are seeking to address your doubts, who better to ask than the very source of all wisdom?
In Mark 9, Jesus is approached by a man asking him to heal his son from an evil spirit. The man asks Jesus to help, “if you can”.
Jesus’ response is firm: “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23).
This might seem a little harsh. Jesus is rebuking the man for questioning whether a miracle is possible. But the way the father responds to Jesus is a great lesson for us:
"Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
When we are struggling to believe, we need to ask God to help us overcome that. Pride and fear should never get in the way – remember that everything is possible for God.
Ask other Christians for help
One of the main reasons we need to remain in Christian community even when we’re doubting is because other Christians are a great source of comfort and wisdom in times of trouble.
The ministers at your church, your youth leaders and even your friends have probably all wrestled with the same doubts as you, and they may have answers and advice.
Questions to think about
What doubts have you dealt with in the past? Where do you think they came from – a lack of facts, or your emotions? How did you deal with these doubts?
Read Psalm 77. What doubts does the Psalmist have? How does he deal with them? What can we learn from this?
What can you pray to God when you are doubting?
Who in your life could help you if you were wrestling with doubt?
God, where are you in all this?
Where is God when disaster strikes? Whether it comes wreaking havoc in our private world or whether we see it in mammoth proportions on our TV screen, we can’t help but question and wonder.
Does God care when tragedy sweeps in unexpectedly and tears at the very fiber of our being with inexpressible grief? The answer is “yes!” Yet to find the comfort He offers we must first get past the questions.
When Jesus walked this earth, He told His followers that in this world there would be trouble. Since the beginning of time there has been struggle on this earth –germs and weeds, storms and insects, people problems and money problems. The Bible tells us that God set things in motion on this earth. The seasons come and the seasons go and God does not necessarily intervene in every one.
Was this God’s fault?
When we find ourselves appalled at the overwhelming things happening in life, we cannot always determine the source. It may be the world and the forces of nature set in motion at the foundation of the world; it may be consequences of our own flesh and choices we have made; it may be spiritual opposition from the enemy of our soul or it may come from the very hand of God.
We can agonize over the possibilities as we seek to answer the heart wrenching, “Why?” Yet we cannot understand God nor can we always determine the answer to the difficult “why?” even though we try desperately.
The hope that we have in times of severe circumstances and agonizing grief is the knowledge that God does care and He will help us through. Often our unanswered questions leave us blaming God and we distance ourselves from the very One who can bring comfort to the anguished heart.
Is God on our side?
We know God sees everything that happens to us. Nothing is a surprise to Him. We wish He would intervene and stop the pain. We wish children did not die and loved ones were not lost. As our lives play out on planet Earth, we find ourselves with a choice to make.
We can believe God is a God of love or we can turn from Him in anger. We can believe that His heart is always for us or we can believe He is cruel and mean. Running to Him in the midst of our anguish will take us into His arms of comfort. Pushing Him away will leave us alone with desperation in our souls.
The main theme running through the Bible is God’s great love for us. Over and over He tells us that He sent His son, Jesus, to this earth to heal broken hearts. Even King David, known to be a man after God’s heart, went through times of great tears to the point that those around him questioned, “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42) Yet he also knew how the Lord took note of his anguish and recorded his tears (Psalm 56:8). He ran to God for strength in his despair.
There is still hope for us
When we simply cannot understand the twists and turns of our path, we can run to the One who will anchor us. He doesn’t promise our lives will be free of trouble, yet He does promise to hold us close through it all. Never doubt God’s love and care. He hurts when we hurt. His son, Jesus, went up the agonizing hill to the cross and understands the deep anguish the soul can plunge to. That’s why we can trust Him to be with us in our times of overwhelming stress.
God continually calls us to come to Him with our burdens and find rest for our souls. (Matthew 11:28-29).
He invites us to cast our worries on Him because He cares. (1 Peter 5:7).
He invites us to come to His throne and ask for mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16).
He will be our Comforter in sorrow when our heart is faint. (Jeremiah 8:18).
He offers strength when we are weak. (Philippians 4:13).
He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3).
When our minds cannot comprehend the tragic events we find ourselves in…our hearts can reach to the God of all Comfort to find the strength we need to get through today and to know that there will be help and hope for tomorrow.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Where is God when disaster strikes? Whether it comes wreaking havoc in our private world or whether we see it in mammoth proportions on our TV screen, we can’t help but question and wonder.
Does God care when tragedy sweeps in unexpectedly and tears at the very fiber of our being with inexpressible grief? The answer is “yes!” Yet to find the comfort He offers we must first get past the questions.
When Jesus walked this earth, He told His followers that in this world there would be trouble. Since the beginning of time there has been struggle on this earth –germs and weeds, storms and insects, people problems and money problems. The Bible tells us that God set things in motion on this earth. The seasons come and the seasons go and God does not necessarily intervene in every one.
Was this God’s fault?
When we find ourselves appalled at the overwhelming things happening in life, we cannot always determine the source. It may be the world and the forces of nature set in motion at the foundation of the world; it may be consequences of our own flesh and choices we have made; it may be spiritual opposition from the enemy of our soul or it may come from the very hand of God.
We can agonize over the possibilities as we seek to answer the heart wrenching, “Why?” Yet we cannot understand God nor can we always determine the answer to the difficult “why?” even though we try desperately.
The hope that we have in times of severe circumstances and agonizing grief is the knowledge that God does care and He will help us through. Often our unanswered questions leave us blaming God and we distance ourselves from the very One who can bring comfort to the anguished heart.
Is God on our side?
We know God sees everything that happens to us. Nothing is a surprise to Him. We wish He would intervene and stop the pain. We wish children did not die and loved ones were not lost. As our lives play out on planet Earth, we find ourselves with a choice to make.
We can believe God is a God of love or we can turn from Him in anger. We can believe that His heart is always for us or we can believe He is cruel and mean. Running to Him in the midst of our anguish will take us into His arms of comfort. Pushing Him away will leave us alone with desperation in our souls.
The main theme running through the Bible is God’s great love for us. Over and over He tells us that He sent His son, Jesus, to this earth to heal broken hearts. Even King David, known to be a man after God’s heart, went through times of great tears to the point that those around him questioned, “Where is your God?” (Psalm 42) Yet he also knew how the Lord took note of his anguish and recorded his tears (Psalm 56:8). He ran to God for strength in his despair.
There is still hope for us
When we simply cannot understand the twists and turns of our path, we can run to the One who will anchor us. He doesn’t promise our lives will be free of trouble, yet He does promise to hold us close through it all. Never doubt God’s love and care. He hurts when we hurt. His son, Jesus, went up the agonizing hill to the cross and understands the deep anguish the soul can plunge to. That’s why we can trust Him to be with us in our times of overwhelming stress.
God continually calls us to come to Him with our burdens and find rest for our souls. (Matthew 11:28-29).
He invites us to cast our worries on Him because He cares. (1 Peter 5:7).
He invites us to come to His throne and ask for mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16).
He will be our Comforter in sorrow when our heart is faint. (Jeremiah 8:18).
He offers strength when we are weak. (Philippians 4:13).
He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3).
When our minds cannot comprehend the tragic events we find ourselves in…our hearts can reach to the God of all Comfort to find the strength we need to get through today and to know that there will be help and hope for tomorrow.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Your miracle in the mess
Have you noticed that things are usually a bit messier in reality than they appear on social media? On social media, everything looks perfect. The guys always say and do what they ‘should’ do. The girls always look amazing, no hair out of place, wearing the perfect outfit. How is it that on social media, it seems that everyone else has a perfect life? Then you compare your life next to the images, vacations, relationships of others and it’s easy to feel like your own life is a total failure.
Once I went on a first date that went horribly. I tried hard to not to say or do anything stupid. But it seemed that no matter how hard I tried, I kept doing dumb things. We decided to go get smoothies and, in my nervousness, I put the straw in the cup upside down. I sucked the smoothie out of the straw and it spilled all over my pants. Reality is often like my date, very messy. When our lives don’t look as amazing as our friend’s lives on social media, we can end up disappointed and become discouraged.
The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary; God has shown you his grace. 31 Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of King David, his ancestor. – Luke 1:30-32 (NCV)
In the Bible, Mary had an opportunity to get discouraged. She had been told by an angel that she would give birth to the savior of the world. She might have pictured that she would give birth to the savior of the world with angels helping her through labor. They’d bring her grapes and ice chips. I’m sure she imagined that she would give birth to the savior of the world in a comfy, nice place. Instead, she gives birth to Jesus in a smelly barn next to some cows and sheep.
At that moment, I’m sure Mary was like, God, where are you? This isn’t what I pictured. Have you left me here alone in this mess?
The truth was that God hasn’t left Mary alone in the mess. He was there with her the whole time, just like He’s there with you too. Just because God was doing a miracle in Mary’s life didn’t mean that it was easy or free of obstacles.
The same is true for you. God is working in your life. That doesn’t mean, however, that you’re going to be exempt from problems or messy situations. What it does mean is that in the middle of the mess you’re going through, God is working. He hasn’t left you alone or without help.
You Get to Choose Your Attitude in the Mess
When you’re going through something that seems messy, it can be easy to want to get discouraged. You might ask God why is it taking so long? Or why is it so hard? Maybe you think that you’ll choose to be happy when things change. Like you’ll be happy when you grow up and get out of your parent’s house. Or that you’d be able to experience joy when your boss was nicer to you.
Even if everything is going wrong and it feels like your life is crumbling to pieces around you, one thing is true. You get to choose your attitude in the mess.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. – Phil 4:12 (NIV)
Paul learned this truth. He realized that he could choose to be content no matter what was going on around him. He could do this because He realized that God was going to see Him through. Whatever was done to him, whatever was said about him, he knew that he was going to come through because God was never going to leave him.
The same is true for you. God is not going to leave you helpless and alone in your mess. He’s not going to forget you. So, in the middle of chaos, you can choose to be at peace. You can’t control circumstances but you can control your attitude. You can choose to be happy.
You Can Choose Patience in Your Mess
Waiting is hard. It’s never easy to wait for the things of God to come to pass in your life. Maybe you prayed for something and you haven’t seen it happen yet. Maybe you just wish that you could be older or have less pressure on you right now. All those feelings are understandable.
Even if you wished things would change, you can use this time of waiting to practice patience. It’s a little like getting your driver’s license. It doesn’t just happen, there’s a process for getting it. First, you’ve got to get a learner’s permit. Then you take driver’s ed. After that, you wait until you’re 16, take a test, pay a fee, get your picture taken and then get your license. You don’t just automatically get it when you’re old enough to drive. You’ve got to be patient and go through the process.
It isn’t easy being patient when you want to see a situation or a person change. However, you can choose to use it as an opportunity to grow. Each trial you go through is an opportunity to see God build character into your life. So, determine to grow from this situation and let patience perfect you.
Life can be messy. Things don’t happen like you want them to and in the timing you want them to. Regardless of how messy your miracle feels right now, know that God is working. He’s bringing your miracle to pass. So, in this season of mess and waiting, choose to draw closer to God. Let God be your source of joy and peace. See God move through your mess and see your miracle come to pass!
YOU are special
One of my favorite questions to ask my 3-year-old daughter is, “Why are you special?” She enthusiastically replies, “Because God made me!”
The best part is when she proceeds to tell me all the parts that He made while pointing to each one. “God made my elbows,” she says, as she proudly points them both at me. “He made my legs,” as her pointer finger dances back and forth between her thighs, “and He made my toes,” as she rips off her socks to wiggle them for me. She knows that God made every part of her body just the way He wanted her to look. He made her so special. Can you cheerfully say the same thing about your body?
In such a visually-driven society it’s easy to get caught up in our appearance. There is nothing wrong with looking good and being healthy, but too often we fall into the comparison trap. We can easily forget the opinion that matters most of all — God’s.
Do you know what God says about you?
You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). God knows the number of hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30). After all, He put them there, and colored them too! He knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). You can be confident that He knows and loves you inside and out.
But we still try to change our appearance — God’s handiwork. Why is that?
If it's to impress people, attract attention, or make ourselves feel important, then we are fooling ourselves, thinking that these changes will make us happy. Our happiness can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ. Anything else we try will fail.
Our appearance is not the only thing we try to change.
Discontent with our personality or lack of talent in certain areas, we try to be who we’re not in order to feel significant and good about ourselves. But God gifted us all in special ways (1 Corinthians 12). We need to embrace our gifts! Have you thought about what you are truly gifted at doing? Each of us was uniquely designed by God for His pleasure and purpose. Instead of wasting time trying to be someone else, let’s figure out how to step into the unique destiny He has for us.
My parents gave me the gift of understanding why I’m special. They reminded me Who made the parts of my body that I questioned. They helped me to find my worth in Christ. God, your Father, wants to remind you of your incredible value.
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
Are you too critical of the child that God made? Do you think that He could have done a few things better? Isaiah 43:4 tells us that we are “precious and honored” in His sight. The Creator of the universe chose every part of your body, just as He chose where to put each star in the sky. He thinks you are incredibly special! Ask Him to help you live in the reality of His affirmation and to help you enjoy how He’s made you inside and out.
One of my favorite questions to ask my 3-year-old daughter is, “Why are you special?” She enthusiastically replies, “Because God made me!”
The best part is when she proceeds to tell me all the parts that He made while pointing to each one. “God made my elbows,” she says, as she proudly points them both at me. “He made my legs,” as her pointer finger dances back and forth between her thighs, “and He made my toes,” as she rips off her socks to wiggle them for me. She knows that God made every part of her body just the way He wanted her to look. He made her so special. Can you cheerfully say the same thing about your body?
In such a visually-driven society it’s easy to get caught up in our appearance. There is nothing wrong with looking good and being healthy, but too often we fall into the comparison trap. We can easily forget the opinion that matters most of all — God’s.
Do you know what God says about you?
You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). God knows the number of hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30). After all, He put them there, and colored them too! He knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). You can be confident that He knows and loves you inside and out.
But we still try to change our appearance — God’s handiwork. Why is that?
If it's to impress people, attract attention, or make ourselves feel important, then we are fooling ourselves, thinking that these changes will make us happy. Our happiness can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ. Anything else we try will fail.
Our appearance is not the only thing we try to change.
Discontent with our personality or lack of talent in certain areas, we try to be who we’re not in order to feel significant and good about ourselves. But God gifted us all in special ways (1 Corinthians 12). We need to embrace our gifts! Have you thought about what you are truly gifted at doing? Each of us was uniquely designed by God for His pleasure and purpose. Instead of wasting time trying to be someone else, let’s figure out how to step into the unique destiny He has for us.
My parents gave me the gift of understanding why I’m special. They reminded me Who made the parts of my body that I questioned. They helped me to find my worth in Christ. God, your Father, wants to remind you of your incredible value.
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
Are you too critical of the child that God made? Do you think that He could have done a few things better? Isaiah 43:4 tells us that we are “precious and honored” in His sight. The Creator of the universe chose every part of your body, just as He chose where to put each star in the sky. He thinks you are incredibly special! Ask Him to help you live in the reality of His affirmation and to help you enjoy how He’s made you inside and out.
"I feel unforgiveable”
if you only knew the things I have done! How could God ever forgive me? Have you felt this kind of hopelessness and regret, realizing the darkness of your heart? Has the great mountain of your pride, selfishness, cruelty, greed, and lust seemed to block out the light of the love of God?
I want you to know that not only is this feeling common, but it is a natural response from those who have an encounter with the perfection of God. These feelings are evidence that God, in His love, has been showing Himself to you.
The Bible records the guilt-ridden cry of many through the ages who were crushed by the weight of their sin as they encountered Holy God. Isaiah saw the glory of God as His presence filled the Temple and he cried out, “Woe to me, I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). The Apostle Paul called himself “the worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
The reason for this common self-assessment is the immeasurable perfection of Almighty God. In comparison to His infinite goodness, even a gentle, loving woman like Mother Teresa looks the same as the worst of all sinners. There is no one who can compare to God's holy purity and perfection.
It is the unthinkable transfer: the perfect God becoming our unrighteousness, so that we can receive His perfection as our own.
And yet it is that very same infinite perfection that shines out hope for everyone, no matter how vile their heart, or corrupted their thoughts. The Good News of Jesus is that He loves us so completely that He sacrificed Himself, with all of His infinite perfection, and took the penalty of our sin, making it His own. Since there is no limit to His purity and goodness, there is no sin that His death has not already paid for. Paul wrote, “God made Him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). It is the unthinkable transfer: the perfect God becoming our unrighteousness, so that we can receive His perfection as our own.
However, we have an enemy whose skill at deception and misdirection is unparalleled. This enemy will use our very common and natural feelings of unworthiness to lead us away from God’s grace and love rather than toward Him. He is called ‘The Accuser,” “The Father of Lies,” “The Adversary, and he has already determined in his heart that he will never accept the love of God. He is desperate for humans to agree with him that God is not great, so he whispers in our ear, “God will not forgive you. You have gone past the limit of His grace. What you ‘ve done, where you’ve been and who you have become. There is no hope for you, now.”
But the unlimited love of God will not stop pursuing us no matter how far we might run from Him. There is no darkness that His light cannot dispel. There is no cruelty that His gentleness cannot transform. There is no addiction that His power cannot tame. There is no lust that His faithfulness cannot purify. There is no greed that His generosity cannot quell. The death of Jesus has paid the penalty for the totality of our sin, and He freely offers forgiveness to all who put their trust in Him.
Are you ready to receive His grace into your life and let him take that mountain of sin that is crushing your hope and joy? Tell Him. Pour out your heart to Him, and receive His forgiveness for your life. You might say something like this:
Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and have amassed a huge record of offenses against You. No matter what I try, I can’t ever seem to escape from the darkness of my own heart. I need Your help. I put my hope for cleansing in You alone. Come into my life and wash the evil of my selfishness away. Take control of my thoughts, my emotions, my actions and my words, and let my life produce love, joy, kindness, compassion, generosity, and grace towards others. Thank You for showing me Your perfection and rescuing me from myself. Amen.
If this is a step you are ready to take or have questions about what all this means for you, connect with one of our Patch mentors and let them know. They would love to help you know more about this Jesus whose infinite perfection has made a way for you to be free from your sin.
We’d love to hear from you. [email protected]
if you only knew the things I have done! How could God ever forgive me? Have you felt this kind of hopelessness and regret, realizing the darkness of your heart? Has the great mountain of your pride, selfishness, cruelty, greed, and lust seemed to block out the light of the love of God?
I want you to know that not only is this feeling common, but it is a natural response from those who have an encounter with the perfection of God. These feelings are evidence that God, in His love, has been showing Himself to you.
The Bible records the guilt-ridden cry of many through the ages who were crushed by the weight of their sin as they encountered Holy God. Isaiah saw the glory of God as His presence filled the Temple and he cried out, “Woe to me, I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). The Apostle Paul called himself “the worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
The reason for this common self-assessment is the immeasurable perfection of Almighty God. In comparison to His infinite goodness, even a gentle, loving woman like Mother Teresa looks the same as the worst of all sinners. There is no one who can compare to God's holy purity and perfection.
It is the unthinkable transfer: the perfect God becoming our unrighteousness, so that we can receive His perfection as our own.
And yet it is that very same infinite perfection that shines out hope for everyone, no matter how vile their heart, or corrupted their thoughts. The Good News of Jesus is that He loves us so completely that He sacrificed Himself, with all of His infinite perfection, and took the penalty of our sin, making it His own. Since there is no limit to His purity and goodness, there is no sin that His death has not already paid for. Paul wrote, “God made Him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). It is the unthinkable transfer: the perfect God becoming our unrighteousness, so that we can receive His perfection as our own.
However, we have an enemy whose skill at deception and misdirection is unparalleled. This enemy will use our very common and natural feelings of unworthiness to lead us away from God’s grace and love rather than toward Him. He is called ‘The Accuser,” “The Father of Lies,” “The Adversary, and he has already determined in his heart that he will never accept the love of God. He is desperate for humans to agree with him that God is not great, so he whispers in our ear, “God will not forgive you. You have gone past the limit of His grace. What you ‘ve done, where you’ve been and who you have become. There is no hope for you, now.”
But the unlimited love of God will not stop pursuing us no matter how far we might run from Him. There is no darkness that His light cannot dispel. There is no cruelty that His gentleness cannot transform. There is no addiction that His power cannot tame. There is no lust that His faithfulness cannot purify. There is no greed that His generosity cannot quell. The death of Jesus has paid the penalty for the totality of our sin, and He freely offers forgiveness to all who put their trust in Him.
Are you ready to receive His grace into your life and let him take that mountain of sin that is crushing your hope and joy? Tell Him. Pour out your heart to Him, and receive His forgiveness for your life. You might say something like this:
Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and have amassed a huge record of offenses against You. No matter what I try, I can’t ever seem to escape from the darkness of my own heart. I need Your help. I put my hope for cleansing in You alone. Come into my life and wash the evil of my selfishness away. Take control of my thoughts, my emotions, my actions and my words, and let my life produce love, joy, kindness, compassion, generosity, and grace towards others. Thank You for showing me Your perfection and rescuing me from myself. Amen.
If this is a step you are ready to take or have questions about what all this means for you, connect with one of our Patch mentors and let them know. They would love to help you know more about this Jesus whose infinite perfection has made a way for you to be free from your sin.
We’d love to hear from you. [email protected]
Serving God by serving others
Many people have the misconception that being “called” by God is something only missionaries, pastors, nuns, and other church leaders experience. But the Bible says everyone is called to serve God by serving others.
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)
We are not saved by serving, but we are saved for serving. The Apostle Paul gives three insights related to this:
First, the basis for serving others is salvation. Paul says, “You were called to be free.” You cannot serve God until you’ve been set free by Jesus. It’s the prerequisite for serving.
Until you experience the transforming power of God’s grace in your life, you’re too enslaved by your own hurts, habits, and hang-ups to think much about others.
Without the freedom of forgiveness, you’ll end up serving for the wrong reasons: trying to earn the approval of others, trying to run away from your pain, trying to remedy your guilt, trying to impress God. Service motivated by these illegitimate reasons is bound to leave you burned out and bitter in the end.
Second, the barrier to serving others is selfishness. Paul warns, “Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature.” The number one reason we don’t have the time or energy to serve others is that we’re preoccupied with our own agendas, dreams, and pleasures.
Only a small minority of people use their lives to serve others, but Jesus said, “If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.” (Mark 8:35, LB)
Third, the motive for serving is love. Paul says, “Serve one another in love.” This is an important key to building community: 1 Corinthians 13:3 records, “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” (MSG)
God is far more interested in why you serve others than in how well you serve them. He’s always looking at your heart, serving willingly and eagerly out of love for Jesus and gratitude for all he’s done for you.
You are most like Jesus when you’re serving others. After washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14–15 NLT)
Many people have the misconception that being “called” by God is something only missionaries, pastors, nuns, and other church leaders experience. But the Bible says everyone is called to serve God by serving others.
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)
We are not saved by serving, but we are saved for serving. The Apostle Paul gives three insights related to this:
First, the basis for serving others is salvation. Paul says, “You were called to be free.” You cannot serve God until you’ve been set free by Jesus. It’s the prerequisite for serving.
Until you experience the transforming power of God’s grace in your life, you’re too enslaved by your own hurts, habits, and hang-ups to think much about others.
Without the freedom of forgiveness, you’ll end up serving for the wrong reasons: trying to earn the approval of others, trying to run away from your pain, trying to remedy your guilt, trying to impress God. Service motivated by these illegitimate reasons is bound to leave you burned out and bitter in the end.
Second, the barrier to serving others is selfishness. Paul warns, “Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature.” The number one reason we don’t have the time or energy to serve others is that we’re preoccupied with our own agendas, dreams, and pleasures.
Only a small minority of people use their lives to serve others, but Jesus said, “If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.” (Mark 8:35, LB)
Third, the motive for serving is love. Paul says, “Serve one another in love.” This is an important key to building community: 1 Corinthians 13:3 records, “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” (MSG)
God is far more interested in why you serve others than in how well you serve them. He’s always looking at your heart, serving willingly and eagerly out of love for Jesus and gratitude for all he’s done for you.
You are most like Jesus when you’re serving others. After washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14–15 NLT)
Dating... or not
Non-christian culture has a saying for dating: "play the field before you settle down". I still hear this proverb being used everywhere from TV shows to magazines, and I think it's true to say that our culture still views dating as a means to find a more permanent and stable relationship. This is true in the Christian view of dating too.
So if this is the case, when should I date?
This will probably upset a few people, but my hot tip is that you shouldn't start dating until you've at least left high school, and I have four reasons for taking this line...
1. To avoid extra temptation
Entering into a relationship with the opposite sex is going to provide more temptation for sexual sin because there are more opportunities for it. Let's not kid ourselves... if you don't have that one-on-one exclusive dating relationship with the opposite sex, the chances are you're not really going to have any opportunity to be tempted into sexual activity with another person. It may happen... but unlikely.
Eros love (sexual love) can be a dangerous thing, so why open yourself up to more temptation? 3 times in the book Song of Songs the beloved woman warns the young women "Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." (Song of Songs 2:7, 3:5, 8:4).
2. Because break-ups are messy
It's awkward when two people - who are part of a larger group of relationships like youth group - decide to break up. It's awkward because break-ups don't just affect the two people involved, but the whole community. It can breed a whole range of unhelpful feelings like resentment, jealousy, envy, and loneliness.
I've seen what teen break-ups have done in youth groups and the destruction it causes when some stop coming to youth group because they can't handle being around their ex, or friends are forced to choose sides. Not to mention the heartache of being rejected or dumped.
Relationships are already pretty fragile around the teenage years, so why put them in jeopardy by risking a destructive break-up? You will still risk the hurt of break-ups when you're an adult, but hopefully by then your faith in Christ will have matured and strengthened, and you will have formed a strong and stable friendship base to get you through.
3. Because people change
During your adolescent years at high school you are undergoing some massive changes physically and mentally, and the values that you have in your high school years may change dramatically once you finish school and start Uni or join the work force.
People change throughout their lifetime in all sorts of ways, but the changes that happen in transition from adolescence to adulthood are probably the most dramatic. There's a massive chance that the person you liked in high school will not be the same person you'll like as an adult.
Having said that, I do know a Christian couple who starting going out when they were 14 and are now still happily married in the 50's.
4. It's fun being young and single
You've got the rest of your life to be married (and marriage is good!), but you are only young once and you should enjoy the time you have to be young and single.
Marriage is good and wonderful, but there is more freedom during your years as a single person. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:32-33 "An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided."
Not everyone will agree with waiting until after high school to start dating, but for the reasons above I think there's definitely some wisdom in seriously thinking about it.
Non-christian culture has a saying for dating: "play the field before you settle down". I still hear this proverb being used everywhere from TV shows to magazines, and I think it's true to say that our culture still views dating as a means to find a more permanent and stable relationship. This is true in the Christian view of dating too.
So if this is the case, when should I date?
This will probably upset a few people, but my hot tip is that you shouldn't start dating until you've at least left high school, and I have four reasons for taking this line...
1. To avoid extra temptation
Entering into a relationship with the opposite sex is going to provide more temptation for sexual sin because there are more opportunities for it. Let's not kid ourselves... if you don't have that one-on-one exclusive dating relationship with the opposite sex, the chances are you're not really going to have any opportunity to be tempted into sexual activity with another person. It may happen... but unlikely.
Eros love (sexual love) can be a dangerous thing, so why open yourself up to more temptation? 3 times in the book Song of Songs the beloved woman warns the young women "Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." (Song of Songs 2:7, 3:5, 8:4).
2. Because break-ups are messy
It's awkward when two people - who are part of a larger group of relationships like youth group - decide to break up. It's awkward because break-ups don't just affect the two people involved, but the whole community. It can breed a whole range of unhelpful feelings like resentment, jealousy, envy, and loneliness.
I've seen what teen break-ups have done in youth groups and the destruction it causes when some stop coming to youth group because they can't handle being around their ex, or friends are forced to choose sides. Not to mention the heartache of being rejected or dumped.
Relationships are already pretty fragile around the teenage years, so why put them in jeopardy by risking a destructive break-up? You will still risk the hurt of break-ups when you're an adult, but hopefully by then your faith in Christ will have matured and strengthened, and you will have formed a strong and stable friendship base to get you through.
3. Because people change
During your adolescent years at high school you are undergoing some massive changes physically and mentally, and the values that you have in your high school years may change dramatically once you finish school and start Uni or join the work force.
People change throughout their lifetime in all sorts of ways, but the changes that happen in transition from adolescence to adulthood are probably the most dramatic. There's a massive chance that the person you liked in high school will not be the same person you'll like as an adult.
Having said that, I do know a Christian couple who starting going out when they were 14 and are now still happily married in the 50's.
4. It's fun being young and single
You've got the rest of your life to be married (and marriage is good!), but you are only young once and you should enjoy the time you have to be young and single.
Marriage is good and wonderful, but there is more freedom during your years as a single person. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:32-33 "An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided."
Not everyone will agree with waiting until after high school to start dating, but for the reasons above I think there's definitely some wisdom in seriously thinking about it.
Goodbye to loneliness
Going a little farther, (Jesus) fell to the ground and prayed that if possible, the hour might pass from Him. 'Abba, Father,' He said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’
Mark 14: 35-36
How do you deal with loneliness? Some try to lose it in a crowd; others hide it behind the mask of busyness. Still others attempt to drown it out with distraction: social media, news, TV, Netflix, medication … but what happens when the noise fades? When the bottle is empty?
Jesus was very familiar with loneliness and anxiety. In Mark 14, we find Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane with His disciples. Jesus knew what was coming: betrayal and the cross. Talk about anxiety and stress! His negative emotions were so overwhelming that Jesus began to pray with a greater intensity than ever before. Jesus went to be alone with God, pouring out His heart to His heavenly Father and begging for another way. Yet, He prayed, “Not my will, but yours.”
So, what can we learn from Jesus about dealing with feelings of loneliness and anxiety? How should we respond?
Spend time with God.
We must get alone with God in order to come face to face with ourselves. No more avoiding, ignoring or distracting – and this isn’t easy. For many of us, our past mistakes and our sin are so painful that we try to ignore It or hide from it. But until we come face to face with God, we will never be free from those emotions. Jesus didn’t sin, but our sins sure killed Him.
Choose God’s will.
In the end, Jesus chose God’s will even when faced with a horrific death on a cross. By surrendering our lives to God, by saying “not my will but yours,” we encounter the incredible presence of God that fills us with hope, love and mercy. Jesus found courage to go forward in faith.
God rewards those who walk in His will.
God the Father raised God the Son from the dead. He reigns over all in Heaven today. Our ultimate reward may not be realized until farther in the future- sometimes not until Heaven, but rewards always come in God’s will.
If you’re struggling with feelings of loneliness, go to God. Turning your life over to Him, you’ll find an acceptance, forgiveness and the courage to move ahead in faith. You’ll discover a comfort in knowing you’re never really alone. Are you ready to confront your loneliness?
Going a little farther, (Jesus) fell to the ground and prayed that if possible, the hour might pass from Him. 'Abba, Father,' He said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’
Mark 14: 35-36
How do you deal with loneliness? Some try to lose it in a crowd; others hide it behind the mask of busyness. Still others attempt to drown it out with distraction: social media, news, TV, Netflix, medication … but what happens when the noise fades? When the bottle is empty?
Jesus was very familiar with loneliness and anxiety. In Mark 14, we find Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane with His disciples. Jesus knew what was coming: betrayal and the cross. Talk about anxiety and stress! His negative emotions were so overwhelming that Jesus began to pray with a greater intensity than ever before. Jesus went to be alone with God, pouring out His heart to His heavenly Father and begging for another way. Yet, He prayed, “Not my will, but yours.”
So, what can we learn from Jesus about dealing with feelings of loneliness and anxiety? How should we respond?
Spend time with God.
We must get alone with God in order to come face to face with ourselves. No more avoiding, ignoring or distracting – and this isn’t easy. For many of us, our past mistakes and our sin are so painful that we try to ignore It or hide from it. But until we come face to face with God, we will never be free from those emotions. Jesus didn’t sin, but our sins sure killed Him.
Choose God’s will.
In the end, Jesus chose God’s will even when faced with a horrific death on a cross. By surrendering our lives to God, by saying “not my will but yours,” we encounter the incredible presence of God that fills us with hope, love and mercy. Jesus found courage to go forward in faith.
God rewards those who walk in His will.
God the Father raised God the Son from the dead. He reigns over all in Heaven today. Our ultimate reward may not be realized until farther in the future- sometimes not until Heaven, but rewards always come in God’s will.
If you’re struggling with feelings of loneliness, go to God. Turning your life over to Him, you’ll find an acceptance, forgiveness and the courage to move ahead in faith. You’ll discover a comfort in knowing you’re never really alone. Are you ready to confront your loneliness?
How do I really know that God loves me?
In the book of Romans, Paul give us really good evidence that God loves us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 NRSV)
1. God's love is not dependent on you
The first thing that Paul wants to make clear is that God’s love is not dependent on us.
Paul’s talks about this in verse 6. Check it out. He says “For while we were still weak”.
God made us and loved us, and we don’t a very good job at loving him back. That’s what the whole Old Testament is about. We tried to love God in our own strength, and how far did it get us? How long did we last in the story of the Bible before we sinned? About 3 pages.
There’s nothing we can do to jump start the relationship with God by ourselves.
We have nothing in our hands that we can bring to him. It’s out of our power. We need help.
He loved us at just the right time. Not when we were perfect, but when we were imperfect. God’s love isn’t dependent on you. Isn’t that a relief?
2. God's love isn't proven by how we feel
Love isn’t a feeling.
Feelings don’t always tell us what is true.
If our hope in God’s love was based on feelings and emotions, I go through about 20 different emotions before lunch every day. We need better proof than that. Something that doesn’t change as flippantly as our emotions.
Love is more than feelings. Love is an action.
If you want unshakable, beyond a shadow of a doubt evidence that God loves you, we need him to do something more reliable than our emotional state. Something real that proves he truly loves us. Right?
Well, we don’t have to wait. God did that.
He met us. He became human. And this. This is where everything changes.
3. God's love is proven by his actions
How do we know if God loves us?
He proved it. Jesus defines God’s love in action.
Because while we were out of line, while we were running as fast and as far away from him as we could, he pursued us. He came after us.
How is our relationship with God described in Romans 5:6-8 before Jesus? Have a look.
Were we friends on Facebook? Best buddies? Acquaintances?
No, it says we were ungodly, sinners, enemies.
But God doesn’t wait for us to be right with him. He loves us first.
4. Jesus is the ultimate proof of God's love
You want to know what love really is? Check out Jesus.
Jesus redefines love. He moved towards broken people, not away from them. He had compassion even when he was exhausted, he kept loving. He didn’t care if he looked awkward, or people were embarrassed. He loved when it wasn’t expected or required. He loved outside his job description, his social group, his family. He didn’t wait for us to change, he walked with us while we were still in need.
Christ died for the ungodly.
While we were sinners Christ died for us.
He loved us, a desperate group of people, and nothing, not even death was going to stop him from letting the whole world how much he loves you.
He didn’t just use empty words, or rely on feelings to prove his love. He did it in action. He poured out every part of himself. While we were against him, he was for us. We had nothing in our hands, and he gave up everything for us. He didn’t just give us his death, he gave up his life for us.
How do we know if God loves us? Still need proof? It’s right there in verse 8.
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
In the book of Romans, Paul give us really good evidence that God loves us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 NRSV)
1. God's love is not dependent on you
The first thing that Paul wants to make clear is that God’s love is not dependent on us.
Paul’s talks about this in verse 6. Check it out. He says “For while we were still weak”.
God made us and loved us, and we don’t a very good job at loving him back. That’s what the whole Old Testament is about. We tried to love God in our own strength, and how far did it get us? How long did we last in the story of the Bible before we sinned? About 3 pages.
There’s nothing we can do to jump start the relationship with God by ourselves.
We have nothing in our hands that we can bring to him. It’s out of our power. We need help.
He loved us at just the right time. Not when we were perfect, but when we were imperfect. God’s love isn’t dependent on you. Isn’t that a relief?
2. God's love isn't proven by how we feel
Love isn’t a feeling.
Feelings don’t always tell us what is true.
If our hope in God’s love was based on feelings and emotions, I go through about 20 different emotions before lunch every day. We need better proof than that. Something that doesn’t change as flippantly as our emotions.
Love is more than feelings. Love is an action.
If you want unshakable, beyond a shadow of a doubt evidence that God loves you, we need him to do something more reliable than our emotional state. Something real that proves he truly loves us. Right?
Well, we don’t have to wait. God did that.
He met us. He became human. And this. This is where everything changes.
3. God's love is proven by his actions
How do we know if God loves us?
He proved it. Jesus defines God’s love in action.
Because while we were out of line, while we were running as fast and as far away from him as we could, he pursued us. He came after us.
How is our relationship with God described in Romans 5:6-8 before Jesus? Have a look.
Were we friends on Facebook? Best buddies? Acquaintances?
No, it says we were ungodly, sinners, enemies.
But God doesn’t wait for us to be right with him. He loves us first.
4. Jesus is the ultimate proof of God's love
You want to know what love really is? Check out Jesus.
Jesus redefines love. He moved towards broken people, not away from them. He had compassion even when he was exhausted, he kept loving. He didn’t care if he looked awkward, or people were embarrassed. He loved when it wasn’t expected or required. He loved outside his job description, his social group, his family. He didn’t wait for us to change, he walked with us while we were still in need.
Christ died for the ungodly.
While we were sinners Christ died for us.
He loved us, a desperate group of people, and nothing, not even death was going to stop him from letting the whole world how much he loves you.
He didn’t just use empty words, or rely on feelings to prove his love. He did it in action. He poured out every part of himself. While we were against him, he was for us. We had nothing in our hands, and he gave up everything for us. He didn’t just give us his death, he gave up his life for us.
How do we know if God loves us? Still need proof? It’s right there in verse 8.
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
When faith is hard.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
As human beings, we are hard wired to believe in what we can actually experience with our senses. Faith however, takes us to a completely different place. Faith is all about believing in something we can’t see. In other words, faith is not based on our senses but rather on the Word of God. We can’t see God. But we can have rock-solid faith that He exists. That’s a key point. Still, there’s searching and questioning. Faith isn’t easy. It’s true and it’s right, but it requires the work of the Spirit – and that can be painful. In an increasingly secular society, your faith will be mocked and misinterpreted, and that can fuel doubts. Even the disciples who spent time chilling with Jesus needed a “faith booster”. Check out Luke 17:5
The apostles said to the LORD, "Increase our faith!
Think about how Jesus responded to “Doubting” Thomas when He appeared to the disciple after rising from the dead: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Blessed are those who have faith.
Still need a little boost? Here’s some tips for you:
1. Read the Word
Or at least hear God’s Word. Romans 10:17 (NKJV) says, So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. If no one had ever told me about Jesus, and about God’s plan for my life, or if I had never read for myself about Him, I would be clueless about the need for faith.
Reading or hearing God’s Word is like planting a garden. If you want to grow or “build” a garden, you must first plant the seeds, or the actual plant or flower. God’s Word is the seed that grows the faith. Knowing His promises, what God says about you, about life, and about Jesus’ plan for eternal life won’t transplant themselves into your brain by osmosis. Become familiar with the Bible and what faith is all about by meditating on its contents. This will give you the basis for growing or increasing your faith.
2. Heed the Word
James 1:22-24(NKJV) offers a second way to increase your faith: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
If we fail to heed what we’re reading and ignore what God is telling us, then our faith grows stagnant. It took faith for us to become children of God in the first place. Therefore, in order to grow and increase our faith, we need to use that “measure” of faith God gives to everyone and build on it.
3. Test the Word
There is a difference in “testing” God by “contesting” Him (seeing how far God’s patience will go with your own self will) and “testing,” or proving God’s Word is true. Malachi 3:9-11 (NIV) offers one practical way God says we can prove Him faithful to His Word. This passage concerns tithing and being good stewards of the things, He has given us: Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. As you “test” or act on what God says and experience God’s blessing, your faith grows.
The process of testing the measure of faith you have may involve trials and difficulties. How can you increase your faith in those circumstances? Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2-3, NIV).
My Prayer for You
Lord Jesus, increase our faith as we learn to depend on You and trust You more and more. Help us to crave Your Word: to read it, to heed it, and to test it, so it can truly become part of our lives. We long to be doers and not just hearers. Lord, we desperately need more of You and less of ourselves. Thank You for Your faithfulness in always keeping Your Word.
Pastor Glenn
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
As human beings, we are hard wired to believe in what we can actually experience with our senses. Faith however, takes us to a completely different place. Faith is all about believing in something we can’t see. In other words, faith is not based on our senses but rather on the Word of God. We can’t see God. But we can have rock-solid faith that He exists. That’s a key point. Still, there’s searching and questioning. Faith isn’t easy. It’s true and it’s right, but it requires the work of the Spirit – and that can be painful. In an increasingly secular society, your faith will be mocked and misinterpreted, and that can fuel doubts. Even the disciples who spent time chilling with Jesus needed a “faith booster”. Check out Luke 17:5
The apostles said to the LORD, "Increase our faith!
Think about how Jesus responded to “Doubting” Thomas when He appeared to the disciple after rising from the dead: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Blessed are those who have faith.
Still need a little boost? Here’s some tips for you:
1. Read the Word
Or at least hear God’s Word. Romans 10:17 (NKJV) says, So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. If no one had ever told me about Jesus, and about God’s plan for my life, or if I had never read for myself about Him, I would be clueless about the need for faith.
Reading or hearing God’s Word is like planting a garden. If you want to grow or “build” a garden, you must first plant the seeds, or the actual plant or flower. God’s Word is the seed that grows the faith. Knowing His promises, what God says about you, about life, and about Jesus’ plan for eternal life won’t transplant themselves into your brain by osmosis. Become familiar with the Bible and what faith is all about by meditating on its contents. This will give you the basis for growing or increasing your faith.
2. Heed the Word
James 1:22-24(NKJV) offers a second way to increase your faith: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
If we fail to heed what we’re reading and ignore what God is telling us, then our faith grows stagnant. It took faith for us to become children of God in the first place. Therefore, in order to grow and increase our faith, we need to use that “measure” of faith God gives to everyone and build on it.
3. Test the Word
There is a difference in “testing” God by “contesting” Him (seeing how far God’s patience will go with your own self will) and “testing,” or proving God’s Word is true. Malachi 3:9-11 (NIV) offers one practical way God says we can prove Him faithful to His Word. This passage concerns tithing and being good stewards of the things, He has given us: Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. As you “test” or act on what God says and experience God’s blessing, your faith grows.
The process of testing the measure of faith you have may involve trials and difficulties. How can you increase your faith in those circumstances? Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2-3, NIV).
My Prayer for You
Lord Jesus, increase our faith as we learn to depend on You and trust You more and more. Help us to crave Your Word: to read it, to heed it, and to test it, so it can truly become part of our lives. We long to be doers and not just hearers. Lord, we desperately need more of You and less of ourselves. Thank You for Your faithfulness in always keeping Your Word.
Pastor Glenn
When someone is hurting
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
How can Christians encourage and support someone who’s genuinely struggling?
Don’t try to answer WHY in the midst of the crisis.
Displaying your theological and biblical knowledge, especially to anyone in the midst of pain, will only come across as cold and heartless. Even Jesus didn’t answer the WHY question, but displayed love and compassion when confronted with pain (John Chapter 9).
Show Up and Be Present.
Be there in the pain. When the inevitable question of WHY appears, respond honestly with, ‘I don’t know.’ Because we don’t know. We don’t have God’s full understanding and, in those moments, we simply need to show up. Hopefully, they will begin to see the love of God in you by how you love them through their pain.
Offer to Pray for them.
Rarely has anyone ever turned down my offer of prayer during an intense personal crisis. This includes atheists, agnostics, and even those practicing other religions. So how do you pray? Start by admitting your confusion at the WHY question, then ask for God’s comfort, strength, peace, and help for the person facing the crisis.
Offer Encouragement.
Opportunities for encouragement often show up a bit after the initial crisis hits and requires incredible discernment to know how and when to point them towards God’s promises and hope. It’s always a good idea to follow their lead and answer questions as they are raised. And always be sure to pray that you would be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit to know what to say.
No one will ever be able to adequately answer the question, why? But the God who loves us, the God who sent His Son to die for us, understands ALL of our pain and suffering. He wants everyone to experience the same strength and peace that comes from knowing the God of comfort, who will be right there with us every step of the way.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
How can Christians encourage and support someone who’s genuinely struggling?
Don’t try to answer WHY in the midst of the crisis.
Displaying your theological and biblical knowledge, especially to anyone in the midst of pain, will only come across as cold and heartless. Even Jesus didn’t answer the WHY question, but displayed love and compassion when confronted with pain (John Chapter 9).
Show Up and Be Present.
Be there in the pain. When the inevitable question of WHY appears, respond honestly with, ‘I don’t know.’ Because we don’t know. We don’t have God’s full understanding and, in those moments, we simply need to show up. Hopefully, they will begin to see the love of God in you by how you love them through their pain.
Offer to Pray for them.
Rarely has anyone ever turned down my offer of prayer during an intense personal crisis. This includes atheists, agnostics, and even those practicing other religions. So how do you pray? Start by admitting your confusion at the WHY question, then ask for God’s comfort, strength, peace, and help for the person facing the crisis.
Offer Encouragement.
Opportunities for encouragement often show up a bit after the initial crisis hits and requires incredible discernment to know how and when to point them towards God’s promises and hope. It’s always a good idea to follow their lead and answer questions as they are raised. And always be sure to pray that you would be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit to know what to say.
No one will ever be able to adequately answer the question, why? But the God who loves us, the God who sent His Son to die for us, understands ALL of our pain and suffering. He wants everyone to experience the same strength and peace that comes from knowing the God of comfort, who will be right there with us every step of the way.
Dating ????
Ok, this is a big issue right? You want a "special someone" like "everybody else" seems to have. You don't want to be the odd one out.
I don't know any good Christian guy/girl in my church or youth group, so what's wrong with checking out the "non-Christian dating pool"?
Hmmm, maybe this is an area I don't feel comfortable surrendering to God ...
Dating is something that a lot of young Christian teens look forward to. But dating for Christians is a bit more complicated than for the rest of the world, because when we date, we have to think not just of what’s fun and feels good, but what will bring glory to God!
One thing that doesn’t really bring glory to God is dating non-Christians. There are many reasons for this, so let’s take a look at why you should stick to dating those who share your faith.
If you date a non-Christian… you won’t share core values
Christians have some pretty important values that we keep at the center of our lives. For example, we value loving others before ourselves pretty highly. That may be a value you share with your date, even if they aren’t a Christian. But there are some other values that may not be quite so shared.
For example, Christians value meeting together with other Christians regularly, for worship, learning and fellowship. Odds are, if you date a non-Christian, they aren’t going to share this value, and that will be really hard on you. You’ll have to make hard choices – skip youth group to hang out with your date, or disappoint your date and go to youth group?? You can avoid these hard decisions by dating someone who values the same things you do.
If you date a non-Christian… fighting sexual temptation may be harder
For most of the world, once you’re old enough (and that age varies between countries and even individuals) dating someone means eventually sleeping with them.
So, if you date a non-Christian, most of them are going to expect you to have sex sooner or later. This can make it really hard for you to protect your purity and stay out of bed before marriage.
While you may be able to explain to your date that you’re not going to sleep with them, in moments of temptation you’ll probably be the only one fighting the urge to go further. You can lower the chance of going too far by dating someone who wants to protect their purity (and yours!) as much as you do.
If you date a non-Christian… you could have a hard marriage
If you date and then marry a non-Christian, there are three possibilities. One, you’ll spend your life trying to convince your spouse to become a Christian, and battling with them over things where your values differ. Two, your spouse will become Christian (though this is sadly rare). Three, you will give up your faith in order to keep the peace with your spouse.
Consider, also, the impact marrying a non-Christian may have on any children you have. When dad says one thing and mum says another, kids can feel confused, like they need to pick a side, or trapped. Also, how will you raise your kids? Will they go to Sunday school and youth group? Will you teach them to pray and read the Bible?
The world says, “just date! Don’t worry about marriage!” But Christians know that dating isn’t the end point, and relationships are meant to lead somewhere. If you do choose to date (even when you are many years away from feeling ready to get married), understanding the purpose of dating is still helpful. You should only date people you could marry.
But I really want to date!
This advice is all good when you’re not interested in someone. But what if you’ve got a crush on a non-Christian right now? What if they’re kind, attractive, and you think they won’t pull you away from your faith?
If you’re feeling this way, remind yourself of God’s goodness. God has a plan for your life, and you need to be patient. God’s plan is always the best plan. Dating a non-Christians will almost always lead to heartache.
My friend is dating a non-Christian… what can I do?
Many Christian teens see their friends making unwise choices and want to help. But tread carefully. It’s very important that you don’t make your friend feel judged, alienated or unwelcome at youth group or church because of their choice. Ask them, gently, why they are dating the person. Carefully raise some points from this article. But more importantly, keep in touch with them, make sure you encourage them to stay committed to meeting with other Christians, and pray for them. Maybe their boyfriend or girlfriend will become a Christian! But if not, and they break up, you want your friend to feel able to come straight back to church without feeling guilty or judged.
What if I dated a non-Christian and I wish I hadn’t?
Sometimes we let our hearts guide our decisions, instead of praying about them and asking for God’s help. But if we do make bad decisions, we can take comfort in the fact that God will always forgive us when we ask. It’s never too late to start living his way again.
Bottom line: God knows the desires of your heart. Honor HIM and give the whole "relationship thing" to His care. His way and His timing is perfect !
- Pastor Glenn
Ok, this is a big issue right? You want a "special someone" like "everybody else" seems to have. You don't want to be the odd one out.
I don't know any good Christian guy/girl in my church or youth group, so what's wrong with checking out the "non-Christian dating pool"?
Hmmm, maybe this is an area I don't feel comfortable surrendering to God ...
Dating is something that a lot of young Christian teens look forward to. But dating for Christians is a bit more complicated than for the rest of the world, because when we date, we have to think not just of what’s fun and feels good, but what will bring glory to God!
One thing that doesn’t really bring glory to God is dating non-Christians. There are many reasons for this, so let’s take a look at why you should stick to dating those who share your faith.
If you date a non-Christian… you won’t share core values
Christians have some pretty important values that we keep at the center of our lives. For example, we value loving others before ourselves pretty highly. That may be a value you share with your date, even if they aren’t a Christian. But there are some other values that may not be quite so shared.
For example, Christians value meeting together with other Christians regularly, for worship, learning and fellowship. Odds are, if you date a non-Christian, they aren’t going to share this value, and that will be really hard on you. You’ll have to make hard choices – skip youth group to hang out with your date, or disappoint your date and go to youth group?? You can avoid these hard decisions by dating someone who values the same things you do.
If you date a non-Christian… fighting sexual temptation may be harder
For most of the world, once you’re old enough (and that age varies between countries and even individuals) dating someone means eventually sleeping with them.
So, if you date a non-Christian, most of them are going to expect you to have sex sooner or later. This can make it really hard for you to protect your purity and stay out of bed before marriage.
While you may be able to explain to your date that you’re not going to sleep with them, in moments of temptation you’ll probably be the only one fighting the urge to go further. You can lower the chance of going too far by dating someone who wants to protect their purity (and yours!) as much as you do.
If you date a non-Christian… you could have a hard marriage
If you date and then marry a non-Christian, there are three possibilities. One, you’ll spend your life trying to convince your spouse to become a Christian, and battling with them over things where your values differ. Two, your spouse will become Christian (though this is sadly rare). Three, you will give up your faith in order to keep the peace with your spouse.
Consider, also, the impact marrying a non-Christian may have on any children you have. When dad says one thing and mum says another, kids can feel confused, like they need to pick a side, or trapped. Also, how will you raise your kids? Will they go to Sunday school and youth group? Will you teach them to pray and read the Bible?
The world says, “just date! Don’t worry about marriage!” But Christians know that dating isn’t the end point, and relationships are meant to lead somewhere. If you do choose to date (even when you are many years away from feeling ready to get married), understanding the purpose of dating is still helpful. You should only date people you could marry.
But I really want to date!
This advice is all good when you’re not interested in someone. But what if you’ve got a crush on a non-Christian right now? What if they’re kind, attractive, and you think they won’t pull you away from your faith?
If you’re feeling this way, remind yourself of God’s goodness. God has a plan for your life, and you need to be patient. God’s plan is always the best plan. Dating a non-Christians will almost always lead to heartache.
My friend is dating a non-Christian… what can I do?
Many Christian teens see their friends making unwise choices and want to help. But tread carefully. It’s very important that you don’t make your friend feel judged, alienated or unwelcome at youth group or church because of their choice. Ask them, gently, why they are dating the person. Carefully raise some points from this article. But more importantly, keep in touch with them, make sure you encourage them to stay committed to meeting with other Christians, and pray for them. Maybe their boyfriend or girlfriend will become a Christian! But if not, and they break up, you want your friend to feel able to come straight back to church without feeling guilty or judged.
What if I dated a non-Christian and I wish I hadn’t?
Sometimes we let our hearts guide our decisions, instead of praying about them and asking for God’s help. But if we do make bad decisions, we can take comfort in the fact that God will always forgive us when we ask. It’s never too late to start living his way again.
Bottom line: God knows the desires of your heart. Honor HIM and give the whole "relationship thing" to His care. His way and His timing is perfect !
- Pastor Glenn
Beautiful feet
Mark 16:15
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Matthew 28:19
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 10:14,15
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
You and I have a priceless treasure – God’s Word, the Bible. We have an incredible life saving and life transforming message – the Gospel, the Good news of salvation. We also have been given a command to reach our world with the Good News.
God is counting on us to take His message of salvation to others, so they can have a chance to respond. Where and when does this begin? Right here and right now – with YOU, within your sphere of influence. Just think of friends, family members, neighbors, and others. They need Jesus! How are they going to even have that chance to respond if nobody tells them?
Guess what? You don’t have to be some all-out super Christian to reach people for Jesus. He just wants you as you walk in obedience to Him and follow His lead. You may be thinking that you don’t have the skill, courage, or determination to be a witness for Christ but as you grow in your own personal relationship with Him, He will provide you with the opportunities and inner strength to tell His message.
Ask God to put a passion in your heart to bring people to Christ.
Pastor Glenn
Mark 16:15
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Matthew 28:19
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 10:14,15
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
You and I have a priceless treasure – God’s Word, the Bible. We have an incredible life saving and life transforming message – the Gospel, the Good news of salvation. We also have been given a command to reach our world with the Good News.
God is counting on us to take His message of salvation to others, so they can have a chance to respond. Where and when does this begin? Right here and right now – with YOU, within your sphere of influence. Just think of friends, family members, neighbors, and others. They need Jesus! How are they going to even have that chance to respond if nobody tells them?
Guess what? You don’t have to be some all-out super Christian to reach people for Jesus. He just wants you as you walk in obedience to Him and follow His lead. You may be thinking that you don’t have the skill, courage, or determination to be a witness for Christ but as you grow in your own personal relationship with Him, He will provide you with the opportunities and inner strength to tell His message.
Ask God to put a passion in your heart to bring people to Christ.
Pastor Glenn
Reality check time
I believe self-assessment is a spiritual discipline. It is so important to completely tune out the world, go to our secret place alone with God and seriously take a reality check on where we are at. It becomes far too easy to become complacent in our own relationships with Jesus. We go to church, read our Bibles, find a routine, get stuck in a rut and don't realize that while we think we are good we really aren't.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about sin, about being bad. (Though sin can creep in.) You don't have to be BAD to NOT be good. It’s about a personal relationship that is lacking...or dying. Because that's what Christianity truly is, not religion but relationship. I am not just a church-goer. I am, or at least want to be, a Jesus-follower. I want to be led by Him in the purpose He created for me.
Following Jesus isn't always easy and sometimes we stop following Him and don't realize it. We were walking with Him, hand in hand. Then, one day we look and we’ve let go of His hand and veered a little off the path He intended for us. We feel a little lost. We wanted to follow Him but now we don’t see Him as clearly and it isn’t because He left us behind or pushed us away. He didn’t let go. Following Jesus means paying attention. It’s about focus, walking by faith and not by sight. It’s all about being in tune with Kingdom realities rather than what the world tries to sell us.
When I talk about self-assessment it usually comes before or after me saying that we shouldn't assume us and Jesus are okay, that we are headed the right direction, until we have asked Jesus. The assessment of our personal relationship with Christ isn't a question we answer, but rather one we ask Him. Maybe it's not just one question, but many. Here are some we can start with.
1. Have I been withholding something from Jesus?
We all want to give it all to God but there are times fear and doubt or even selfishness keeps us holding tightly to particular areas of our lives. We don't trust God with certain sections of us or we don't want to change certain things so we keep them in our own hands. But God wants all of us, holding back a piece of ourselves from Him only keeps us at a distance. The phrase “total surrender” is a reality. Let God show you the areas you need to let go of and give Him complete control of. He can be trusted with all the parts of you.
2. Have I let past hurts get in the way?
In the story of Lazarus, Jesus seemingly gets there a couple days too late. Lazarus's sisters are understandably frustrated and broken. They tell Jesus if He had been there, their brother wouldn't be dead. We tend to look at their words with a little bit of judgement because we know the end of that story, but they didn't. Too often we offer God the same attitude without even realizing it.
Something happened, we were hurt in some way and God didn't sweep in to the rescue like we wanted Him to. He didn't fix things like we think He should have, or we can't see His goodness in our pain and so we take that hurt and seal it behind a stone in our heart. The rest of us goes on like nothing is wrong but that piece is dying and the stench of death will leak out to the rest of our soul until we find ourselves at a distance from God because of anger, bitterness, or resentment toward others or even Him.
We need to choose forgiveness, whether it is forgiving someone else or ourselves. Remember, forgiveness isn’t an emotion but an intentional attitude. It is more a path we walk than a switch we flip.
3. Have I been comparing myself to other people?
Comparison is a dangerous game. It gets us looking at others rather than at Jesus. After all, my ultimate goal, whether I will ever reach it or not, isn't to be like the best Christian in my church or Instagram feed, it's to be like Jesus.
But if I can see where I am better than so-and-so I feel better about my own shortcomings. This gives us a false sense of accomplishment. We can forget for the moment that we aren't as close as we used to be because we don't seem as far away from Jesus as our neighbor. But our perception is flawed and we are missing opportunities for our own spiritual growth by settling for just better than them rather than seeking all of God. Don't be so busy worrying (or judging) others and their view of Jesus that you lose sight of Him yourself.
The flip-side of this is equally dangerous. We get our eyes on other Christians. We see how passionate they are, how deep their relationship appears, how much they seem to have it all together and we think we will never be like them. Without realizing it we pause in our own walk with God feeling like He could never love us the way He must love them. We see ourselves as disappointments to the Maker so we pull back from Him.
Jesus isn't comparing you to anyone else. He will never ask you to be more like them, only to try your best to be more like Him. (In the words of my mentor, it isn't about perfection but direction, so be okay with being imperfect as long as you are keeping your eyes on Him.)
4. Have I been busy focusing on the wrong things?
We can get so caught up in youth group attendance and small group leading and worship team singing, and all those other good things that we forget to open our Bibles and get on our knees daily. It’s been said the devil doesn't need to make you bad if He can make you busy. Let’s not get too busy that we forget the HE is the Shepherd and He just wants to lead. Ask yourself “am I willing to be led?” Do I know the Shepherd’s voice?”
Understand, the enemy is fine with you being busy with church stuff as long as you don't realize that you sat down in your personal walk with God. He doesn't need you to stop being a Christian as long as he can get you to be a lazy one. I mean no disrespect, but for most of us, myself included, we work really hard at jobs and even at serving but we get really lazy when it comes to the daily work of this “us and Jesus” relationship. Why? Because we tell ourselves that it's ok but it isn't. It's good, but it isn't all that we need. Eventually it will no longer even be good. That area of ministry where we were once so fulfilled will become a place of misery because we left Jesus behind. We will get burned out on the thing we once loved.
I am sure there are more questions. I guess the point of all of this is to ask them. I can only tell you to start with Jesus. Stop assuming that everything is okay, that you are exactly where you should be and doing what you should do and ask Him. Don't let comfort keep you from all that God wants for you. I know giving Him everything can be scary. I know forgiveness can be difficult. I know it can be uncomfortable to deal with our own failings. I know setting the right daily habits isn't going to be easy. It will all be worth it as you pursue your purpose.
Just make serving Jesus your passion and always your number one priority.
Pastor Glenn
I believe self-assessment is a spiritual discipline. It is so important to completely tune out the world, go to our secret place alone with God and seriously take a reality check on where we are at. It becomes far too easy to become complacent in our own relationships with Jesus. We go to church, read our Bibles, find a routine, get stuck in a rut and don't realize that while we think we are good we really aren't.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about sin, about being bad. (Though sin can creep in.) You don't have to be BAD to NOT be good. It’s about a personal relationship that is lacking...or dying. Because that's what Christianity truly is, not religion but relationship. I am not just a church-goer. I am, or at least want to be, a Jesus-follower. I want to be led by Him in the purpose He created for me.
Following Jesus isn't always easy and sometimes we stop following Him and don't realize it. We were walking with Him, hand in hand. Then, one day we look and we’ve let go of His hand and veered a little off the path He intended for us. We feel a little lost. We wanted to follow Him but now we don’t see Him as clearly and it isn’t because He left us behind or pushed us away. He didn’t let go. Following Jesus means paying attention. It’s about focus, walking by faith and not by sight. It’s all about being in tune with Kingdom realities rather than what the world tries to sell us.
When I talk about self-assessment it usually comes before or after me saying that we shouldn't assume us and Jesus are okay, that we are headed the right direction, until we have asked Jesus. The assessment of our personal relationship with Christ isn't a question we answer, but rather one we ask Him. Maybe it's not just one question, but many. Here are some we can start with.
1. Have I been withholding something from Jesus?
We all want to give it all to God but there are times fear and doubt or even selfishness keeps us holding tightly to particular areas of our lives. We don't trust God with certain sections of us or we don't want to change certain things so we keep them in our own hands. But God wants all of us, holding back a piece of ourselves from Him only keeps us at a distance. The phrase “total surrender” is a reality. Let God show you the areas you need to let go of and give Him complete control of. He can be trusted with all the parts of you.
2. Have I let past hurts get in the way?
In the story of Lazarus, Jesus seemingly gets there a couple days too late. Lazarus's sisters are understandably frustrated and broken. They tell Jesus if He had been there, their brother wouldn't be dead. We tend to look at their words with a little bit of judgement because we know the end of that story, but they didn't. Too often we offer God the same attitude without even realizing it.
Something happened, we were hurt in some way and God didn't sweep in to the rescue like we wanted Him to. He didn't fix things like we think He should have, or we can't see His goodness in our pain and so we take that hurt and seal it behind a stone in our heart. The rest of us goes on like nothing is wrong but that piece is dying and the stench of death will leak out to the rest of our soul until we find ourselves at a distance from God because of anger, bitterness, or resentment toward others or even Him.
We need to choose forgiveness, whether it is forgiving someone else or ourselves. Remember, forgiveness isn’t an emotion but an intentional attitude. It is more a path we walk than a switch we flip.
3. Have I been comparing myself to other people?
Comparison is a dangerous game. It gets us looking at others rather than at Jesus. After all, my ultimate goal, whether I will ever reach it or not, isn't to be like the best Christian in my church or Instagram feed, it's to be like Jesus.
But if I can see where I am better than so-and-so I feel better about my own shortcomings. This gives us a false sense of accomplishment. We can forget for the moment that we aren't as close as we used to be because we don't seem as far away from Jesus as our neighbor. But our perception is flawed and we are missing opportunities for our own spiritual growth by settling for just better than them rather than seeking all of God. Don't be so busy worrying (or judging) others and their view of Jesus that you lose sight of Him yourself.
The flip-side of this is equally dangerous. We get our eyes on other Christians. We see how passionate they are, how deep their relationship appears, how much they seem to have it all together and we think we will never be like them. Without realizing it we pause in our own walk with God feeling like He could never love us the way He must love them. We see ourselves as disappointments to the Maker so we pull back from Him.
Jesus isn't comparing you to anyone else. He will never ask you to be more like them, only to try your best to be more like Him. (In the words of my mentor, it isn't about perfection but direction, so be okay with being imperfect as long as you are keeping your eyes on Him.)
4. Have I been busy focusing on the wrong things?
We can get so caught up in youth group attendance and small group leading and worship team singing, and all those other good things that we forget to open our Bibles and get on our knees daily. It’s been said the devil doesn't need to make you bad if He can make you busy. Let’s not get too busy that we forget the HE is the Shepherd and He just wants to lead. Ask yourself “am I willing to be led?” Do I know the Shepherd’s voice?”
Understand, the enemy is fine with you being busy with church stuff as long as you don't realize that you sat down in your personal walk with God. He doesn't need you to stop being a Christian as long as he can get you to be a lazy one. I mean no disrespect, but for most of us, myself included, we work really hard at jobs and even at serving but we get really lazy when it comes to the daily work of this “us and Jesus” relationship. Why? Because we tell ourselves that it's ok but it isn't. It's good, but it isn't all that we need. Eventually it will no longer even be good. That area of ministry where we were once so fulfilled will become a place of misery because we left Jesus behind. We will get burned out on the thing we once loved.
I am sure there are more questions. I guess the point of all of this is to ask them. I can only tell you to start with Jesus. Stop assuming that everything is okay, that you are exactly where you should be and doing what you should do and ask Him. Don't let comfort keep you from all that God wants for you. I know giving Him everything can be scary. I know forgiveness can be difficult. I know it can be uncomfortable to deal with our own failings. I know setting the right daily habits isn't going to be easy. It will all be worth it as you pursue your purpose.
Just make serving Jesus your passion and always your number one priority.
Pastor Glenn
Your God given purpose
Have you ever wondered “why am I really here? Do I belong? What’s my purpose anyway?
Sometimes the idea of discovering God’s purpose for your life can make you feel lost. You might feel like you don’t know where to go and you’re afraid to make the wrong turn. However, following God’s plan for your life doesn’t have to be difficult or confusing. God wants to show you your purpose.
Discovering Purpose Takes Time Alone with God
Proverbs 20:27 – The spirit of a man is the lamp of the lord searching all the inner depths of his heart
God wants to reveal things to you about your future. However, God isn’t going to show you those things using Snapchat, Musically, Instagram or any other social media platform, but wouldn’t it be nice if he did? God reveals things to you in your spirit. And it’s not complicated: to hear God you’ve got to get quiet and listen. That’s hard sometimes, social media is way more fun than reading your Bible and prayer. However, God wants to talk to you and reveal things to you. You’ve just got to get quiet to listen to your spirit.
The key to discovering your divine destiny and purpose is simple: Realize God wants to speak to you about your future.
When you have that truth solidly in your heart it will make the process of discovery easier. God wants to show you His plans for your life. He wants to help you make good decisions about your future. God speaks those truths to your spirit. So, if you’re quiet and willing to listen, God will show you the next step to take.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
– Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
God has plans for you. And he wants to show them to you. All you have to do is spend some time seeking God. If you started dating someone, you’d want to spend time with them to get to know them better. You’d want to know all their hobbies, their dislikes, likes, hopes, and dreams. Developing a relationship with God is no different. It’s all about spending time getting to know God. As you spend time in the Bible and in prayer, you’ll get to know the things God likes and His hopes and dreams for you.
More than anything, God wants to help you make the right decisions – so involve Him in the decision-making process. Choose to spend time getting to know Him and letting Him speak to your spirit about your future.
Purpose Isn’t Identity
We put a lot of weight on what we do for a career, so much that it often becomes our identity. You’ll see adults that introduce themselves by saying something like, “I’m Lydia and I’m a doctor”. In society, a lot of weight is placed on your career. It’s important to remember that our purpose or career is not our identity. Our identity is found in Jesus. We need to find out what Jesus says about us in the Bible. We need to let who we are in Christ become our identity.
What you do for God is never as important as for you to discover your identity in Christ. Your career isn’t your identity. Jesus is your identity.
Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually.
– 3 John 1:2
God wants you to prosper in every area of your life. He’s more concerned with you knowing who you are in Christ than He is about what you end up doing as a career. So, take some time in the discovery process to focus on the things God says about you. Realize that God wants you to prosper in every way.
It Takes Time to Learn Your Giftings
Have you ever discovered a new game? I remember when I was a kid my grandma taught me a new card game. The first few times I played, I wasn’t very good. It took me some time to learn the rules and discover strategies that would help me win. Once I had played the game a few times, I began to win. The more I played, the more I learned and the better I got.
The same is true with our giftings. We don’t always know what we’re gifted at right away. You’ve got to learn and discover the things you’re good at. You might try out for band and realize you hate music. You might go out for volleyball to discover you’re not athletic. That’s ok. Part of discovering what you’re good at requires learning what you’re not good at. Keep at it, keep trying to learn and discover your giftings.
Part of discovering your giftings requires learning what you’re not good at
You might realize that you really like helping with the children’s ministry at your church, but you hate working with the media team. That’s ok. You’re in the process of discovery. You’re learning more and more all the time about what your giftings are. Get involved at your local church. Begin to serve and you’ll start to see the things you’re good at and the things you’re not that good at. It’s all part of the learning process. The more you learn the better you’ll get!
Discovering purpose takes some effort. It requires spending time with God, and learning about yourself and your giftings. The good news is that God wants to show you your purpose. If you choose to spend time with Him and listen, He’ll speak to your spirit and show you the next steps to take.
Have you ever wondered “why am I really here? Do I belong? What’s my purpose anyway?
Sometimes the idea of discovering God’s purpose for your life can make you feel lost. You might feel like you don’t know where to go and you’re afraid to make the wrong turn. However, following God’s plan for your life doesn’t have to be difficult or confusing. God wants to show you your purpose.
Discovering Purpose Takes Time Alone with God
Proverbs 20:27 – The spirit of a man is the lamp of the lord searching all the inner depths of his heart
God wants to reveal things to you about your future. However, God isn’t going to show you those things using Snapchat, Musically, Instagram or any other social media platform, but wouldn’t it be nice if he did? God reveals things to you in your spirit. And it’s not complicated: to hear God you’ve got to get quiet and listen. That’s hard sometimes, social media is way more fun than reading your Bible and prayer. However, God wants to talk to you and reveal things to you. You’ve just got to get quiet to listen to your spirit.
The key to discovering your divine destiny and purpose is simple: Realize God wants to speak to you about your future.
When you have that truth solidly in your heart it will make the process of discovery easier. God wants to show you His plans for your life. He wants to help you make good decisions about your future. God speaks those truths to your spirit. So, if you’re quiet and willing to listen, God will show you the next step to take.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
– Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
God has plans for you. And he wants to show them to you. All you have to do is spend some time seeking God. If you started dating someone, you’d want to spend time with them to get to know them better. You’d want to know all their hobbies, their dislikes, likes, hopes, and dreams. Developing a relationship with God is no different. It’s all about spending time getting to know God. As you spend time in the Bible and in prayer, you’ll get to know the things God likes and His hopes and dreams for you.
More than anything, God wants to help you make the right decisions – so involve Him in the decision-making process. Choose to spend time getting to know Him and letting Him speak to your spirit about your future.
Purpose Isn’t Identity
We put a lot of weight on what we do for a career, so much that it often becomes our identity. You’ll see adults that introduce themselves by saying something like, “I’m Lydia and I’m a doctor”. In society, a lot of weight is placed on your career. It’s important to remember that our purpose or career is not our identity. Our identity is found in Jesus. We need to find out what Jesus says about us in the Bible. We need to let who we are in Christ become our identity.
What you do for God is never as important as for you to discover your identity in Christ. Your career isn’t your identity. Jesus is your identity.
Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually.
– 3 John 1:2
God wants you to prosper in every area of your life. He’s more concerned with you knowing who you are in Christ than He is about what you end up doing as a career. So, take some time in the discovery process to focus on the things God says about you. Realize that God wants you to prosper in every way.
It Takes Time to Learn Your Giftings
Have you ever discovered a new game? I remember when I was a kid my grandma taught me a new card game. The first few times I played, I wasn’t very good. It took me some time to learn the rules and discover strategies that would help me win. Once I had played the game a few times, I began to win. The more I played, the more I learned and the better I got.
The same is true with our giftings. We don’t always know what we’re gifted at right away. You’ve got to learn and discover the things you’re good at. You might try out for band and realize you hate music. You might go out for volleyball to discover you’re not athletic. That’s ok. Part of discovering what you’re good at requires learning what you’re not good at. Keep at it, keep trying to learn and discover your giftings.
Part of discovering your giftings requires learning what you’re not good at
You might realize that you really like helping with the children’s ministry at your church, but you hate working with the media team. That’s ok. You’re in the process of discovery. You’re learning more and more all the time about what your giftings are. Get involved at your local church. Begin to serve and you’ll start to see the things you’re good at and the things you’re not that good at. It’s all part of the learning process. The more you learn the better you’ll get!
Discovering purpose takes some effort. It requires spending time with God, and learning about yourself and your giftings. The good news is that God wants to show you your purpose. If you choose to spend time with Him and listen, He’ll speak to your spirit and show you the next steps to take.
godly facebooking
I recently heard of something that happened on Facebook. A girl posted about New Year’s Day, saying “People always make New Year’s Resolutions, but let’s face it, none of us are going to keep ours.”
How would you respond to a statement like that?
Some people posted back in agreement, and the poster had a lot of likes. But one of the poster’s 375 “friends” had just made a New Year’s Resolution to go back to the gym. She really wanted to keep it, and was a kind of “up” and bubbly person, so that comment really got to her. This girl (we’ll call her Jena) simply posted back “Ew”.
In other words, Jena had read this negative comment, had felt it strike her wrongly, and she posted her feelings about it: “Ew.”
It turns out things had gotten a little tense between the girl and Jena lately. They were in the same math class … no words had been exchanged, just a few dirty looks that probably started with mutual jealousy. The first girl posted back to Jena, “I hear you’re switching high schools. Is it because you don’t have any friends at this school?”
What she didn't realize was Jena’s dad had serious surgery the year before, and they were moving so he could live in a house that didn’t have as many stairs. Switching schools was causing the whole family a tremendous stress.
The point is, this Facebook war mushroomed into something that involved three days of posts, over 160 people from 5 different communities and 3 different schools.
Some would argue it all started with just TWO LITTLE LETTERS: E-W. Ew.
With that story in mind, here's four principles to help us be godly Face bookers.
1. Your online behavior reflects your offline attitudes
Philippians 4:8 says, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”
You can’t say, and you can’t post, what you’re not thinking about.
So, before your write something on Facebook, imagine how others might respond to what are you saying. How do think they will feel? Good? Or Bad? If you think there's a chance they will take it negatively, maybe you shouldn't post it.
Posting and texting is just like any other area of life. In Matthew 7:12 Jesus states clearly, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” This 'Golden Rule' sums up almost every other command in the Bible.
2. Avoid online negativity
This principle is like a subcategory of the first. If you say something negative about a person, it often gets back to the source. If you post something negative in public about another person, that’s worse. If you try to encrypt it so that only a few people know what you’re talking about, it will be sniffed out by the source — and probably 20 other people who are so deeply insecure that they think everyone is referring to them.
If you have something you need to say to someone, then go and talk to them face-to-face. And do it with grace and love.
3. Don't return evil for evil
What if someone says something negative about you? Not returning evil for evil is really hard, and yet it is where the rubber meets the road in relying on Christ. You’re going to need practice and patience.
Here are some examples I've seen of people responding to negative comments:
Negative person says: “Where’d you get those ugly jeans?”
Reply: (roll eyes) “I know they're not the best … but I really love all the stuff you wear.”
Negative person says: “I can’t stand so-and-so. He's really annoying.”
Reply: “Actually, he sits beside me in math. He’s really nice once you get to know him.”
Negative person says: “So and so wrote bad stuff about you on the bathroom wall.”
Reply: “You’re kidding! Wow. I always really liked her. I'll try and find a time to chat with her about it.”
It’s very hard to return a mean comment with a nice one because we feel like we are giving that mean person even more power. But the opposite is true.
4. Kill them with kindness
Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you."
“Heap burning coals” means that regardless of what people may show on the outside, you will make them burn with regret over what they just said. It’s such a well-known tactic that it has a name: It’s called “killing people with kindness”.
That doesn’t mean the guilt will show up in people right away. Generally, they will look confused or stunned.
But often they’ll go away and think about it. Conversely, if you say something mean back, you are throwing fire at fire. What happens to the fire when you add fire to it? It grows and grows. Will fire ever put out a fire?
In the end, as Christians, we want to follow the lead of Jesus, who said in Matthew 5:44, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Are you ready to do that on Facebook today?
I recently heard of something that happened on Facebook. A girl posted about New Year’s Day, saying “People always make New Year’s Resolutions, but let’s face it, none of us are going to keep ours.”
How would you respond to a statement like that?
Some people posted back in agreement, and the poster had a lot of likes. But one of the poster’s 375 “friends” had just made a New Year’s Resolution to go back to the gym. She really wanted to keep it, and was a kind of “up” and bubbly person, so that comment really got to her. This girl (we’ll call her Jena) simply posted back “Ew”.
In other words, Jena had read this negative comment, had felt it strike her wrongly, and she posted her feelings about it: “Ew.”
It turns out things had gotten a little tense between the girl and Jena lately. They were in the same math class … no words had been exchanged, just a few dirty looks that probably started with mutual jealousy. The first girl posted back to Jena, “I hear you’re switching high schools. Is it because you don’t have any friends at this school?”
What she didn't realize was Jena’s dad had serious surgery the year before, and they were moving so he could live in a house that didn’t have as many stairs. Switching schools was causing the whole family a tremendous stress.
The point is, this Facebook war mushroomed into something that involved three days of posts, over 160 people from 5 different communities and 3 different schools.
Some would argue it all started with just TWO LITTLE LETTERS: E-W. Ew.
With that story in mind, here's four principles to help us be godly Face bookers.
1. Your online behavior reflects your offline attitudes
Philippians 4:8 says, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”
You can’t say, and you can’t post, what you’re not thinking about.
So, before your write something on Facebook, imagine how others might respond to what are you saying. How do think they will feel? Good? Or Bad? If you think there's a chance they will take it negatively, maybe you shouldn't post it.
Posting and texting is just like any other area of life. In Matthew 7:12 Jesus states clearly, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” This 'Golden Rule' sums up almost every other command in the Bible.
2. Avoid online negativity
This principle is like a subcategory of the first. If you say something negative about a person, it often gets back to the source. If you post something negative in public about another person, that’s worse. If you try to encrypt it so that only a few people know what you’re talking about, it will be sniffed out by the source — and probably 20 other people who are so deeply insecure that they think everyone is referring to them.
If you have something you need to say to someone, then go and talk to them face-to-face. And do it with grace and love.
3. Don't return evil for evil
What if someone says something negative about you? Not returning evil for evil is really hard, and yet it is where the rubber meets the road in relying on Christ. You’re going to need practice and patience.
Here are some examples I've seen of people responding to negative comments:
Negative person says: “Where’d you get those ugly jeans?”
Reply: (roll eyes) “I know they're not the best … but I really love all the stuff you wear.”
Negative person says: “I can’t stand so-and-so. He's really annoying.”
Reply: “Actually, he sits beside me in math. He’s really nice once you get to know him.”
Negative person says: “So and so wrote bad stuff about you on the bathroom wall.”
Reply: “You’re kidding! Wow. I always really liked her. I'll try and find a time to chat with her about it.”
It’s very hard to return a mean comment with a nice one because we feel like we are giving that mean person even more power. But the opposite is true.
4. Kill them with kindness
Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you."
“Heap burning coals” means that regardless of what people may show on the outside, you will make them burn with regret over what they just said. It’s such a well-known tactic that it has a name: It’s called “killing people with kindness”.
That doesn’t mean the guilt will show up in people right away. Generally, they will look confused or stunned.
But often they’ll go away and think about it. Conversely, if you say something mean back, you are throwing fire at fire. What happens to the fire when you add fire to it? It grows and grows. Will fire ever put out a fire?
In the end, as Christians, we want to follow the lead of Jesus, who said in Matthew 5:44, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Are you ready to do that on Facebook today?
All for HIM
Life can get pretty boring sometimes right ? It's like.... whatever.... same old ….
Why do I always settle for less than my best?
I asked myself this question and sighed. Why do I always do the easy thing?
I’m always making excuses for doing less than my best. Or maybe I do the ‘bare minimum’.
Here's something you may never thought of, perhaps it's a new twist for you, but it sure changed my entire perspective on things.
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children;” - Ephesians 5:1-2
How can we be imitators of Christ when we’re doing everything halfway? He doesn’t do things halfway.
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31
It doesn’t shed a very good light on Christ. We need to glorify God in everything we do. No matter if it’s as big as applying for college, or just doing the dishes - we need to do everything for Him.
If you’re like me, you realize this is something you need to work on, but maybe you struggle with knowing how to put it into practice.
Here are five practical things you can do today to glorify God with everything you have.
1. Read God’s word and talk to Him daily.
This tip, although obvious, is the most important of them all.
The word of God is fuel.
If you’re spending all day running on empty, then you’ll never be able to glorify God. Yet, so often, that’s what we do. We forsake reading the Bible and talking to God for other diversions like our phones. No wonder we do lots of things halfway, because we lack the nourishment to do anything else.
Each day start with a time of prayer and reading. Dig deep into His Word and see what He has to say about your life. See what He has to say about you. Ask God to help you see places where you aren’t doing your best to glorify God and ask Him to help you correct them.
2. Make a list - love lists.
The check in the box gives me satisfaction and makes me feel like I have actually accomplished something in a day. This is a really helpful tool that helps me pursue excellence.
Make a list of things you need to get done in one day, whether that be school, work, or hobbies. Then, make a time limit of how much time you should spend on each thing.
If you’re a student going to school, make sure you’ve got space in your day to do your homework. It might not seem particularly ‘Godly’ but working hard on your science project is what God wants you to do in that moment. Make a list to help you keep track of your time and to help you to glorify God in everything you do, whether it be school or chores.
3. Ask for accountability
Life is lived in community, so we shouldn’t be trying to go solo.
My parents often remind me if I’m slacking in an area, and I am thankful for that. But something that I have found particularly helpful is accountability from my friends.
I have recently started an accountability group with a friend, and it has already helped me tremendously. I have asked her to point out any ways she sees me slacking, and also recruited her to ask how I have been doing in certain areas. One of those areas I ask her to help me with is giving glory to God.
Find a good friend, family member, or even mentor and ask them if you both could partner and keep each other accountable. Maybe it will help you remember to glorify God in every area of your walk.
4. Memorize verses Memorizing scripture can be hard.
And, it can be an anchor in a stormy sea.
God has used scripture in my life when dealing with anxiety, temptation and even anger. Memorizing it can help for His truth to sink into your heart and penetrate your mind. Then, in times of need, He will bring it up to show you what you should do, and to remind you of His love. Maybe memorize the verses above. (Ephesians 5:1-2) and (1 Corinthians 10:31)
5. Show yourself grace
Remember to show yourself grace. You aren’t going to do everything right the first time (or maybe even the second or third). And we must try to do our best and glorify God, but we also must allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.
All things will be made new. Right now, this world is corrupt, full of sin. There’s evil everywhere. We sin all the time. But God promises that one day there will be a new earth and we will be renewed.
Right now, you won’t achieve perfection, but you can pursue excellence.
But we must try and never give up. Keep striving to live for Him and to glorify Him! It’s hard, but we will see the results of it one day.
The Patch can set you up with an accountability partner. Just contact us. Free, totally confidential.
Life can get pretty boring sometimes right ? It's like.... whatever.... same old ….
Why do I always settle for less than my best?
I asked myself this question and sighed. Why do I always do the easy thing?
I’m always making excuses for doing less than my best. Or maybe I do the ‘bare minimum’.
Here's something you may never thought of, perhaps it's a new twist for you, but it sure changed my entire perspective on things.
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children;” - Ephesians 5:1-2
How can we be imitators of Christ when we’re doing everything halfway? He doesn’t do things halfway.
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31
It doesn’t shed a very good light on Christ. We need to glorify God in everything we do. No matter if it’s as big as applying for college, or just doing the dishes - we need to do everything for Him.
If you’re like me, you realize this is something you need to work on, but maybe you struggle with knowing how to put it into practice.
Here are five practical things you can do today to glorify God with everything you have.
1. Read God’s word and talk to Him daily.
This tip, although obvious, is the most important of them all.
The word of God is fuel.
If you’re spending all day running on empty, then you’ll never be able to glorify God. Yet, so often, that’s what we do. We forsake reading the Bible and talking to God for other diversions like our phones. No wonder we do lots of things halfway, because we lack the nourishment to do anything else.
Each day start with a time of prayer and reading. Dig deep into His Word and see what He has to say about your life. See what He has to say about you. Ask God to help you see places where you aren’t doing your best to glorify God and ask Him to help you correct them.
2. Make a list - love lists.
The check in the box gives me satisfaction and makes me feel like I have actually accomplished something in a day. This is a really helpful tool that helps me pursue excellence.
Make a list of things you need to get done in one day, whether that be school, work, or hobbies. Then, make a time limit of how much time you should spend on each thing.
If you’re a student going to school, make sure you’ve got space in your day to do your homework. It might not seem particularly ‘Godly’ but working hard on your science project is what God wants you to do in that moment. Make a list to help you keep track of your time and to help you to glorify God in everything you do, whether it be school or chores.
3. Ask for accountability
Life is lived in community, so we shouldn’t be trying to go solo.
My parents often remind me if I’m slacking in an area, and I am thankful for that. But something that I have found particularly helpful is accountability from my friends.
I have recently started an accountability group with a friend, and it has already helped me tremendously. I have asked her to point out any ways she sees me slacking, and also recruited her to ask how I have been doing in certain areas. One of those areas I ask her to help me with is giving glory to God.
Find a good friend, family member, or even mentor and ask them if you both could partner and keep each other accountable. Maybe it will help you remember to glorify God in every area of your walk.
4. Memorize verses Memorizing scripture can be hard.
And, it can be an anchor in a stormy sea.
God has used scripture in my life when dealing with anxiety, temptation and even anger. Memorizing it can help for His truth to sink into your heart and penetrate your mind. Then, in times of need, He will bring it up to show you what you should do, and to remind you of His love. Maybe memorize the verses above. (Ephesians 5:1-2) and (1 Corinthians 10:31)
5. Show yourself grace
Remember to show yourself grace. You aren’t going to do everything right the first time (or maybe even the second or third). And we must try to do our best and glorify God, but we also must allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.
All things will be made new. Right now, this world is corrupt, full of sin. There’s evil everywhere. We sin all the time. But God promises that one day there will be a new earth and we will be renewed.
Right now, you won’t achieve perfection, but you can pursue excellence.
But we must try and never give up. Keep striving to live for Him and to glorify Him! It’s hard, but we will see the results of it one day.
The Patch can set you up with an accountability partner. Just contact us. Free, totally confidential.
In Christ… accepted, not rejected
You need to know what God’s love means for you. It means first of all, that God wants you. He wants you. He is after you. If there are people this doesn’t apply to, I don’t believe you would be reading this right now. Very, very few living people have been given up completely to their sin by God. If you have any desire for God or truth or life at all, this is not you. So, to repeat: God wants you. He wants you so badly. He wants you for Himself. He wants you to be connected with Him. He wants to put His Spirit in you. He wants to get you out of the hands of the devil. He doesn’t want you to perish. He would take no pleasure in you losing your eternal soul. While you are alive, while you are reading this, God wants to rescue you out of all wretchedness, sin, guilt, misery, shame, demonic torment – He wants you out of it all. He loves you. He wants His Spirit in you. He devised a way to cleanse you of everything that could ever separate you from His love. That way was to send His Son Jesus to pay the ultimate price – to take the bullet for you – to pay off the devil – to satisfy the claims of justice against you, to set you free. This is what Jesus did when he went to the cross. God the Father gave up his Son for you. The Son of God, Jesus, gave up His life for you. That is how much God loves you. Whatever suffering would be necessary to save you – it was a price God was willing to pay – just for you. This is what the love of God means.
If you have already turned to God, and away from your sin; if you have already rejected your rebellious posture towards God – then you are doubly loved! You can say with confidence that because of the blood of Jesus, you are now actually someone God takes pleasure in. You are someone God delights in. You are not just accepted – you are treasured. Treasured by God.
Loving the unlovable
Hurt? bullied? rejected?
Jesus revolutionized love. He showed us that to love we often have to disregard personal comfort and convenience. Jesus demonstrated love to the fullest, putting it into action even when it was really painful.
No one forced Jesus to leave heaven and come to earth. But His love compelled him. He didn’t want to just stand by and watch the world suffer. He volunteered for the rescue mission. He chose to experience suffering to show us what love really looks like. In the words of the Message, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14a)
The Son possessed more than anyone else in the entire universe, but He left it behind to grow up as one of us and experience our pain. And how did the world thank Him? A few welcomed Him as savior, but most ridiculed Him and rejoiced in His brutal murder.
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8)
How does our love compare? Do we cling to comfort, or do we willingly give it up to help those in need? Do we readily forgive others, or is it a bit like pulling teeth? I know I need a whole lot of help to love like that. I look at the perfect, selfless love of Jesus and feel like a total failure. I could say, “Hey, look, I’m no Jesus; God doesn’t expect that kind of love to come from me!” Or does He?
Here’s the kicker. I’m not off the hook. Jesus actually commands us to love one another: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34) Jesus also said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27) OK, so I am called to love others, to forget about my own comfort and convenience and reach out to those I don’t really like, even to those who might hate me.
Sounds impossible! Well, that’s because it is. This kind of love isn’t going to flow naturally from our hearts. There isn't an 'on' switch we can just flick. This love is not from this world. That’s why Jesus entered our world. He knew we needed to be freed from sin in order to love.
So what hope do we have of growing in this kind of love? The key is faith. We can only love this way through trusting in the one who embodied love. Think about that difficult person you butt heads with at work or at school, or that rough individual you feel God is calling you to reach out to, or someone in your family with whom you have a broken or rocky relationship. Would you dare to trust God to show you how to love that person?
Here are 5 steps to loving by faith:
Remember how much Jesus loves you. Read through the stories of His crucifixion and regain that sense of awe at all He gave up to secure your freedom.
Confess the limitations of your own love. Jesus knew none of us would measure up. That’s why He sent His Spirit to nurture His love in our hearts.
Surrender the difficult relationship to Him. Place the person’s negative responses to you in His hands. Ask Him to heal any emotional scarring you have from this person.
Ask Him to teach you how to love. You don’t have what it takes, but He does. Trust that He will give you the words to say in times of conflict, and that He will show you what actions you can do to demonstrate true love.
Choose love. When pain and frustrations with this person surface, you need to choose to bless and not curse, to sacrifice your time and energy and not just retreat for self-preservation.
As you take these steps, your attitude will begin to change. You will be amazed at the transformation that will take place in your heart through faith. Love—the real Jesus kind of love—will be taking root in you. When you put yourself in the place of total dependence on His power to help you love, He always proves Himself faithful. His Spirit will speak to your heart and teach you what it means to love even when it’s painful. He will give you the strength to love as He commanded. And the joy it will bring will be out-of-this-world—literally, cause it all started when Jesus loved us so much that He moved into the neighborhood.
Hurt? bullied? rejected?
Jesus revolutionized love. He showed us that to love we often have to disregard personal comfort and convenience. Jesus demonstrated love to the fullest, putting it into action even when it was really painful.
No one forced Jesus to leave heaven and come to earth. But His love compelled him. He didn’t want to just stand by and watch the world suffer. He volunteered for the rescue mission. He chose to experience suffering to show us what love really looks like. In the words of the Message, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14a)
The Son possessed more than anyone else in the entire universe, but He left it behind to grow up as one of us and experience our pain. And how did the world thank Him? A few welcomed Him as savior, but most ridiculed Him and rejoiced in His brutal murder.
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8)
How does our love compare? Do we cling to comfort, or do we willingly give it up to help those in need? Do we readily forgive others, or is it a bit like pulling teeth? I know I need a whole lot of help to love like that. I look at the perfect, selfless love of Jesus and feel like a total failure. I could say, “Hey, look, I’m no Jesus; God doesn’t expect that kind of love to come from me!” Or does He?
Here’s the kicker. I’m not off the hook. Jesus actually commands us to love one another: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34) Jesus also said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27) OK, so I am called to love others, to forget about my own comfort and convenience and reach out to those I don’t really like, even to those who might hate me.
Sounds impossible! Well, that’s because it is. This kind of love isn’t going to flow naturally from our hearts. There isn't an 'on' switch we can just flick. This love is not from this world. That’s why Jesus entered our world. He knew we needed to be freed from sin in order to love.
So what hope do we have of growing in this kind of love? The key is faith. We can only love this way through trusting in the one who embodied love. Think about that difficult person you butt heads with at work or at school, or that rough individual you feel God is calling you to reach out to, or someone in your family with whom you have a broken or rocky relationship. Would you dare to trust God to show you how to love that person?
Here are 5 steps to loving by faith:
Remember how much Jesus loves you. Read through the stories of His crucifixion and regain that sense of awe at all He gave up to secure your freedom.
Confess the limitations of your own love. Jesus knew none of us would measure up. That’s why He sent His Spirit to nurture His love in our hearts.
Surrender the difficult relationship to Him. Place the person’s negative responses to you in His hands. Ask Him to heal any emotional scarring you have from this person.
Ask Him to teach you how to love. You don’t have what it takes, but He does. Trust that He will give you the words to say in times of conflict, and that He will show you what actions you can do to demonstrate true love.
Choose love. When pain and frustrations with this person surface, you need to choose to bless and not curse, to sacrifice your time and energy and not just retreat for self-preservation.
As you take these steps, your attitude will begin to change. You will be amazed at the transformation that will take place in your heart through faith. Love—the real Jesus kind of love—will be taking root in you. When you put yourself in the place of total dependence on His power to help you love, He always proves Himself faithful. His Spirit will speak to your heart and teach you what it means to love even when it’s painful. He will give you the strength to love as He commanded. And the joy it will bring will be out-of-this-world—literally, cause it all started when Jesus loved us so much that He moved into the neighborhood.
"Journal it"
Journaling is something I used to do all the time. I used to love having a place to jot down all my thoughts, feelings, fears and even the things God showed me in the Bible. I stopped a few years back because I had a friend who read my journal and made fun of me based on some of the stuff they found.
A few months ago, I was given a new journal and began to realize how powerful journaling is. So, I came up with a list of three reasons why you should start journaling if you haven’t.
It’s Biblical. Yep, you read that right, journaling something that the Bible talks about, well sort of.
The LORD answered me: Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it. – Habakkuk 2:2 (Holman)
The Bible talks in this verse about writing it down. If God is speaking something to your heart, write it down. If you like writing songs about what God has done for you, write it down. If you have God inspired plans and goals, write them down. There’s power in writing things down, that’s why we’re challenged in the Bible to write them down.
It Marks Your Progress. Many times in the Bible, after God did something big in a person’s life, they would create a memorial to remember where they had been. They did this because it’s so easy to forget where you came out of. We get caught up in what’s going on right now in our lives and forget the progress we’ve made.
People might think you were a little crazy if you started creating a giant monument made of stones in your backyard, but journaling can be a monument of sorts for you. You can look back in your journal and realize the progress you’ve made to this point.
It makes goal setting more effective. It’s easy to make goals and forget about them. You might want to practice your guitar 20 minutes a day. But three weeks from now, will you have forgotten about the goal you created? Journaling helps with this.
When you see what you’ve written down weeks before, it reminds you
Whether you’ve never thought about journaling, or if you’re a journaling expert, it’s good to be reminded of how powerful journaling can be. Begin to record your thoughts, feelings, and the stuff God shows you from His word. You’ll be encouraged with how powerful journaling can be!
“End the payback”
1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
One of the hardest things about offering forgiveness to others is that as humans, we usually want revenge. We want the other people to hurt like we did. We want them to feel guilty and ashamed of themselves for what they’ve done. And then, after they have suffered to our satisfaction, we can show them mercy and forgiveness.
Even if somebody just calls us a name, we usually feel better if we call them a name back—especially if it’s a nastier, more creative name.
But where does it end? What happens when the other person gets you back for your vengeance? What happens when the name calling leads to something worse?
Somebody has to say, “Stop! enough already.” And Jesus says that “somebody” is you. Moreover, Jesus wants you to put a stop to it immediately—not just before it’s about to get out of hand.
It’s hard to fight the urge to respond negatively to someone who’s giving you a rough time. But that’s what Jesus meant when he told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Being able to do that is what sets us apart as Christians.
Memorize this Bible verse. Think about it the next time you are trying to decide how to respond to somebody who has hurt you.
Victory in the crisis
We’ve all been there. Life seems to be going ok then…. WHAM!!! everything seems to come apart at the seams. Nothing is going according to plan, it’s all crashing down around you and you find yourself in full crisis mode.
What gets you through the hard times?
REMEMBERING THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL
I love the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1–14). Just when Abraham and Sarah finally had their long-awaited son, Isaac, God told Abraham to climb a mountain and to kill Isaac as a sacrifice. This command was so unimaginable that Abraham probably thought he had heard it wrong. Maybe he asked, “You want me to do what?”
At the last moment, just as Abraham was raising the knife to kill his son, God provided a different sacrifice: a ram caught in the bushes.
Sometimes our lives seem hopeless. Family members lose jobs. We move to a new house or a new city to look for a new start. We wonder if God is ever coming to our rescue.
In hard times, we may struggle to remember that God is always faithful. God’s plans may be different from ours. Like Abraham, we may not understand what God is asking of us. But in our most desperate moments, let’s hold on to our faith, remembering that God is with us and will provide exactly what we need.
BEING CONTENT, DEPENDING ON GOD, SHARING WITH OTHERS
I am learning to be content in all circumstances. I am depending on God for my true needs and letting go of my wants. I am learning to manage more carefully the resources God has given me and to share what I have. All around us, families who have never been in need are waking up to empty pantries and wearing worn-out shoes. The economic crisis is an opportunity for us to share the love of Christ and everything that God has given us.
FOCUSING ON TRUE WEALTH
I take comfort in the ways I am truly wealthy. I have a lot of good friends. I have parents who love me. I have a college education that has broadened my view of the world and my place in it. I have a job that pays moderately well, and I have hobbies that I pursue passionately. Most of all, I have the love of Jesus Christ and the promise of salvation. I have the security of knowing that Jesus loves me despite my flaws and that he will always be there for me when I need comfort and guidance. Money cannot buy the things that are truly important in life.
CHERISHING THE GIFT MONEY CANNOT BUY
What carries my family through this struggle is remembering that as Christians, we put our faith in God, not money. Trusting in God to provide remains my family’s biggest source of strength and gives us peace that cannot be bought. Our faith puts money in perspective by reminding us that the greatest gift we will ever receive is free.
God is in control. Regardless of your situation or circumstance – Honor and trust HIM.
We’ve all been there. Life seems to be going ok then…. WHAM!!! everything seems to come apart at the seams. Nothing is going according to plan, it’s all crashing down around you and you find yourself in full crisis mode.
What gets you through the hard times?
REMEMBERING THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL
I love the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1–14). Just when Abraham and Sarah finally had their long-awaited son, Isaac, God told Abraham to climb a mountain and to kill Isaac as a sacrifice. This command was so unimaginable that Abraham probably thought he had heard it wrong. Maybe he asked, “You want me to do what?”
At the last moment, just as Abraham was raising the knife to kill his son, God provided a different sacrifice: a ram caught in the bushes.
Sometimes our lives seem hopeless. Family members lose jobs. We move to a new house or a new city to look for a new start. We wonder if God is ever coming to our rescue.
In hard times, we may struggle to remember that God is always faithful. God’s plans may be different from ours. Like Abraham, we may not understand what God is asking of us. But in our most desperate moments, let’s hold on to our faith, remembering that God is with us and will provide exactly what we need.
BEING CONTENT, DEPENDING ON GOD, SHARING WITH OTHERS
I am learning to be content in all circumstances. I am depending on God for my true needs and letting go of my wants. I am learning to manage more carefully the resources God has given me and to share what I have. All around us, families who have never been in need are waking up to empty pantries and wearing worn-out shoes. The economic crisis is an opportunity for us to share the love of Christ and everything that God has given us.
FOCUSING ON TRUE WEALTH
I take comfort in the ways I am truly wealthy. I have a lot of good friends. I have parents who love me. I have a college education that has broadened my view of the world and my place in it. I have a job that pays moderately well, and I have hobbies that I pursue passionately. Most of all, I have the love of Jesus Christ and the promise of salvation. I have the security of knowing that Jesus loves me despite my flaws and that he will always be there for me when I need comfort and guidance. Money cannot buy the things that are truly important in life.
CHERISHING THE GIFT MONEY CANNOT BUY
What carries my family through this struggle is remembering that as Christians, we put our faith in God, not money. Trusting in God to provide remains my family’s biggest source of strength and gives us peace that cannot be bought. Our faith puts money in perspective by reminding us that the greatest gift we will ever receive is free.
God is in control. Regardless of your situation or circumstance – Honor and trust HIM.
If God forgives, why do I still feel guilty?
Ok, so you’ve asked God to forgive you for something wrong – you really messed up. But you still feel guilty. You want the joy back that you first experienced when you first became a Christian. Why do you still feel guilty?
Well, even if you understand what guilt is, you need to fully grasp the greatness of God’s forgiveness. I want you to understand that when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, God promised that He would never stop forgiving you, no matter what you do wrong.
But don’t take my word. Look at God’s words in 1 John 1:7,
“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
That means God continues to purify us even while we are trying, as you are, to live the Christian life. He does that through the blood of Jesus Christ, the blood which saved you.
But you must also remember, that while God wants you to know you are forgiven, Satan wants you to feel guilty. Satan, the prince of darkness, knows your feelings of guilt keep you (in your mind) separated from God.
The Book of Revelation calls Satan the deceiver of the whole world. And in Revelation 12:10, he is called the “accuser of our brothers.” However, while Satan tries to accuse you and make you feel guilty, God declares that you are as pure as Jesus Christ. God said that we are completely forgiven because Jesus paid the penalty for our sins when He died on the cross.
“He has done this through the death on the cross of His own human body, and now as a result Christ has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are standing before Him with nothing left against you—nothing left that He could even chide you for” (Col 1:22, TLB).
So, you see, God has done a truly awesome thing. Because you have believed in Christ and accepted what He did for you, God sees you as completely pure and holy, without any faults. And finally, a lot of what you believe about yourself and about God is based on your feelings are easily changed. The weather can affect your feelings.
But nothing can change the facts in God’s Word. And there is where you have to put your faith—in the facts revealed in the Bible and not in your feelings.
So, when you have feelings of guilt when there’s no basis for that guilt, go back to the facts. Those facts tell you that you are loved by God, completely pure and holy through Jesus Christ and constantly cleansed by the Heavenly Father. Bank on those facts,
"Alone"
Deciding to follow Jesus is the best thing you’ll ever do. Whether you’re 11 or 111, Jesus will always be Lord and is always worth trusting.
However, some days you might feel a bit like a lone island in the Pacific; you’re trying to follow Jesus, but you feel like you're doing it all by yourself. Everyone else is off doing something else.
Finding other Christians can sometimes be like finding a needle in a haystack. Some of us can’t find them at all.
It isn’t always easy feeling like the lone ranger, but there is hope. So, let’s be real: what do you do if you don’t have any Christian friends?
Watch Christian YouTube videos,Pastors, youth leaders, and teen articles love to go on about accountability and the advice that only a Christian friend can give you. Now, that’s great. Some of us just don’t have that option.
My best advice in a situation like this would be to really educate yourself about your faith. Watch online sermons, listen to Christian YouTubers, and read tons of articles concerning Christian life.
If the roots of your faith go deep, it will become all the more difficult for you to compromise and to be swayed by other people’s opinions.
Exposing yourself to an online community of Christians is also a great idea. You’ll soon realize that you’re not the only one trying to scale a mountain of faith in a world that’s trying to lure you into the valleys. Community is important, work hard to make it good.
Be grateful for everything that you do have
Out of all the four corners of the earth, God gave you your special place in the world. I get to spend my days in the sticks of the African bush. You might find your place in the world someplace entirely different.
Wherever it is, just know this: God gave you everything you need to live a full life. Lift your eyes up and look around; there is good in the world around you.
I might not have a buzzing social life, but when I look out of my window each morning, there are these absolutely gorgeous mountains towering in the distance.
Sometimes that mountain range is the only thing willing me to get out of bed in the mornings. I bet that you’re not too far from a different kind of beauty. Get up, take a walk, and experience the world around you.
Being grateful for what you do have will help you focus less on what you don’t have.
Never compromise, but always be kind
Trying to be part of a crowd can be a dangerous game. If you’re not careful, you could end up falling into the same patterns of sin as some of the people around you. Negativity, gossip, and profanity are raging wildfires; don’t get caught up in their flames.
With that said, the people around you are made in the image of God. They might not believe in the same things as you, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have hopes, fears, and dreams. They’re people, and they’re worth getting to know.
The story behind a person can reveal a lot about them. God knows them. He knows why they are the way they are. You might not have insight into their lives, but it takes nothing to show them kindness.
You were never called to isolate yourself from the world. You were called to be in it but not part of it. You were called to be a light in the darkness and a source of compassion for the broken hearted.
Remember that God loves you and that he’s always enough
You might not have a Christian community, but what you do have is a mission field.
The world is filled with hurting people that are trying their best to act strong.
Let God take care of you while you take care of them. He loves you, and he’s the best friend you’ll ever find.
Bottom line - you aren't alone after all ! :)
Deciding to follow Jesus is the best thing you’ll ever do. Whether you’re 11 or 111, Jesus will always be Lord and is always worth trusting.
However, some days you might feel a bit like a lone island in the Pacific; you’re trying to follow Jesus, but you feel like you're doing it all by yourself. Everyone else is off doing something else.
Finding other Christians can sometimes be like finding a needle in a haystack. Some of us can’t find them at all.
It isn’t always easy feeling like the lone ranger, but there is hope. So, let’s be real: what do you do if you don’t have any Christian friends?
Watch Christian YouTube videos,Pastors, youth leaders, and teen articles love to go on about accountability and the advice that only a Christian friend can give you. Now, that’s great. Some of us just don’t have that option.
My best advice in a situation like this would be to really educate yourself about your faith. Watch online sermons, listen to Christian YouTubers, and read tons of articles concerning Christian life.
If the roots of your faith go deep, it will become all the more difficult for you to compromise and to be swayed by other people’s opinions.
Exposing yourself to an online community of Christians is also a great idea. You’ll soon realize that you’re not the only one trying to scale a mountain of faith in a world that’s trying to lure you into the valleys. Community is important, work hard to make it good.
Be grateful for everything that you do have
Out of all the four corners of the earth, God gave you your special place in the world. I get to spend my days in the sticks of the African bush. You might find your place in the world someplace entirely different.
Wherever it is, just know this: God gave you everything you need to live a full life. Lift your eyes up and look around; there is good in the world around you.
I might not have a buzzing social life, but when I look out of my window each morning, there are these absolutely gorgeous mountains towering in the distance.
Sometimes that mountain range is the only thing willing me to get out of bed in the mornings. I bet that you’re not too far from a different kind of beauty. Get up, take a walk, and experience the world around you.
Being grateful for what you do have will help you focus less on what you don’t have.
Never compromise, but always be kind
Trying to be part of a crowd can be a dangerous game. If you’re not careful, you could end up falling into the same patterns of sin as some of the people around you. Negativity, gossip, and profanity are raging wildfires; don’t get caught up in their flames.
With that said, the people around you are made in the image of God. They might not believe in the same things as you, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have hopes, fears, and dreams. They’re people, and they’re worth getting to know.
The story behind a person can reveal a lot about them. God knows them. He knows why they are the way they are. You might not have insight into their lives, but it takes nothing to show them kindness.
You were never called to isolate yourself from the world. You were called to be in it but not part of it. You were called to be a light in the darkness and a source of compassion for the broken hearted.
Remember that God loves you and that he’s always enough
You might not have a Christian community, but what you do have is a mission field.
The world is filled with hurting people that are trying their best to act strong.
Let God take care of you while you take care of them. He loves you, and he’s the best friend you’ll ever find.
Bottom line - you aren't alone after all ! :)
Transformation
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
Romans 12:2
If only spiritual transformation were that easy. Just read a book, see a counselor, attend a conference, make a fresh commitment, resolve to be different, shed a few tears at an altar, memorize a few verses...and, presto, out comes a mature, godly Christian.
To the contrary, the experience of many believers looks like this:
Commit. Fail. Confess.
Re-commit. Fail again. Confess again.
Re-re-commit. Fail again. Give up.
After all the struggle and the effort, we tend to want a "quick fix" — a book, a conference, a counselor, an encounter, a miraculous deliverance, a program — something that will be effective and preferably pain-free. We want God (or someone else) to do something to us for a once-for-all victory so that we won't have to keep wrestling with the same old issues.
The behavior and customs of this world are usually selfish and corrupting. Our refusal to conform to the world has to go much deeper than the level of behavior and customs - it has to be founded in our minds and in our hearts.
In my own walk with God, I have discovered some helpful principles about how spiritual change takes place.
1. Deep, lasting spiritual change is a process It rarely happens overnight. It involves training, testing and time. There are no shortcuts. We hear of people being dramatically delivered from drug or alcohol addiction, and we may wonder, "Why doesn't God do that for me? Why do I have to struggle with this food addiction, with lust, worry, and fear, with an unbridled tongue?"
2. Spiritual change requires desire We need to ask ourselves: Do I really want to change, or am I content to remain as I am? How important is it to me to be like Jesus? What price am I willing to pay to be godly?
3. Spiritual change flows out of an intimate relationship with Jesus We want to please those we love, and we are grieved when we offend them. The more we love Jesus, the greater will be our motivation to obey Him and to make the choices that please Him. The ultimate issue in life is what or whom we worship. The process of true change takes place as we are weaned from our love and worship of self, pleasure and this world; and our hearts become wholly devoted to Christ.
>4. Spiritual change requires discipline I can remember as a college student sitting for hours on end in tiny, windowless practice rooms, playing the same piece of music again and again. I knew that I never would reach my goal — to make beautiful music — without that rigorous discipline.
5. Spiritual change is brought about by the Holy Spirit, as we exercise faith and obedience So which is it? Does God do the work, or do we? According to Scripture, the answer is "yes." Philippians 2:12-13 says, "Work out your salvation...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." True spiritual change is initiated and enabled by the indwelling Spirit of God; it is all of grace, which we receive as we persevere in humility, obedience and faith.
6. Spiritual change is possible (and assured) because of the new life we received when we were born again According to God's Word, at the point of regeneration we became, "a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). For believers, holy living is not a matter of trying harder, but rather of walking in the reality of a supernatural change that already has taken place. Sanctification is the process by which the change of God has wrought within us is worked out in our daily experience, as we "are being transformed into [Christ's] likeness" (2 Corinthians 3:18). It is a lifelong — and sometimes painful — process. But we have the confidence that one day the transformation will be complete, and, "we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2).
Make your choice today - dare to go against the flow. Don't conform, but follow the way of the Cross.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
Romans 12:2
If only spiritual transformation were that easy. Just read a book, see a counselor, attend a conference, make a fresh commitment, resolve to be different, shed a few tears at an altar, memorize a few verses...and, presto, out comes a mature, godly Christian.
To the contrary, the experience of many believers looks like this:
Commit. Fail. Confess.
Re-commit. Fail again. Confess again.
Re-re-commit. Fail again. Give up.
After all the struggle and the effort, we tend to want a "quick fix" — a book, a conference, a counselor, an encounter, a miraculous deliverance, a program — something that will be effective and preferably pain-free. We want God (or someone else) to do something to us for a once-for-all victory so that we won't have to keep wrestling with the same old issues.
The behavior and customs of this world are usually selfish and corrupting. Our refusal to conform to the world has to go much deeper than the level of behavior and customs - it has to be founded in our minds and in our hearts.
In my own walk with God, I have discovered some helpful principles about how spiritual change takes place.
1. Deep, lasting spiritual change is a process It rarely happens overnight. It involves training, testing and time. There are no shortcuts. We hear of people being dramatically delivered from drug or alcohol addiction, and we may wonder, "Why doesn't God do that for me? Why do I have to struggle with this food addiction, with lust, worry, and fear, with an unbridled tongue?"
2. Spiritual change requires desire We need to ask ourselves: Do I really want to change, or am I content to remain as I am? How important is it to me to be like Jesus? What price am I willing to pay to be godly?
3. Spiritual change flows out of an intimate relationship with Jesus We want to please those we love, and we are grieved when we offend them. The more we love Jesus, the greater will be our motivation to obey Him and to make the choices that please Him. The ultimate issue in life is what or whom we worship. The process of true change takes place as we are weaned from our love and worship of self, pleasure and this world; and our hearts become wholly devoted to Christ.
>4. Spiritual change requires discipline I can remember as a college student sitting for hours on end in tiny, windowless practice rooms, playing the same piece of music again and again. I knew that I never would reach my goal — to make beautiful music — without that rigorous discipline.
5. Spiritual change is brought about by the Holy Spirit, as we exercise faith and obedience So which is it? Does God do the work, or do we? According to Scripture, the answer is "yes." Philippians 2:12-13 says, "Work out your salvation...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." True spiritual change is initiated and enabled by the indwelling Spirit of God; it is all of grace, which we receive as we persevere in humility, obedience and faith.
6. Spiritual change is possible (and assured) because of the new life we received when we were born again According to God's Word, at the point of regeneration we became, "a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). For believers, holy living is not a matter of trying harder, but rather of walking in the reality of a supernatural change that already has taken place. Sanctification is the process by which the change of God has wrought within us is worked out in our daily experience, as we "are being transformed into [Christ's] likeness" (2 Corinthians 3:18). It is a lifelong — and sometimes painful — process. But we have the confidence that one day the transformation will be complete, and, "we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2).
Make your choice today - dare to go against the flow. Don't conform, but follow the way of the Cross.
Quiet your heart
Imagine what God would do in our hearts and minds if we were focused that intently on his Word. Meditating on it is one of the ways God speaks to us, and it’s mentioned throughout Scripture. The first person we find meditating is Isaac, all the way back in Genesis 24:63.
And yet meditating on God’s Word is a skill lost to many Christians today. Perhaps you’ve considered it, but felt a little intimidated or didn’t know where to begin. Let me take some of the mystery out of it for you.
The word meditate simply means “to think intently and at length, as to spiritual purposes.” One simple way to meditate on Scripture is to write down or memorize a short passage, even one verse, and then find a quiet place where you can focus on it for a while. I always like to begin my time with a brief prayer: I ask the Holy Spirit to help me understand the verse and how he wants to apply it to my life. Then meditating is simply a matter of gently returning my mind to the verse each time it begins to wander. Slowly, the Holy Spirit works in me to help me understand the passage.
I also find it helpful to keep a journal and pen nearby to jot down what I’ve discovered. As a matter of fact, journaling Scripture—writing it out and then recording your observations—can be a form of scriptural meditation all its own.
Another way we can practice Christian meditation is to purposely quiet our hearts before the Lord in silent prayer. If you are new to this, you might find it challenging at first, but be patient with yourself. Begin by finding a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. Then give yourself permission to put everything aside for just a few minutes—your worries, to-do lists, whatever you need to do next—and be silent before God.
You might find it easier to keep your mind on God if you repeat to yourself a simple truth such as “God loves me” or “I belong to Jesus.” Or you can also try repeating a simple prayer like “Christ, have mercy” or “Jesus, fill me with your love.”
If your mind wanders, don’t beat yourself up. Just gently bring your heart and mind back to Jesus.
It’s important to simply enjoy the process. Really let yourself slow down for a few minutes and wait for what God wants to show you. Who knows? Perhaps the fruit of your meditation will come to you in a dream.
One thing I do know, God can’t wait to talk with you. He’s waiting there for you always… with love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1–2
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Psalm 48:9
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. Psalm 119:99
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. Psalm 119:148
Tune out the world and quiet your heart before God today. :)
Imagine what God would do in our hearts and minds if we were focused that intently on his Word. Meditating on it is one of the ways God speaks to us, and it’s mentioned throughout Scripture. The first person we find meditating is Isaac, all the way back in Genesis 24:63.
And yet meditating on God’s Word is a skill lost to many Christians today. Perhaps you’ve considered it, but felt a little intimidated or didn’t know where to begin. Let me take some of the mystery out of it for you.
The word meditate simply means “to think intently and at length, as to spiritual purposes.” One simple way to meditate on Scripture is to write down or memorize a short passage, even one verse, and then find a quiet place where you can focus on it for a while. I always like to begin my time with a brief prayer: I ask the Holy Spirit to help me understand the verse and how he wants to apply it to my life. Then meditating is simply a matter of gently returning my mind to the verse each time it begins to wander. Slowly, the Holy Spirit works in me to help me understand the passage.
I also find it helpful to keep a journal and pen nearby to jot down what I’ve discovered. As a matter of fact, journaling Scripture—writing it out and then recording your observations—can be a form of scriptural meditation all its own.
Another way we can practice Christian meditation is to purposely quiet our hearts before the Lord in silent prayer. If you are new to this, you might find it challenging at first, but be patient with yourself. Begin by finding a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. Then give yourself permission to put everything aside for just a few minutes—your worries, to-do lists, whatever you need to do next—and be silent before God.
You might find it easier to keep your mind on God if you repeat to yourself a simple truth such as “God loves me” or “I belong to Jesus.” Or you can also try repeating a simple prayer like “Christ, have mercy” or “Jesus, fill me with your love.”
If your mind wanders, don’t beat yourself up. Just gently bring your heart and mind back to Jesus.
It’s important to simply enjoy the process. Really let yourself slow down for a few minutes and wait for what God wants to show you. Who knows? Perhaps the fruit of your meditation will come to you in a dream.
One thing I do know, God can’t wait to talk with you. He’s waiting there for you always… with love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1–2
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Psalm 48:9
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. Psalm 119:99
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. Psalm 119:148
Tune out the world and quiet your heart before God today. :)
Waiting to be found
Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living.
- Luke 15:13
Lost things—and lost people—don’t always know they’re lost. Sheep don’t know they’re lost, but the shepherd does. A lost coin doesn’t know it’s lost, but its owner does. The prodigal son didn’t think he was lost. He thought he was living it up and enjoying the adventure of a lifetime, but if you had asked his father, he would have said, “My son is lost.” Where was the father when his son was lost? Some would argue that he never left home; he never went after his boy. But I believe that not a day went by that the father’s heart and mind were not with his younger son. Day after day, hour after hour, the father suffered the anguish and emptiness of being separated from his son.
Can you relate to the pain of being physically separated from a loved one? The spouse of a loved-one deployed in a foreign country, goes to that country in their thoughts a thousand times a day. The parent of a sick child fights the disease just as surely as their child does – feeling every pain and setback.
The father’s heart for his lost son is a picture of the supernatural love of God for us. And here is what is amazing about our loving God: He sent His Son to rescue us – to pay the penalty for our sin on the cross and to restore us to a right relationship with the Father. Talk about an incredible, relentless love!
Are you lost? Maybe you haven’t realized it before, but God does. He’s offering you this redemptive love and reconciliation through the life, death and resurrection of His only Son. Please don’t let another day go by without embracing the supernatural love of God. Jesus came to save us from our own self-destruction and lost-ness. Isn’t it time you let Him bring you home?
Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living.
- Luke 15:13
Lost things—and lost people—don’t always know they’re lost. Sheep don’t know they’re lost, but the shepherd does. A lost coin doesn’t know it’s lost, but its owner does. The prodigal son didn’t think he was lost. He thought he was living it up and enjoying the adventure of a lifetime, but if you had asked his father, he would have said, “My son is lost.” Where was the father when his son was lost? Some would argue that he never left home; he never went after his boy. But I believe that not a day went by that the father’s heart and mind were not with his younger son. Day after day, hour after hour, the father suffered the anguish and emptiness of being separated from his son.
Can you relate to the pain of being physically separated from a loved one? The spouse of a loved-one deployed in a foreign country, goes to that country in their thoughts a thousand times a day. The parent of a sick child fights the disease just as surely as their child does – feeling every pain and setback.
The father’s heart for his lost son is a picture of the supernatural love of God for us. And here is what is amazing about our loving God: He sent His Son to rescue us – to pay the penalty for our sin on the cross and to restore us to a right relationship with the Father. Talk about an incredible, relentless love!
Are you lost? Maybe you haven’t realized it before, but God does. He’s offering you this redemptive love and reconciliation through the life, death and resurrection of His only Son. Please don’t let another day go by without embracing the supernatural love of God. Jesus came to save us from our own self-destruction and lost-ness. Isn’t it time you let Him bring you home?
"God decisions"
Honestly? Many of us teens here have been through the exact same trials and temptations any other teen has experienced in their life like drugs, peer pressure, sex, music, parties
- "Ecclesiastes 1:9 ". You are not alone.
It is hard being a teen these days; so many decisions to make and so many choices in life - "Jeremiah 29:11". Questions like: 'What is my purpose in life?', 'What will happen when I die?' and 'Is life all about just having fun or is there something else to it?', tend to float around in our mind a lot. Have you had these thoughts as well?
See, God knew us before we were even born and He knew that we would have all these questions buzzing around in our heads. That is why He gave us the Bible to find out the answers to life - "Mark 8:36".
God also warns about the devil, our adversary, who is like ""a roaring lion...seeking whom he may devour"" - "1 Peter 5:8". The Bible says that Satan is out to destroy and that he is the deceiver of the whole world - "Revelation 12:9". There's a battle going on and God is fighting for you but the choice is yours to make of which path you will choose.
Whatever it is you are going through, the Lord can change the life you have, into a life filled with joy and the peace that you seek and the love you long for - "Galatians 5:22".
God knows you better than even your closest friends/parents and knew you before you were even born! - "Jeremiah 1:5"
He loves you and wants you to get to know Him - James 4:8
He has a purpose for your life! - Jeremiah 29:11.
“Praying with a gratitude attitude”
don’t know about you, but when I’m asking God for things, I get really specific. I get into the details and tell God what is happening in my life. I articulate how I need His help and sometimes overstep and offer Him options for what that help could look like.
And yet when I’m thanking God, I often speak in generalities. God, thank you for health, for protection. It’s an imbalance that I’m working on correcting.
There’s a line in one of my favorite Martyn Joseph songs that says, “There are days when I don’t see you, I miss every little sign.” There are times when that is true of my relationship with God. I know that He’s there. I’m glad that He’s there but I don’t note my blessings with the same fervor with which I list out my concerns. I don’t dwell on them the same way.
I’m thankful; I am. But it’s important to spend some time in that gratitude. Being thankful is a lot more for my benefit than for God’s. When I list out the ways God has loved me – saved me, redeemed me, made a way for me and forgiven me – it’s a reminder of the magnitude of His love. I need to hear that.
Hebrews 13:15 says, “Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
That word “acknowledge” is important when we’re thinking about gratitude. It means recognizing God’s hand at work, which in turn requires looking for the places where God’s hand is at work. It’s easy to go through the day focused on myself — what I am trying to accomplish, overcome or fix. A posture of gratitude turns my thoughts toward God and what He is doing. It reminds me that I am not alone.
Gratitude is all about paying attention. It’s a habit of noticing and responding to what God is doing. Incorporating gratitude into your prayer life takes practice. Get started today with one of these action steps.
1. START A GRATITUDE JOURNAL
This is not a new idea, but it has become a classic because it works. Grab a journal or an app and start actively noticing the things you are thankful for.
2. SPEND THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF EVERY PRAYER THIS WEEK IN THANKSGIVING
It’s pretty easy to do during devotions but it gets trickier when you’re in a rush and just need to ask God for something. Acknowledge first; then ask. The PRAY model (Praise-Repent-Ask-Yield) is a great way to start your prayer focused on what God has done.
3. STUDY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD
There are going to be days when your heart is breaking and it’s really hard to find something to be thankful for. On those days, focus on the character of God. Thank Him for His faithfulness. Thank Him for His promise to never leave you. Familiarize yourself with His character now so you’ll have the words to say when your heart is speechless.
What hit home for you in this article? What's the next step you feel God is asking you to take?
I would love to hear from you about your journey with God.
Email me at [email protected]
Blessings,
Pastor Glenn
don’t know about you, but when I’m asking God for things, I get really specific. I get into the details and tell God what is happening in my life. I articulate how I need His help and sometimes overstep and offer Him options for what that help could look like.
And yet when I’m thanking God, I often speak in generalities. God, thank you for health, for protection. It’s an imbalance that I’m working on correcting.
There’s a line in one of my favorite Martyn Joseph songs that says, “There are days when I don’t see you, I miss every little sign.” There are times when that is true of my relationship with God. I know that He’s there. I’m glad that He’s there but I don’t note my blessings with the same fervor with which I list out my concerns. I don’t dwell on them the same way.
I’m thankful; I am. But it’s important to spend some time in that gratitude. Being thankful is a lot more for my benefit than for God’s. When I list out the ways God has loved me – saved me, redeemed me, made a way for me and forgiven me – it’s a reminder of the magnitude of His love. I need to hear that.
Hebrews 13:15 says, “Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
That word “acknowledge” is important when we’re thinking about gratitude. It means recognizing God’s hand at work, which in turn requires looking for the places where God’s hand is at work. It’s easy to go through the day focused on myself — what I am trying to accomplish, overcome or fix. A posture of gratitude turns my thoughts toward God and what He is doing. It reminds me that I am not alone.
Gratitude is all about paying attention. It’s a habit of noticing and responding to what God is doing. Incorporating gratitude into your prayer life takes practice. Get started today with one of these action steps.
1. START A GRATITUDE JOURNAL
This is not a new idea, but it has become a classic because it works. Grab a journal or an app and start actively noticing the things you are thankful for.
2. SPEND THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF EVERY PRAYER THIS WEEK IN THANKSGIVING
It’s pretty easy to do during devotions but it gets trickier when you’re in a rush and just need to ask God for something. Acknowledge first; then ask. The PRAY model (Praise-Repent-Ask-Yield) is a great way to start your prayer focused on what God has done.
3. STUDY THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD
There are going to be days when your heart is breaking and it’s really hard to find something to be thankful for. On those days, focus on the character of God. Thank Him for His faithfulness. Thank Him for His promise to never leave you. Familiarize yourself with His character now so you’ll have the words to say when your heart is speechless.
What hit home for you in this article? What's the next step you feel God is asking you to take?
I would love to hear from you about your journey with God.
Email me at [email protected]
Blessings,
Pastor Glenn
Storefront Christians
As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him, and reflect His glory even more, (2 Cor 3:18).
I once dreamed of walking down the Main Street of a beautiful city. The storefronts along each side were filled with beautifully dressed mannequins, musical instruments, and other luxurious items.
It was a fantastic dream, until I decided to enter one of the stores for a closer look. To my surprise, when I opened the door there was nothing there, not even a floor, only what appeared to be a big, deep, dimly lit cellar, charred and black.
In shock, I quickly closed the door and stepped back out on the sidewalk, and there again was this beautiful storefront.
The point is that it is not what's on the outside, but the inside that counts with the Lord. What are our real intentions, where is our heart concerning our love and dedication to Him?
If not careful, we will find ourselves resembling that of storefront Christians; wherein on Sunday morning, our life reflects our faith in Jesus, and the rest of the week, a lifestyle resembling that of the world.
Sadly, the world recognizes a hypocrite. It has been said, "If you want to know how a Christian should act, ask a sinner." It is disappointing that this storefront Christian is probably the last person the unsaved will approach for Spiritual guidance.
A Christian is to look like Christ at all times. The Apostle Paul says: "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit," (2 Cor 3:18).
A new Christian is to put off the old self and put on the new. To put on the new man means to put on Christ, to attempt to live the way He did; to emulate Him, and to live according to His Word, (Col. 3:9-10).
The Christian walk is an ongoing, lifelong process that takes effort, patience, and concentration. It is our day in day out walk with the Lord that brings honor to Him, and that is our purpose.
We are to honor God in every aspect of our daily lives. As Christians, we represent Christ at all times. We are not only to tell others about Him, but also to exemplify Him in all our actions and speech.
We are to let God change our features so that we are more like Christ. As Jesus looked like the Father, we are to look like Jesus.
When we surrender ourselves to Him and allow Him to do what He wants in us, we are then imitating Christ - doing the will of the Father; trusting in Him, honoring Him, and loving Him with all our strength.
Our transformation, from storefront Christians into Christ-like people, begins in our relationship with Jesus.
Perhaps the most beautiful experience through all eternity is to be at one with and to share the loving intimacy of the Father and the Son.
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." (Col 3:1)
As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him, and reflect His glory even more, (2 Cor 3:18).
I once dreamed of walking down the Main Street of a beautiful city. The storefronts along each side were filled with beautifully dressed mannequins, musical instruments, and other luxurious items.
It was a fantastic dream, until I decided to enter one of the stores for a closer look. To my surprise, when I opened the door there was nothing there, not even a floor, only what appeared to be a big, deep, dimly lit cellar, charred and black.
In shock, I quickly closed the door and stepped back out on the sidewalk, and there again was this beautiful storefront.
The point is that it is not what's on the outside, but the inside that counts with the Lord. What are our real intentions, where is our heart concerning our love and dedication to Him?
If not careful, we will find ourselves resembling that of storefront Christians; wherein on Sunday morning, our life reflects our faith in Jesus, and the rest of the week, a lifestyle resembling that of the world.
Sadly, the world recognizes a hypocrite. It has been said, "If you want to know how a Christian should act, ask a sinner." It is disappointing that this storefront Christian is probably the last person the unsaved will approach for Spiritual guidance.
A Christian is to look like Christ at all times. The Apostle Paul says: "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit," (2 Cor 3:18).
A new Christian is to put off the old self and put on the new. To put on the new man means to put on Christ, to attempt to live the way He did; to emulate Him, and to live according to His Word, (Col. 3:9-10).
The Christian walk is an ongoing, lifelong process that takes effort, patience, and concentration. It is our day in day out walk with the Lord that brings honor to Him, and that is our purpose.
We are to honor God in every aspect of our daily lives. As Christians, we represent Christ at all times. We are not only to tell others about Him, but also to exemplify Him in all our actions and speech.
We are to let God change our features so that we are more like Christ. As Jesus looked like the Father, we are to look like Jesus.
When we surrender ourselves to Him and allow Him to do what He wants in us, we are then imitating Christ - doing the will of the Father; trusting in Him, honoring Him, and loving Him with all our strength.
Our transformation, from storefront Christians into Christ-like people, begins in our relationship with Jesus.
Perhaps the most beautiful experience through all eternity is to be at one with and to share the loving intimacy of the Father and the Son.
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." (Col 3:1)
Gratitude attitude
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Gratitude is a choice. It is a mindset and a mentality that is fueled by our perspective. Gratitude is an attitude of the heart. We have a saying in our family that goes like this: “You choose your attitude.” You cannot control many things in life but you can control your attitude! Are you living with a mindset of gratitude? Are you rejoicing in all things? Did you know it is God’s will that you learn what it means to give thanks in all things and live with a heart of gratitude? So, how do you know if you are living in gratitude? Here are some thoughts that might help you:
Do you see the power of God at work in the trials of life, or do you only see the challenges and trial?
God does some of His greatest work in our lives when we realize our need for Him. His power is most clearly on display when we trust Him with the things we can’t control. Are you focusing on the difficulties of life or do you consider it all joy, because you know God is at work? Please understand – this is not about a superficial smile, attempting to make it look like everything is okay. This is about the supernatural power of God working in our lives to show us more of His love and grace in ways that we never would have seen without the struggle. God uses the pain to draw us deeper into His love and grace … if we will trust Him. Let the struggle drive you to the truth!
Are you thankful for the blessings in your life, or are you bitter about the things that you don’t have?
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to miss out on the blessings in life because you are so focused on what you don’t have? Are you grateful for the things God has provided? It does not matter who you are or what your situation – every single one of us has reasons to be thankful. It is a choice. Will you choose to be grateful for what you have, or will you choose to allow the things you don’t have rob you of your joy?
Are you living a generous life, or are you trying to hold on to all you have?
The blessings of God have been given to you to be a blessing to others! God invites us into the process of blessing others because He knows that generosity provides us with some of the greatest joy we can find! A grateful heart chooses to give and live generously! If you trust that all you have has been given to you by God, you will live with open hands.
Are you more focused on what you have to do than what Jesus has already done for you?
I don’t know about you, but there is a moment each morning in our house when it seems like an explosion has just gone off! There are 45 minutes of sheer chaos and panic as the household wakes up and we rush to get the kids off to school! Can you relate? Everybody is running around like crazy. There is no order. No balance. Total anarchy! It is easy to start the day in a flurry of activity and be in the midst of noise from sun up to sun down.
I have found that if I am up before the explosion I have a much better chance of hearing the promptings of the Spirit throughout the day. I have a much better chance of seeing those things for which I should be grateful. Are you stopping to listen? Is there a time in your day when you are intentionally disconnected – a moment set aside where there are no devices within your reach and no “to-do” list to distract you? Do you go to God’s Word to be reminded of the Good News of the Gospel? Or are your running all day at a frantic pace trying to get everything done while quenching the Holy Spirit and forgetting to be grateful?
God is still on His throne. What appears to be a huge trial just might become the greatest masterpiece of God working in your life! Are you willing to focus on who He is and what He has done for you? If you are, then you will discover how to be grateful.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Gratitude is a choice. It is a mindset and a mentality that is fueled by our perspective. Gratitude is an attitude of the heart. We have a saying in our family that goes like this: “You choose your attitude.” You cannot control many things in life but you can control your attitude! Are you living with a mindset of gratitude? Are you rejoicing in all things? Did you know it is God’s will that you learn what it means to give thanks in all things and live with a heart of gratitude? So, how do you know if you are living in gratitude? Here are some thoughts that might help you:
Do you see the power of God at work in the trials of life, or do you only see the challenges and trial?
God does some of His greatest work in our lives when we realize our need for Him. His power is most clearly on display when we trust Him with the things we can’t control. Are you focusing on the difficulties of life or do you consider it all joy, because you know God is at work? Please understand – this is not about a superficial smile, attempting to make it look like everything is okay. This is about the supernatural power of God working in our lives to show us more of His love and grace in ways that we never would have seen without the struggle. God uses the pain to draw us deeper into His love and grace … if we will trust Him. Let the struggle drive you to the truth!
Are you thankful for the blessings in your life, or are you bitter about the things that you don’t have?
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to miss out on the blessings in life because you are so focused on what you don’t have? Are you grateful for the things God has provided? It does not matter who you are or what your situation – every single one of us has reasons to be thankful. It is a choice. Will you choose to be grateful for what you have, or will you choose to allow the things you don’t have rob you of your joy?
Are you living a generous life, or are you trying to hold on to all you have?
The blessings of God have been given to you to be a blessing to others! God invites us into the process of blessing others because He knows that generosity provides us with some of the greatest joy we can find! A grateful heart chooses to give and live generously! If you trust that all you have has been given to you by God, you will live with open hands.
Are you more focused on what you have to do than what Jesus has already done for you?
I don’t know about you, but there is a moment each morning in our house when it seems like an explosion has just gone off! There are 45 minutes of sheer chaos and panic as the household wakes up and we rush to get the kids off to school! Can you relate? Everybody is running around like crazy. There is no order. No balance. Total anarchy! It is easy to start the day in a flurry of activity and be in the midst of noise from sun up to sun down.
I have found that if I am up before the explosion I have a much better chance of hearing the promptings of the Spirit throughout the day. I have a much better chance of seeing those things for which I should be grateful. Are you stopping to listen? Is there a time in your day when you are intentionally disconnected – a moment set aside where there are no devices within your reach and no “to-do” list to distract you? Do you go to God’s Word to be reminded of the Good News of the Gospel? Or are your running all day at a frantic pace trying to get everything done while quenching the Holy Spirit and forgetting to be grateful?
God is still on His throne. What appears to be a huge trial just might become the greatest masterpiece of God working in your life! Are you willing to focus on who He is and what He has done for you? If you are, then you will discover how to be grateful.
“Choose your love”
1 John 2: 15-17
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
This isn’t so much a warning against a love for the beauty of the world God created (though we must always love the Creator instead of the creation). Instead, it is more of a warning against loving the material things which characterize the world system. It’s speaking of not loving the ordered system of this world of which Satan is the head.
“Everybody is going there, everybody is doing it, so what’s the harm? Why can’t I just get a little taste?
The world claims to have a lot to offer you and the pull to indulge, taste, and sample is very strong.
The world buys our love with the great things it has to give us. Cars, homes, gadgets, relationships, and the status that goes with all of them, can really make our hearts at home in the world.
The fact is, every single day, we make a choice about whom or what we love. We set our focus and priorities. The choice is clear. It’s either to honor God and follow His ways, or go after those things the world dangles before us.
Worldliness begins in the heart and is characterized by three main attitudes:
Let’s always remember. God will not share the love that must go exclusively from Him with the world. There is a daily choice you and I have to make. It’s either give in to what we see and crave, or a commitment to honoring God and doing His Will. There is no “sitting on the fence” here. There is no “grey area”. It is one or the other. if one claims to love God and yet loves the world, there is something wrong with their claim to love God. A true heart after God and the things of God can not share a heart with the things of this world.
We are in regular contact with three eternal things: The Holy Spirit of God, the people around you, and the eternal words recorded in the book you hold. Time, attention, and expense put into those things pays eternal rewards.
To sum it up, whatever or whomever the allurements of this world are, they are not of God, they do not satisfy and they will fade away. What we invest into the world we invest into what cannot last because the world is passing away.
Please seriously consider these thoughts, bring them to God in prayer and make your decision today to truly serve God with all your heart.
1 John 2: 15-17
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
This isn’t so much a warning against a love for the beauty of the world God created (though we must always love the Creator instead of the creation). Instead, it is more of a warning against loving the material things which characterize the world system. It’s speaking of not loving the ordered system of this world of which Satan is the head.
“Everybody is going there, everybody is doing it, so what’s the harm? Why can’t I just get a little taste?
The world claims to have a lot to offer you and the pull to indulge, taste, and sample is very strong.
The world buys our love with the great things it has to give us. Cars, homes, gadgets, relationships, and the status that goes with all of them, can really make our hearts at home in the world.
The fact is, every single day, we make a choice about whom or what we love. We set our focus and priorities. The choice is clear. It’s either to honor God and follow His ways, or go after those things the world dangles before us.
Worldliness begins in the heart and is characterized by three main attitudes:
- Lust (preoccupation with gratifying our physical desires).
- Materialism (craving and accumulating things).
- Pride (obsession with our own importance – the “me first attitude”)
Let’s always remember. God will not share the love that must go exclusively from Him with the world. There is a daily choice you and I have to make. It’s either give in to what we see and crave, or a commitment to honoring God and doing His Will. There is no “sitting on the fence” here. There is no “grey area”. It is one or the other. if one claims to love God and yet loves the world, there is something wrong with their claim to love God. A true heart after God and the things of God can not share a heart with the things of this world.
We are in regular contact with three eternal things: The Holy Spirit of God, the people around you, and the eternal words recorded in the book you hold. Time, attention, and expense put into those things pays eternal rewards.
To sum it up, whatever or whomever the allurements of this world are, they are not of God, they do not satisfy and they will fade away. What we invest into the world we invest into what cannot last because the world is passing away.
Please seriously consider these thoughts, bring them to God in prayer and make your decision today to truly serve God with all your heart.
- Pastor Glenn
Who am I?
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
The search for our identity is a quest in which we all participate. We piece together our identity with things such as:
Where we are from
Where we went to school
What we do for a living
Achievements and accolades we have received
Our interest and hobbies
Our clothing and what we drive
Some of the factors that impact our identity are more passive. We know they are there, but we don’t want to admit it. These are things we don’t really want people to see – like the way we truly view ourselves:
Things that have been done to us
Things we have done that we are not proud of
The fears we hold
The shame we carry
For many, the identity we hold for ourselves becomes a tremendous burden and has staggering consequences in how we view God and His church, the way we treat others, and the priorities we hold dear. Everything we do, say, and think is wrapped up in the way we view ourselves. But what if there was a different way? What if our identity was not rooted in the way we view ourselves, but in the way God views us? 2 Corinthians shows us a different kind of identity – not built on what we have done or what we have acquired – rather, an identity based solely on what God has done for us in Christ!
My friends, this is all that truly matters is:
Not who are you, but Whose are you.
Not where are you from, but where are you going.
Not what you do, but Who you know.
Not what have you achieved, but what you have freely received.
There is a new identity for those who are in Christ. The old is gone, it is dead and it is buried. The new has come! Jesus Christ became sin for us. He took our place and died for our guilt and shame. In Christ, you are given a new identity. You become the righteousness of God. The very picture of His love and grace is a life that has been reconciled to Him. In Christ your identity is rooted and grounded in what God has done for you in His love and grace! That is a beautiful identity! Don’t you want that kind of identity? Look to Jesus!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
The search for our identity is a quest in which we all participate. We piece together our identity with things such as:
Where we are from
Where we went to school
What we do for a living
Achievements and accolades we have received
Our interest and hobbies
Our clothing and what we drive
Some of the factors that impact our identity are more passive. We know they are there, but we don’t want to admit it. These are things we don’t really want people to see – like the way we truly view ourselves:
Things that have been done to us
Things we have done that we are not proud of
The fears we hold
The shame we carry
For many, the identity we hold for ourselves becomes a tremendous burden and has staggering consequences in how we view God and His church, the way we treat others, and the priorities we hold dear. Everything we do, say, and think is wrapped up in the way we view ourselves. But what if there was a different way? What if our identity was not rooted in the way we view ourselves, but in the way God views us? 2 Corinthians shows us a different kind of identity – not built on what we have done or what we have acquired – rather, an identity based solely on what God has done for us in Christ!
My friends, this is all that truly matters is:
Not who are you, but Whose are you.
Not where are you from, but where are you going.
Not what you do, but Who you know.
Not what have you achieved, but what you have freely received.
There is a new identity for those who are in Christ. The old is gone, it is dead and it is buried. The new has come! Jesus Christ became sin for us. He took our place and died for our guilt and shame. In Christ, you are given a new identity. You become the righteousness of God. The very picture of His love and grace is a life that has been reconciled to Him. In Christ your identity is rooted and grounded in what God has done for you in His love and grace! That is a beautiful identity! Don’t you want that kind of identity? Look to Jesus!
"When it comes to money"
Whether you’ve got your first job, received birthday money from your grandma, or just made some sweet cash mowing lawns or selling candy, you’re always faced with a challenge: ‘what do I do with the money?’ Do you go on a spending spree? Blowing all your cash on candy, shoes or a new video game? You’ve got cash, but what’s the best way to handle it?
With that in mind, we’ve come up with 10 quick tips about money:
Spend less than you make.
Don’t borrow cash from your dad, brother, best friend or the guy that has the locker next to yours. If you don’t have the cash to pay for something right now, then wait to buy it. Choose to spend less than you make.
Resist impulse spending. This can be tricky. You go shopping and find some awesome shoes. You didn’t know you needed shoes until you saw THOSE shoes. Then you knew, you had to HAVE them. Impulse spending can lead to some stupid purchases, but most importantly, impulse spending can cause you not to have enough money to pay for the things that really matter. Choose to take your time and think it through before spending lots of money.
Put God first.
This is one of the hardest things to do when it comes to spending your money. You might think that you’ll give to your church when you get older, or when you make more money. However, putting God first in your spending is the best way to set yourself up for financial success in the long run. Giving to God is the best financial decision you can make. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing, that there will not be room enough to receive it. – Mal 3:10 (MEV)
Making giving a priority.
Giving is a concept that doesn’t really make sense to our brains, but its rewards are incredible. It seems that the more you give, the more you have. So, whether its buying your friend a soda when they’ve had a bad day, or giving to a mission’s project, giving should always be a priority in your life!
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full–pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” – Luke 3:38 (NLT)
Run from debt.
Don’t make debt a habit. It can be tempting to ask your friend for some money to cover the cost of your candy bar, but don’t make that a habit. Debt is a trap, so don’t start. Choose to avoid it at all costs.
Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. – Proverbs 22:7 (NLT)
Save for a rainy day. Doing this will set you apart from a lot of people. Begin when you’re young to save. Don’t spend everything you make. Choose to set some aside so that when you really need money, it’s there for you.
Learn from others. One of the best things you can do when it comes to money is watch and learn from others. There are people in your life who have made good decisions with their finances. Get in touch with them. See what things have helped them succeed and do the same thing in your life. Learn from the decisions of others.
Learn about money. Read up on some blogs about money. Talk to your grandpa about money, whatever you do, become a learner about money. Find out how it works and how you can be better with the money you have.
Don’t obsess about money.
It can be easy to make money a huge obsession in your life. You can make all your decisions based on it. It can become such a big part of your life that it hurts your relationship with God. Never let money become an obsession in your life. Money is simply a tool, not something to become consumed with.
Realize you’ll make mistakes. You’re going to make mistakes with your money. You’re going buy something that was totally worthless. You’re going to invest in something and lose it all. However, each dumb purchase or mistake that you make, is a great way to learn. If you let them, the mistakes you make will help you become wiser and be better with your money.
These simple money tips will help you to become better at managing your money. However, learning to be good with money isn’t something you’re born with, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t always make good choices. Learn from your mistakes and keep God at the forefront, and you’ll come out okay when it comes to your finances.
Whether you’ve got your first job, received birthday money from your grandma, or just made some sweet cash mowing lawns or selling candy, you’re always faced with a challenge: ‘what do I do with the money?’ Do you go on a spending spree? Blowing all your cash on candy, shoes or a new video game? You’ve got cash, but what’s the best way to handle it?
With that in mind, we’ve come up with 10 quick tips about money:
Spend less than you make.
Don’t borrow cash from your dad, brother, best friend or the guy that has the locker next to yours. If you don’t have the cash to pay for something right now, then wait to buy it. Choose to spend less than you make.
Resist impulse spending. This can be tricky. You go shopping and find some awesome shoes. You didn’t know you needed shoes until you saw THOSE shoes. Then you knew, you had to HAVE them. Impulse spending can lead to some stupid purchases, but most importantly, impulse spending can cause you not to have enough money to pay for the things that really matter. Choose to take your time and think it through before spending lots of money.
Put God first.
This is one of the hardest things to do when it comes to spending your money. You might think that you’ll give to your church when you get older, or when you make more money. However, putting God first in your spending is the best way to set yourself up for financial success in the long run. Giving to God is the best financial decision you can make. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing, that there will not be room enough to receive it. – Mal 3:10 (MEV)
Making giving a priority.
Giving is a concept that doesn’t really make sense to our brains, but its rewards are incredible. It seems that the more you give, the more you have. So, whether its buying your friend a soda when they’ve had a bad day, or giving to a mission’s project, giving should always be a priority in your life!
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full–pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” – Luke 3:38 (NLT)
Run from debt.
Don’t make debt a habit. It can be tempting to ask your friend for some money to cover the cost of your candy bar, but don’t make that a habit. Debt is a trap, so don’t start. Choose to avoid it at all costs.
Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. – Proverbs 22:7 (NLT)
Save for a rainy day. Doing this will set you apart from a lot of people. Begin when you’re young to save. Don’t spend everything you make. Choose to set some aside so that when you really need money, it’s there for you.
Learn from others. One of the best things you can do when it comes to money is watch and learn from others. There are people in your life who have made good decisions with their finances. Get in touch with them. See what things have helped them succeed and do the same thing in your life. Learn from the decisions of others.
Learn about money. Read up on some blogs about money. Talk to your grandpa about money, whatever you do, become a learner about money. Find out how it works and how you can be better with the money you have.
Don’t obsess about money.
It can be easy to make money a huge obsession in your life. You can make all your decisions based on it. It can become such a big part of your life that it hurts your relationship with God. Never let money become an obsession in your life. Money is simply a tool, not something to become consumed with.
Realize you’ll make mistakes. You’re going to make mistakes with your money. You’re going buy something that was totally worthless. You’re going to invest in something and lose it all. However, each dumb purchase or mistake that you make, is a great way to learn. If you let them, the mistakes you make will help you become wiser and be better with your money.
These simple money tips will help you to become better at managing your money. However, learning to be good with money isn’t something you’re born with, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t always make good choices. Learn from your mistakes and keep God at the forefront, and you’ll come out okay when it comes to your finances.
Are you committed?
When you hear the words “dedication” or “loyalty,” what
comes to mind? Does the concept of commitment ever seem
frightening to you? From careers to relationships, the lack of
commitment in our culture is everywhere. The concept has
affected the heart of the church as well. The term “Christian”
is supposed to refer to someone who lives their life “following
Christ.” Yet, if you look at the church today, many believers
only follow Christ when it is convenient and/or easy for them.
True commitment to Christ involves a determination to follow
Him all the time, no matter what!
Let’s check out what the Bible says:
Note what the Bible says hinders our commitment to Christ:
John 12:42-43 – A desire to please people over God.
Heb. 2:1 – Being distracted which causes us to drift away.
Note what the Bible says helps our commitment to Christ?
Deut. 6:5 – A love for God that consumes our whole existence.
Ps. 51:10 – A desire and passion to live godly lives.
John 6:66-68 – A focus on Christ who has the words of life.
Eccl. 9:10 – Making the most of the time we have on earth.
What should I do?
A commitment to Christ is about living for God no matter the
cost! It is a willingness to make necessary changes in your
private and social life and a willingness to be bold and take a
stand for truth. A committed Christian realizes that any other
pursuit in life falls short of the joy that comes with living
wholeheartedly for our Savior Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:8)! Does
the level of commitment you have need improvement?
“Remember”
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them”.
Ecclesiastes 12:1
There are a lot of people out there today who are just going with the flow, trying to be chill and go after whatever and whomever seems to grab the attention and satisfy the need of the moment.
The fact is, a life without God only produces a bitter, lonely and hopeless existence both short term and long term. On the other hand, a life centered around God is fulfilling and rewarding. It makes the bad years (that come to all of us) that become barriers to enjoying life – satisfying because of the hope of something more and greater – eternal life.
Being young is exciting but youth can become one of those barriers to closeness with God. Those things that we put so much importance on when we’re young, like sports, popularity, image (and the list goes on) become increasingly less important as we grow older. So, when you do grow older – what’s left? Your strength in God. The one whom you have entrusted your life and eternity to. The one whom you have build your foundation on.
Can I encourage you today to use your youthful years not on meaningless activities, gadgets and things that will leave you empty and hurting? Seek after God WITH ALL YOUR HEART. His promise is that you will find Him. Make a daily choice to walk His way, according to His will and in the path that lines up with His Word.
As you read this, know that God is so faithful. Are you being faithful to Him?
Blessings always,
Pastor Glenn
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them”.
Ecclesiastes 12:1
There are a lot of people out there today who are just going with the flow, trying to be chill and go after whatever and whomever seems to grab the attention and satisfy the need of the moment.
The fact is, a life without God only produces a bitter, lonely and hopeless existence both short term and long term. On the other hand, a life centered around God is fulfilling and rewarding. It makes the bad years (that come to all of us) that become barriers to enjoying life – satisfying because of the hope of something more and greater – eternal life.
Being young is exciting but youth can become one of those barriers to closeness with God. Those things that we put so much importance on when we’re young, like sports, popularity, image (and the list goes on) become increasingly less important as we grow older. So, when you do grow older – what’s left? Your strength in God. The one whom you have entrusted your life and eternity to. The one whom you have build your foundation on.
Can I encourage you today to use your youthful years not on meaningless activities, gadgets and things that will leave you empty and hurting? Seek after God WITH ALL YOUR HEART. His promise is that you will find Him. Make a daily choice to walk His way, according to His will and in the path that lines up with His Word.
As you read this, know that God is so faithful. Are you being faithful to Him?
Blessings always,
Pastor Glenn
Nobody said that being a teen would be easy. I can tell you from personal experience however, nothing compares to go full on serving Jesus. There’s no magic spiritual formula to follow but I’ve put together a few thoughts for you to seriously pray about and help you in your walk with the Lord.
If you have not already, then get saved: ask Jesus into your heart (your core being) and ask to receive the Holy Spirit; just go to your preacher or another trusted adult such as a parent, Sunday school teacher, or even a friend's parent, and ask one to help you with getting saved. (I've led a number of people to Christ and would love to talk to you about it.)
Not by work but by receiving the free gift, "by faith through God's grace"; so that, after you accept God's plan, then you will actively work and extend grace, because we "love others as he first loved us", and also "do good-works appointed" for each of us, as you accept and pass that grace (unmerited favor) on to others, and because you are justified, and pardoned freely by God -- for all you have ever done or do. Realize that you will get what you plant into your own life and into the lives of others -- "you'll reap what you sow", in another way of expressing that.
Follow up being saved: you should get baptized and live for Jesus, seeking the best of God's plan, for whatever you do.
Encourage others to be saved and baptized.
Follow Jesus and The Ten Commandments all of the time.
Love God! Show it by loving others -- helping those in need. Anybody can say that they love God, but also show that you do through actions and words.
Honor you father and you mother at all times no matter how hard it may be. Arguing nicely with them may not be pleasant, but it comes with being a teenager and a human. Just make sure you resolve any conflicts that arise, take the initiative to do this, if necessary and try your best to stay on good terms with them
Do not steal or cheat. Be honest, not wasting breath or killing time.
Create a Christian website and/or articles with your notes and other info like inspiring testimonies and Bible verses. If you have a Facebook, you may also consider putting verses there for your friends to see and talk about how much God has done for you.
Be reasonable and considerate: your fairness should be visible to others. This includes sober, free of excesses.
"Your tongue (words) has the power of life and death; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." (depression, incitement, anger, judging, harshness, unfairness, untruth, sarcasm, reverse logic, mean, hate, and even: leading to injury, unjust war,).
Say what is true in love. Don't cuss, berate, rant or rave. Stand firm and tall, not being unnecessarily "mean". If you slip in anger or nonsense -- apologize; mean it and go forward.
Love others. Listen more. Be positive; be enthused about the hope that you have. Be fair, not treating people indiscriminately, indifferently, but treat them individually, not coloring everybody with a wide brush.
Take a Bible with you just about everywhere you go: whether it is the mall or the arcade with your little brother or sister. You can even download a Bible app on your phone.
Read your Bible every morning and every night, or anytime for answers to spiritual questions. It would be helpful to have two Bibles: a study Bible for home and a gift Bible for travel, that you can give away -- if someone needs it.
Create a Bible study notebook.
Psst…. Make the Patch a daily part of your spiritual growth 😊
Pray every morning, every night, before every meal, when in doubt, when you're scared, when you're in need of spiritual help, or just any time you can.
If someone else comes to you with a problem, offer to pray with them. You'd be surprised at how helpful this can be from their view.
Go to Sunday morning Bible believing church service, Sunday night church service, Wednesday night church service, and any other church service such as: live, revival, Bible study, and/or baptisms. Get locked into a solid youth group and surround yourself with godly mentors.
Talk to others about Jesus; you would be surprised how much one person can make a difference.
Confronting/arguing with friends and family about sensitive subjects like this is a surefire way to make them feel irritated or uncomfortable. So, be patient and mindful of their feelings, avoid topics that are particularly touchy; pray for them and do not criticize them directly. Practicing an idea of what to say in advance is also a good idea to ensure you're conveying what you're trying to in a way that seems non-judgmental and easier for them to listen to. It's up to them to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior, but you can be supportive.
Donate some time, money and possessions "to others in need of your help, giving all of your old clothes to a needy person, family or places like Goodwill, Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), etc. Occasionally, volunteer and do daily, personal charity of your own. In the Gospels, Jesus commands: "Love one another." -- saying "if you have no [such] love, then you are none of mine."
Try to be as natural as possible, because God made mankind the way He wanted us, in his image, and wants us to improve.
God does not want us to try to change ourselves superficially -- with things like strange hair dye, body piercings, and tattoos.
But, if you have done all that and then come to Christ, use it all to advantage to reach the people similar to yourself, who may feel out of place with the most genteel and proper of great Christians, who don't get it...
Be well groomed, take care of your body and carry yourself well in both posture and confidence. Cleanliness and neatness also apply to your clothing, all of this will help you make a good impression, regardless of your taste in clothes. Invest a little time in good skin and hair care daily -- to enhance your appearance, naturally.
Girls, dress for success, modestly: that means please try to avoid miniskirts, short dresses, low cut tops, sleeveless tops, and/or short shorts. Wearing such clothing is not particularly wrong for your comfort, but it is certainly wrong to cause some other Christian brother to stumble by lusting over your body just because you want to feel more "comfortable". Wearing modest clothing isn't as limiting as you may think, modest clothes can still match your personal style quite nicely. Consider visiting a department store -- with someone whose tastes in clothing you respect -- to try new things on and see what styles and colors look better on you.
Girls, a little makeup can enhance natural beauty. All you need for daily wear is a bit of brown or blackish brown mascara, sheer lip gloss and blush in a flattering shade. Try concealer, if you have acne -- or use powder, if you have oily skin; just be careful to not overdo it. A little eyeshadow, eyeliner and natural lipliner/lipstick are for special occasions. The key is to enhance, not overpower, what God has given you.
Find the right friends: in other words, make friends that will be a good support system for you and encourage you to be your best self, not a completely different person.
Be friendly with everyone. However, avoid falling under the bad influences of troublemakers, backstabbers, liars or bullies. The Bible says Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character.
(1 Corinthians 15:33).
No person, activity, or thing is worth risking your walk with God for, or your eternity.
Don't fight with others. Always turn the other cheek. Don't growl.
Try to maintain your composure when stressed. Get energized, enthusiastic and inspired, but not frenzied; have an edge by living by faith (not by sight), not allowing moods or feelings to change your outlook! However, also know anxiety is a human emotion and there's no way to dodge it entirely.
Find quiet ways to curb anxiety, sadness, anger, etc. Activities such as sports, writing and drawing can do a great at helping you relieve yourself as they become a distraction. If you need help and know things are out of control, never be afraid to ask. Also remember that crying is a natural and healthy way of relieving stress, just try to do it either alone or with people you know.
Be a peacemaker. Don't get in harsh disagreements with people, whether it is physical or not. If there are direct insults, discrimination, aggression or anything intended to hurt, it's gone too far.
Don't gossip about other people. It can really hurt somebody and yourself, when you cut-down others without good reason.
Don't EVER be a bully -- cyber, verbal, or physical.
If you see another person being bullied for whatever reason, never be afraid to stand up for them. Odds are, they'll be very grateful for your help and admire your courage.
Don't stay in abusive or toxic situations. The only thing you owe anybody who is going out of their way to hurt you is a kick out of your life.
Don't avoid people because they have a different religion or ideology. Many of these people won't pressure you to change who you are and you can learn a lot from such friendships.
Demonstrate respect, fairness and kindness to others at all times.
Be respectful to your elders at all times.
Be set free of fear, hate and shame by living in Christ.
Offer to do things like teach younger children in Sunday school:
Offer to sing the special at your church service.
Volunteer, such as: in the nursery or toddler room during Sunday service.
Volunteer to help the teachers during VBS (vacation Bible school).
Be active and involved in good things with your family and friends. Have fun learning, working and doing chores at home and helping your family and friends.
Set a good example for children and younger teenagers. If you're not comfortable with your brother or sister doing something, don't do it yourself.
Do your best in school. Make a good effort to study hard and love your schoolwork, it will reward you well after you graduate.
If you have a job, be a diligent worker, complete all your tasks on time and try to get along with your boss and co-workers.
Don't get in a habit of living on line, with social media or in chat-rooms or gaming all the time.
Don't choose or watch inappropriate movies or videos -- cruel, bloody, violent, hate-filled, hard-core, vulgar, explicit content of many kinds, some include: 'R, R-17, X, XXX, porn’, ...
Avoid listening to crude music -- gang, violent, hate or trash-talk, i.e.: cussing like "'bi-atch', glorifying of 'ho', 'pimp'..." or other inappropriate content (unworthy of your time and attention).
Stay loyal to God and strive to be your best self [now].
Blessings always, Pastor Glenn
If you have not already, then get saved: ask Jesus into your heart (your core being) and ask to receive the Holy Spirit; just go to your preacher or another trusted adult such as a parent, Sunday school teacher, or even a friend's parent, and ask one to help you with getting saved. (I've led a number of people to Christ and would love to talk to you about it.)
Not by work but by receiving the free gift, "by faith through God's grace"; so that, after you accept God's plan, then you will actively work and extend grace, because we "love others as he first loved us", and also "do good-works appointed" for each of us, as you accept and pass that grace (unmerited favor) on to others, and because you are justified, and pardoned freely by God -- for all you have ever done or do. Realize that you will get what you plant into your own life and into the lives of others -- "you'll reap what you sow", in another way of expressing that.
Follow up being saved: you should get baptized and live for Jesus, seeking the best of God's plan, for whatever you do.
Encourage others to be saved and baptized.
Follow Jesus and The Ten Commandments all of the time.
Love God! Show it by loving others -- helping those in need. Anybody can say that they love God, but also show that you do through actions and words.
Honor you father and you mother at all times no matter how hard it may be. Arguing nicely with them may not be pleasant, but it comes with being a teenager and a human. Just make sure you resolve any conflicts that arise, take the initiative to do this, if necessary and try your best to stay on good terms with them
Do not steal or cheat. Be honest, not wasting breath or killing time.
Create a Christian website and/or articles with your notes and other info like inspiring testimonies and Bible verses. If you have a Facebook, you may also consider putting verses there for your friends to see and talk about how much God has done for you.
Be reasonable and considerate: your fairness should be visible to others. This includes sober, free of excesses.
"Your tongue (words) has the power of life and death; those who love to talk will reap the consequences." (depression, incitement, anger, judging, harshness, unfairness, untruth, sarcasm, reverse logic, mean, hate, and even: leading to injury, unjust war,).
Say what is true in love. Don't cuss, berate, rant or rave. Stand firm and tall, not being unnecessarily "mean". If you slip in anger or nonsense -- apologize; mean it and go forward.
Love others. Listen more. Be positive; be enthused about the hope that you have. Be fair, not treating people indiscriminately, indifferently, but treat them individually, not coloring everybody with a wide brush.
Take a Bible with you just about everywhere you go: whether it is the mall or the arcade with your little brother or sister. You can even download a Bible app on your phone.
Read your Bible every morning and every night, or anytime for answers to spiritual questions. It would be helpful to have two Bibles: a study Bible for home and a gift Bible for travel, that you can give away -- if someone needs it.
Create a Bible study notebook.
Psst…. Make the Patch a daily part of your spiritual growth 😊
Pray every morning, every night, before every meal, when in doubt, when you're scared, when you're in need of spiritual help, or just any time you can.
If someone else comes to you with a problem, offer to pray with them. You'd be surprised at how helpful this can be from their view.
Go to Sunday morning Bible believing church service, Sunday night church service, Wednesday night church service, and any other church service such as: live, revival, Bible study, and/or baptisms. Get locked into a solid youth group and surround yourself with godly mentors.
Talk to others about Jesus; you would be surprised how much one person can make a difference.
Confronting/arguing with friends and family about sensitive subjects like this is a surefire way to make them feel irritated or uncomfortable. So, be patient and mindful of their feelings, avoid topics that are particularly touchy; pray for them and do not criticize them directly. Practicing an idea of what to say in advance is also a good idea to ensure you're conveying what you're trying to in a way that seems non-judgmental and easier for them to listen to. It's up to them to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior, but you can be supportive.
Donate some time, money and possessions "to others in need of your help, giving all of your old clothes to a needy person, family or places like Goodwill, Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), etc. Occasionally, volunteer and do daily, personal charity of your own. In the Gospels, Jesus commands: "Love one another." -- saying "if you have no [such] love, then you are none of mine."
Try to be as natural as possible, because God made mankind the way He wanted us, in his image, and wants us to improve.
God does not want us to try to change ourselves superficially -- with things like strange hair dye, body piercings, and tattoos.
But, if you have done all that and then come to Christ, use it all to advantage to reach the people similar to yourself, who may feel out of place with the most genteel and proper of great Christians, who don't get it...
Be well groomed, take care of your body and carry yourself well in both posture and confidence. Cleanliness and neatness also apply to your clothing, all of this will help you make a good impression, regardless of your taste in clothes. Invest a little time in good skin and hair care daily -- to enhance your appearance, naturally.
Girls, dress for success, modestly: that means please try to avoid miniskirts, short dresses, low cut tops, sleeveless tops, and/or short shorts. Wearing such clothing is not particularly wrong for your comfort, but it is certainly wrong to cause some other Christian brother to stumble by lusting over your body just because you want to feel more "comfortable". Wearing modest clothing isn't as limiting as you may think, modest clothes can still match your personal style quite nicely. Consider visiting a department store -- with someone whose tastes in clothing you respect -- to try new things on and see what styles and colors look better on you.
Girls, a little makeup can enhance natural beauty. All you need for daily wear is a bit of brown or blackish brown mascara, sheer lip gloss and blush in a flattering shade. Try concealer, if you have acne -- or use powder, if you have oily skin; just be careful to not overdo it. A little eyeshadow, eyeliner and natural lipliner/lipstick are for special occasions. The key is to enhance, not overpower, what God has given you.
Find the right friends: in other words, make friends that will be a good support system for you and encourage you to be your best self, not a completely different person.
Be friendly with everyone. However, avoid falling under the bad influences of troublemakers, backstabbers, liars or bullies. The Bible says Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character.
(1 Corinthians 15:33).
No person, activity, or thing is worth risking your walk with God for, or your eternity.
Don't fight with others. Always turn the other cheek. Don't growl.
Try to maintain your composure when stressed. Get energized, enthusiastic and inspired, but not frenzied; have an edge by living by faith (not by sight), not allowing moods or feelings to change your outlook! However, also know anxiety is a human emotion and there's no way to dodge it entirely.
Find quiet ways to curb anxiety, sadness, anger, etc. Activities such as sports, writing and drawing can do a great at helping you relieve yourself as they become a distraction. If you need help and know things are out of control, never be afraid to ask. Also remember that crying is a natural and healthy way of relieving stress, just try to do it either alone or with people you know.
Be a peacemaker. Don't get in harsh disagreements with people, whether it is physical or not. If there are direct insults, discrimination, aggression or anything intended to hurt, it's gone too far.
Don't gossip about other people. It can really hurt somebody and yourself, when you cut-down others without good reason.
Don't EVER be a bully -- cyber, verbal, or physical.
If you see another person being bullied for whatever reason, never be afraid to stand up for them. Odds are, they'll be very grateful for your help and admire your courage.
Don't stay in abusive or toxic situations. The only thing you owe anybody who is going out of their way to hurt you is a kick out of your life.
Don't avoid people because they have a different religion or ideology. Many of these people won't pressure you to change who you are and you can learn a lot from such friendships.
Demonstrate respect, fairness and kindness to others at all times.
Be respectful to your elders at all times.
Be set free of fear, hate and shame by living in Christ.
Offer to do things like teach younger children in Sunday school:
Offer to sing the special at your church service.
Volunteer, such as: in the nursery or toddler room during Sunday service.
Volunteer to help the teachers during VBS (vacation Bible school).
Be active and involved in good things with your family and friends. Have fun learning, working and doing chores at home and helping your family and friends.
Set a good example for children and younger teenagers. If you're not comfortable with your brother or sister doing something, don't do it yourself.
Do your best in school. Make a good effort to study hard and love your schoolwork, it will reward you well after you graduate.
If you have a job, be a diligent worker, complete all your tasks on time and try to get along with your boss and co-workers.
Don't get in a habit of living on line, with social media or in chat-rooms or gaming all the time.
Don't choose or watch inappropriate movies or videos -- cruel, bloody, violent, hate-filled, hard-core, vulgar, explicit content of many kinds, some include: 'R, R-17, X, XXX, porn’, ...
Avoid listening to crude music -- gang, violent, hate or trash-talk, i.e.: cussing like "'bi-atch', glorifying of 'ho', 'pimp'..." or other inappropriate content (unworthy of your time and attention).
Stay loyal to God and strive to be your best self [now].
Blessings always, Pastor Glenn
Go after your dreams”
If you’re like most teenagers, you want to do something big with your life. You don’t want to be ordinary, but you do want to accomplish something meaningful. You desire to live your life to help others.
These desires are God breathed into your life. They’re exciting and fun and for some of you, they will be world changing. As fun as dreams are, success doesn’t happen automatically. To help your dreams become successful in the long term, we’ve come up with three practical steps to help you accomplish your dreams.
Step One – Prayer.
When you’re doing something big for God prayer is vital. You’ve got to get God’s vision for your dream. God will show you how to do something when you don’t know how. He’ll show you the people you need to do the things that God is calling you to do, and He’ll give you the grace to do it. Be quick to go to God for His help.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
God sees the big picture. He has the benefit of knowing the future, so it’s important to get His input on your dreams and goals. Sometimes God will tell you to wait because the timing isn’t right to accomplish your dream. Other times, He might show you that you need some help or training to do what you feel in your heart to do. Be open to hearing from God about your dream. Follow His leading on the timing, and whether the dream is really what you’re to be doing right now.
Often God will put things in your heart, but they won’t come to pass all at once. Be patient and let God lead you in the development and discovery of your dream.
Be patient and let God lead you in discovering your dreams.
Step Two – Discovery.
Discovery should always be a step in reaching your dreams. Discovery is simply getting to know yourself. During this phase, you’ll want to identify what types of things you excel at and discover potential weaknesses. It’s also helpful to get to know about jobs or careers that could potentially interest you. Learning about both of these areas is what dream discovery is all about.
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. – 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
You have a God given gift that you can use to help others. Spend the time to find out what that is for you. Ask God to show you what things He’s put inside you and how you can begin to use them to make a difference.
Another part of discovery is to begin looking for others who have done something similar to what you want to do. Maybe you dream of a music career. Seek out others who have careers in music. Find out what education they needed for what they do. Find out what they do on a daily basis and see if it seems like this is something that would be a good fit for your strengths.
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. – Proverbs 28:26 (NLT)
It’s always worth it to invest the time to discover if your dream is a good fit for your gifts, personality and strengths.
Step Three – Reality Check.
After exploring the other two steps above, it’s good to do a little reality check. After you’ve spent some time discovering some of your gifts and talents, does your dream fit within your gifts? Do you believe that you could realistically accomplish your dream?
Also, after praying and spending time with God, how do you feel about your dream? Is the timing right for you to pursue your dream? Do you feel like this dream is inspired by God? In answering these questions, choose to put God’s leading ahead of your own excitement if it’s needed. Be open to adjusting your goal or dream if God is pushing you that way. Choose to put God first in the pursuit of your dreams and goals.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. – Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
Choose to put God first in the pursuit of your dreams and
God has given you a dream to do something exciting with your life. He’s gifted you in a unique way to accomplish the things that He has put on your heart. Don’t be afraid to dream big and get involved with your dreams. With God’s help you can accomplish big things!
If you’re like most teenagers, you want to do something big with your life. You don’t want to be ordinary, but you do want to accomplish something meaningful. You desire to live your life to help others.
These desires are God breathed into your life. They’re exciting and fun and for some of you, they will be world changing. As fun as dreams are, success doesn’t happen automatically. To help your dreams become successful in the long term, we’ve come up with three practical steps to help you accomplish your dreams.
Step One – Prayer.
When you’re doing something big for God prayer is vital. You’ve got to get God’s vision for your dream. God will show you how to do something when you don’t know how. He’ll show you the people you need to do the things that God is calling you to do, and He’ll give you the grace to do it. Be quick to go to God for His help.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
God sees the big picture. He has the benefit of knowing the future, so it’s important to get His input on your dreams and goals. Sometimes God will tell you to wait because the timing isn’t right to accomplish your dream. Other times, He might show you that you need some help or training to do what you feel in your heart to do. Be open to hearing from God about your dream. Follow His leading on the timing, and whether the dream is really what you’re to be doing right now.
Often God will put things in your heart, but they won’t come to pass all at once. Be patient and let God lead you in the development and discovery of your dream.
Be patient and let God lead you in discovering your dreams.
Step Two – Discovery.
Discovery should always be a step in reaching your dreams. Discovery is simply getting to know yourself. During this phase, you’ll want to identify what types of things you excel at and discover potential weaknesses. It’s also helpful to get to know about jobs or careers that could potentially interest you. Learning about both of these areas is what dream discovery is all about.
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. – 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
You have a God given gift that you can use to help others. Spend the time to find out what that is for you. Ask God to show you what things He’s put inside you and how you can begin to use them to make a difference.
Another part of discovery is to begin looking for others who have done something similar to what you want to do. Maybe you dream of a music career. Seek out others who have careers in music. Find out what education they needed for what they do. Find out what they do on a daily basis and see if it seems like this is something that would be a good fit for your strengths.
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. – Proverbs 28:26 (NLT)
It’s always worth it to invest the time to discover if your dream is a good fit for your gifts, personality and strengths.
Step Three – Reality Check.
After exploring the other two steps above, it’s good to do a little reality check. After you’ve spent some time discovering some of your gifts and talents, does your dream fit within your gifts? Do you believe that you could realistically accomplish your dream?
Also, after praying and spending time with God, how do you feel about your dream? Is the timing right for you to pursue your dream? Do you feel like this dream is inspired by God? In answering these questions, choose to put God’s leading ahead of your own excitement if it’s needed. Be open to adjusting your goal or dream if God is pushing you that way. Choose to put God first in the pursuit of your dreams and goals.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. – Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
Choose to put God first in the pursuit of your dreams and
God has given you a dream to do something exciting with your life. He’s gifted you in a unique way to accomplish the things that He has put on your heart. Don’t be afraid to dream big and get involved with your dreams. With God’s help you can accomplish big things!
“
"The crush”
One of the biggest questions for Christian teens is whether or not having a crush on someone is actually a sin. We've been told so many times that lusting is a sin but is a crush equal to lust or is it something different?
Crushing vs. Lusting
Depending on your perspective, lusting can be no different than having a crush. On the other hand, they can be very different. It's all in what your crush entails.
The Bible is very clear that lusting is a sin. We know about the warnings against sexual sin. We know the commandment about adultery. In Matthew 5:27-28, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery in his heart," we learn that just looking at a person with lust is a form of adultery. So, how are you looking at your crush? Is it something where you lust after him or her?
Not all crushes involve lust, though. Some crushes actually do lead to relationships. When we lust, we focus on pleasing ourselves. It is giving control to the sexual thoughts. However, when we think of relationships in a Biblical way, we lead ourselves toward healthy relationships. Wanting to get to know someone better, to date, is not sin unless we allow lust to interweave itself into the crush.
Crushes as Distractions
Lust is not the only sinful danger with crushes.
We can often get very involved in our crushes to a point where they become obsessions. Think about how far you would go to impress a crush. Are you changing yourself to please a crush? Are you denying your faith to get in good with your crush or his friends? Are you using people to get to him or her?
When crushes become distractions or harmful others they become sinful.
God wants us to fall in love. He designed us that way. However, changing everything about yourself isn't the way to be in love, and changing everything is no guarantee to get your crush to like you. We need to find others that love us just as we are. We need to date people who understand our faith and accept it, even help us grow in our love of God. When crushes cause us to walk away from God's important tenets, that leads us to sin.
When we put our crush before God, we are definitely sinning. The commandments are clear that we avoid idol worship, and idols come in all sorts of forms—even people. Often our crushes start taking up our thoughts and desires. We do more to please our crush than our God. It's easy to get caught up in these desires, but when God gets cut out or lessened, we're violating His commandments. It's God first.
Crushes That Turn into Relationships
There are times that crushes can lead to dating relationships. We obviously date people we're attracted to and like. While something good can start with a crush, we have to be sure that we avoid all the pitfalls that lead us into sin. Even when our crushes end up in relationships, we should then make sure those relationships stay healthy.
When a crush turns into a relationship, there is often an underlying fear that the person will leave. Sometimes it feels like we are more into the relationship than the crush, or we feel so lucky that the crush even cares, so we lose sight of ourselves and of God. Fear is no foundation of any relationship. We have to remember that God is always with us, and God will always love us. That love is always greater. He desires positive relationships for us.
"The crush”
One of the biggest questions for Christian teens is whether or not having a crush on someone is actually a sin. We've been told so many times that lusting is a sin but is a crush equal to lust or is it something different?
Crushing vs. Lusting
Depending on your perspective, lusting can be no different than having a crush. On the other hand, they can be very different. It's all in what your crush entails.
The Bible is very clear that lusting is a sin. We know about the warnings against sexual sin. We know the commandment about adultery. In Matthew 5:27-28, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery in his heart," we learn that just looking at a person with lust is a form of adultery. So, how are you looking at your crush? Is it something where you lust after him or her?
Not all crushes involve lust, though. Some crushes actually do lead to relationships. When we lust, we focus on pleasing ourselves. It is giving control to the sexual thoughts. However, when we think of relationships in a Biblical way, we lead ourselves toward healthy relationships. Wanting to get to know someone better, to date, is not sin unless we allow lust to interweave itself into the crush.
Crushes as Distractions
Lust is not the only sinful danger with crushes.
We can often get very involved in our crushes to a point where they become obsessions. Think about how far you would go to impress a crush. Are you changing yourself to please a crush? Are you denying your faith to get in good with your crush or his friends? Are you using people to get to him or her?
When crushes become distractions or harmful others they become sinful.
God wants us to fall in love. He designed us that way. However, changing everything about yourself isn't the way to be in love, and changing everything is no guarantee to get your crush to like you. We need to find others that love us just as we are. We need to date people who understand our faith and accept it, even help us grow in our love of God. When crushes cause us to walk away from God's important tenets, that leads us to sin.
When we put our crush before God, we are definitely sinning. The commandments are clear that we avoid idol worship, and idols come in all sorts of forms—even people. Often our crushes start taking up our thoughts and desires. We do more to please our crush than our God. It's easy to get caught up in these desires, but when God gets cut out or lessened, we're violating His commandments. It's God first.
Crushes That Turn into Relationships
There are times that crushes can lead to dating relationships. We obviously date people we're attracted to and like. While something good can start with a crush, we have to be sure that we avoid all the pitfalls that lead us into sin. Even when our crushes end up in relationships, we should then make sure those relationships stay healthy.
When a crush turns into a relationship, there is often an underlying fear that the person will leave. Sometimes it feels like we are more into the relationship than the crush, or we feel so lucky that the crush even cares, so we lose sight of ourselves and of God. Fear is no foundation of any relationship. We have to remember that God is always with us, and God will always love us. That love is always greater. He desires positive relationships for us.
“The sin attraction”
Sin is attractive. It draws us in because it offers a fast track to make us feel like “one of the crowd”. After all, doesn’t everyone want to fit in? It’s easier to just go with the flow and buy into the lies and deception the enemy whispers in our ears than to listen to the truth. Our own appetites start to dominate, they become our masters to the point that we’ll go anywhere, hang with whomever and do whatever to satisfy them.
But sin, no matter how attractive, how fun, or how innocent it may seem is absolutely lethal. It will kill you. It will take you out emotionally, physically and spiritually. It will separate from God and leave you broken, empty and well… totally messed up. There is always a price to pay.
Each one of us has to make choices. Choices that can and will impact not only short term, but the long term. There are very real choices now that will affect our eternity. No one or no thing is worth risking our walk with God for or our eternity on. We can’t be friendly with sin and expect our lives or future to remain unaffected.
Choices we make need wisdom from God. Wisdom comes through a constant process of growth. First, we have to trust and honor God. Second, we have to realize the Bible reveals God’s wisdom to us. Third, we have to make a life long series of choices that honor God and line up with His Word.
We learn from our mistakes and we don’t develop wisdom all at once. Some people have more insight than discretion, others have more knowledge than common sense. But we can pray for wisdom and ask God to develop it as an ongoing process – day by day.
Sin is attractive. It draws us in because it offers a fast track to make us feel like “one of the crowd”. After all, doesn’t everyone want to fit in? It’s easier to just go with the flow and buy into the lies and deception the enemy whispers in our ears than to listen to the truth. Our own appetites start to dominate, they become our masters to the point that we’ll go anywhere, hang with whomever and do whatever to satisfy them.
But sin, no matter how attractive, how fun, or how innocent it may seem is absolutely lethal. It will kill you. It will take you out emotionally, physically and spiritually. It will separate from God and leave you broken, empty and well… totally messed up. There is always a price to pay.
Each one of us has to make choices. Choices that can and will impact not only short term, but the long term. There are very real choices now that will affect our eternity. No one or no thing is worth risking our walk with God for or our eternity on. We can’t be friendly with sin and expect our lives or future to remain unaffected.
Choices we make need wisdom from God. Wisdom comes through a constant process of growth. First, we have to trust and honor God. Second, we have to realize the Bible reveals God’s wisdom to us. Third, we have to make a life long series of choices that honor God and line up with His Word.
We learn from our mistakes and we don’t develop wisdom all at once. Some people have more insight than discretion, others have more knowledge than common sense. But we can pray for wisdom and ask God to develop it as an ongoing process – day by day.
- Pastor Glenn
Spiritual distraction
We live in a super busy world that pumps us with endless distractions from our faith. When we become distracted from our faith, we become separated from God. Think of your faith as like going out for a drive. Who wants to be in a car with a distracted driver? All kinds of things can happen. You miss your exits. You run off the road. You take a wrong turn. It's no different in our faith. There are all kinds of spiritual distractions that take us on all kinds of wrong paths and far away from God. Here are some common causes of spiritual distraction:
Ourselves
We're human, and we tend to be very self-focused. It's easy for us to get lost in our problems and ourselves to a point where we lose sight of God. When we become too focused on ourselves, we are no longer focusing on God. Obviously, God loves us, and He wants us to care for ourselves, but he designed us for more than just to take care of ourselves. He also wants us to care for one another and to love Him. Next time you're in prayer, remember that some of your time with God needs to be other-focused, and don't let yourself be your own spiritual distraction.
Lust and Love
People like to think that lust and love are just adolescent issues, but they're not. No matter how old or young you are, lust and love are huge spiritual distractions. We often find ourselves thinking of a crush before we think of God. We find ourselves lost in romantic fantasy or distracted by pornography. We can even get lost in our dating partner to where we no longer focus on our faith, and we only focus on the other person. Breakups can also be a huge distraction as we immerse ourselves in sadness. Christians are very marriage focused, and the desire to get married can also be a huge distraction from God and His purpose for our life.
Entertainment
We seem to have an insatiable need to be entertained (even at church). Television, movies, books…they all provide escape from our daily lives. There is nothing that says we cannot provide ourselves a little break from reality by being entertained, but when that entertainment gets in the way of our faith, it becomes a spiritual distraction. We lose touch with reality and embrace fantasy. We shift from a God centered focus into earthly focused priorities We need to prioritize what's the most important. Should we go see that movie or go to church? If we're choosing entertainment over God, we have given into our distractions.
Things
Our world is one that promotes having things. The latest, the fastest, the one with more apps. Every week there seems to be a new gadget we're all told we need in our lives. It's important that we learn the difference between what we need and what we want. When we keep our perspective on needs verses wants, the things in life become far less distracting from our relationship with God. Things in this life are just here for a short time, but God is eternal, and our eternal life with Him needs to be our priority.
School and Work
We all need to go to school and many people need to work. They are an essential part of our lives, but we also need to be careful not to let them distract us from our faith. Now, faith does not give us an excuse to ditch school or not study. To avoid the distractions that school and work can cause, we must be better at managing our time. We have to make sure we get done what we need to do on time so we can devote the time God needs from us. Some spiritual distractions are just caused by poor time management.
Service
Even serving God can provide a spiritual distraction. Sure, we may be working for Him, but sometimes we lose sight of God in our desire to be good servants. A good example of this situation is Martha. She became resentful that her sister, Mary, was not helping her in the kitchen when Jesus came to visit. Yet Jesus reminded her that He needed to come first, not the kitchen work. Her heart wasn't in a Godly place. When we're doing God's work, God needs to be the reason behind what we do.
To wrap it up, let’s remember. No person, place, thing or activity is worth risking your walk with God for or your eternity on. Keep your eyes on Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith.
-Pastor Glenn
We live in a super busy world that pumps us with endless distractions from our faith. When we become distracted from our faith, we become separated from God. Think of your faith as like going out for a drive. Who wants to be in a car with a distracted driver? All kinds of things can happen. You miss your exits. You run off the road. You take a wrong turn. It's no different in our faith. There are all kinds of spiritual distractions that take us on all kinds of wrong paths and far away from God. Here are some common causes of spiritual distraction:
Ourselves
We're human, and we tend to be very self-focused. It's easy for us to get lost in our problems and ourselves to a point where we lose sight of God. When we become too focused on ourselves, we are no longer focusing on God. Obviously, God loves us, and He wants us to care for ourselves, but he designed us for more than just to take care of ourselves. He also wants us to care for one another and to love Him. Next time you're in prayer, remember that some of your time with God needs to be other-focused, and don't let yourself be your own spiritual distraction.
Lust and Love
People like to think that lust and love are just adolescent issues, but they're not. No matter how old or young you are, lust and love are huge spiritual distractions. We often find ourselves thinking of a crush before we think of God. We find ourselves lost in romantic fantasy or distracted by pornography. We can even get lost in our dating partner to where we no longer focus on our faith, and we only focus on the other person. Breakups can also be a huge distraction as we immerse ourselves in sadness. Christians are very marriage focused, and the desire to get married can also be a huge distraction from God and His purpose for our life.
Entertainment
We seem to have an insatiable need to be entertained (even at church). Television, movies, books…they all provide escape from our daily lives. There is nothing that says we cannot provide ourselves a little break from reality by being entertained, but when that entertainment gets in the way of our faith, it becomes a spiritual distraction. We lose touch with reality and embrace fantasy. We shift from a God centered focus into earthly focused priorities We need to prioritize what's the most important. Should we go see that movie or go to church? If we're choosing entertainment over God, we have given into our distractions.
Things
Our world is one that promotes having things. The latest, the fastest, the one with more apps. Every week there seems to be a new gadget we're all told we need in our lives. It's important that we learn the difference between what we need and what we want. When we keep our perspective on needs verses wants, the things in life become far less distracting from our relationship with God. Things in this life are just here for a short time, but God is eternal, and our eternal life with Him needs to be our priority.
School and Work
We all need to go to school and many people need to work. They are an essential part of our lives, but we also need to be careful not to let them distract us from our faith. Now, faith does not give us an excuse to ditch school or not study. To avoid the distractions that school and work can cause, we must be better at managing our time. We have to make sure we get done what we need to do on time so we can devote the time God needs from us. Some spiritual distractions are just caused by poor time management.
Service
Even serving God can provide a spiritual distraction. Sure, we may be working for Him, but sometimes we lose sight of God in our desire to be good servants. A good example of this situation is Martha. She became resentful that her sister, Mary, was not helping her in the kitchen when Jesus came to visit. Yet Jesus reminded her that He needed to come first, not the kitchen work. Her heart wasn't in a Godly place. When we're doing God's work, God needs to be the reason behind what we do.
To wrap it up, let’s remember. No person, place, thing or activity is worth risking your walk with God for or your eternity on. Keep your eyes on Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith.
-Pastor Glenn
“Surrender" is a military term which refers to ceasing resistance to an enemy or opponent and submitting to their authority. In the spiritual sense, we are in a battle between our will and the will of God. Since we are born sinful, we will always struggle with wanting to do the sinful thing (Romans 8:20-22; Romans 5:12). Just look at a 2-year old who doesn't get her cookie. No one taught her to throw a temper tantrum, but she will do it anyway because human beings are selfish and self-centered at the core.
When we reach the age when we can make moral choices, we must CHOOSE. We have to decide if we will follow our own sinful desires and impulses or to follow God's will instead (Joshua 24:15). God promises that when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). When we find Him, we have a choice to make: do we continue following our own sinful will, or do we surrender to HIS will? Thus, giving up the fight against the sinful nature (Romans 6:13).
The First Surrender
If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you have already begun to surrender to God (John 6:44; Acts 2:21). When you decide to stop doing things to earn God's grace and rely totally on Jesus's work for our salvation, then you've surrendered to becoming a part of God's family (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
As you continue your life as a new creation, you can continue surrendering parts of your life to Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill you with God's Glory instead (Ephesians 5:18). When we're filled with the Spirit, we start acting and talking more like Jesus (Galatians 5:22). The more we surrender to God, the more our old sinful nature is replaced God's nature (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25). What He's saying is that if we follow Him, we WIN the struggle—we are victors in the battle against sin.
Surrendering to God in Day-to-Day Life
Surrendering to God is not exactly about giving up total control over every single little thing. Obviously, we still need to make choices about our daily lives and plan for the future. Surrendering to God is more about aligning what you want with what God wants and being willing to follow Him as He guides you in your life.
When it comes to schoolwork, mending a broken relationship, obeying your parents, or whatever, it can be hard to visualize what it means to surrender these things to God. Think of it this way: When you're deciding what to do in any given situation, you must CHOOSE to allow God to take the lead on what happens.
Yes, study hard for your exam. Yes, take the time to speak in love to your friend. Yes, listen to your parents and respect them. But in the end, TRUST God with the results of those efforts. Proverbs 16:9 says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
The Point of Surrender
Surrendering your life to Jesus is about choosing HIS way over yours. It's about TRUSTING that He is in control of the outcome. It's about deciding that your sin is not as important as fulfilling God's will. If surrendering still sounds scary to you, take heart—God’s plan for our lives will always benefit us (Jeremiah 29:11), unlike our own plans, which often lead to self-destruction (Proverbs 14:12).
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit' - yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." —James 4:13-17
The whole goal of the Christian life can really be summed up by Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." God loves and honors a life that is surrendered to Him, and He rewards that life with the greatest fulfillment you could ever imagine (Luke 6:22-23).
When we reach the age when we can make moral choices, we must CHOOSE. We have to decide if we will follow our own sinful desires and impulses or to follow God's will instead (Joshua 24:15). God promises that when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). When we find Him, we have a choice to make: do we continue following our own sinful will, or do we surrender to HIS will? Thus, giving up the fight against the sinful nature (Romans 6:13).
The First Surrender
If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you have already begun to surrender to God (John 6:44; Acts 2:21). When you decide to stop doing things to earn God's grace and rely totally on Jesus's work for our salvation, then you've surrendered to becoming a part of God's family (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
As you continue your life as a new creation, you can continue surrendering parts of your life to Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill you with God's Glory instead (Ephesians 5:18). When we're filled with the Spirit, we start acting and talking more like Jesus (Galatians 5:22). The more we surrender to God, the more our old sinful nature is replaced God's nature (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25). What He's saying is that if we follow Him, we WIN the struggle—we are victors in the battle against sin.
Surrendering to God in Day-to-Day Life
Surrendering to God is not exactly about giving up total control over every single little thing. Obviously, we still need to make choices about our daily lives and plan for the future. Surrendering to God is more about aligning what you want with what God wants and being willing to follow Him as He guides you in your life.
When it comes to schoolwork, mending a broken relationship, obeying your parents, or whatever, it can be hard to visualize what it means to surrender these things to God. Think of it this way: When you're deciding what to do in any given situation, you must CHOOSE to allow God to take the lead on what happens.
Yes, study hard for your exam. Yes, take the time to speak in love to your friend. Yes, listen to your parents and respect them. But in the end, TRUST God with the results of those efforts. Proverbs 16:9 says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
The Point of Surrender
Surrendering your life to Jesus is about choosing HIS way over yours. It's about TRUSTING that He is in control of the outcome. It's about deciding that your sin is not as important as fulfilling God's will. If surrendering still sounds scary to you, take heart—God’s plan for our lives will always benefit us (Jeremiah 29:11), unlike our own plans, which often lead to self-destruction (Proverbs 14:12).
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit' - yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." —James 4:13-17
The whole goal of the Christian life can really be summed up by Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." God loves and honors a life that is surrendered to Him, and He rewards that life with the greatest fulfillment you could ever imagine (Luke 6:22-23).
The partaaay
Ok, you want to fit in, you want to be a part of the crowd and after all…. pretty much everybody is going to be there.
It’s happening again. Someone is having a party this weekend while their parents are away, and you know that it definitely won’t be Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew on the drinks menu. You’re just dreading this conversation, which you know is going to happen:
Friends: “Are you going to come?”
You: “Um, ar, I don’t know.”
The question has been asked by everyone, for years now. I even asked it when I was at high school. The question is "How should Christians act at parties?": Here's a few things to think about.
Should I go to a party where I know everyone will be getting drunk? "Hey, I can just show up and hang out for a while. It’s not like I’m going to drink or anything… it’s all chill".
And there’s often a second question that goes with it: What about if I’m hoping to evangelize when I’m there?
The answer comes in two parts. The first part relates to the alcohol, and there’s a pretty simple answer. If you’re under 18 (UK/AUS/CAN, 21 USA), it’s not legal for you to be drinking. It’s also not legal for someone to be supplying you with alcohol. If you go to a party where there is alcohol, you, or someone at that party will be breaking the law. For me, it’s a no-brainer. Don’t go.
However, if you’re over 18 (UK/AUS/CAN, 21 USA), obviously, you’re allowed to drink, and people are allowed to serve you drinks. So, wisdom and sense need to come into play.
Use wisdom if you hang around people who are drinking
Whatever you decide, you need to be aware of what you’re dealing with. Drunk people do stupid things and get in messes. And I’m not just talking about ending up lying in their own vomit. Alcohol-fueled violence, drunk driving, date rape and spiked drinks are risks that you take if you hang around with people who have been drinking.
And if everyone is drinking, they will want you to drink too. Are you strong enough or wise enough to remain sober when everyone around you is getting smashed? The temptation to "just try it" is a strong pull.
Romans 12:3 reminds us to not think of ourselves “more highly than we ought, but rather think of ourselves with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given us.”
Be wise in this. There’s no place in the Bible that says "thou shalt not go to a party". But there’s also no principle that says it’s a great idea to put yourself into a situation that could get way out of control.
Check out Ephesians 4:27
and do not give the devil a foothold.
Will going to this party open my life to things that are not of God? Am I giving the enemy a foothold in an area of possible weakness I have? Do I really care what God thinks about this? Or is going with the crowd more important? Is this party honoring to God? Will it edify me spiritually and bring glory to God?
What about evangelizing at parties?
It sounds really spiritual to argue that a good reason for going to a party is so that you can evangelize the people there. Be honest with yourself. Sometimes that might be true, but other times the reason we really want to go is to avoid social death.
The three times I’ve had ‘great’ spiritual conversations with drunk people at parties, I’ve come home and realized that the next day, they can’t remember a single word of what they or I have said!
A better solution?
Does this all sound too negative? Here's a different idea - organize something else yourself.
Get together with friends for a BBQ, go to the beach, or whatever it is you like to do. Go on the offensive and organize some parties where people actually have fun and feel good about themselves the next day. Who knows, you might even get to have a chat about why you're so different to everyone else.
Bottom line: Take a stand and make the decision that lines up with the Word of God.
Ok, you want to fit in, you want to be a part of the crowd and after all…. pretty much everybody is going to be there.
It’s happening again. Someone is having a party this weekend while their parents are away, and you know that it definitely won’t be Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew on the drinks menu. You’re just dreading this conversation, which you know is going to happen:
Friends: “Are you going to come?”
You: “Um, ar, I don’t know.”
The question has been asked by everyone, for years now. I even asked it when I was at high school. The question is "How should Christians act at parties?": Here's a few things to think about.
Should I go to a party where I know everyone will be getting drunk? "Hey, I can just show up and hang out for a while. It’s not like I’m going to drink or anything… it’s all chill".
And there’s often a second question that goes with it: What about if I’m hoping to evangelize when I’m there?
The answer comes in two parts. The first part relates to the alcohol, and there’s a pretty simple answer. If you’re under 18 (UK/AUS/CAN, 21 USA), it’s not legal for you to be drinking. It’s also not legal for someone to be supplying you with alcohol. If you go to a party where there is alcohol, you, or someone at that party will be breaking the law. For me, it’s a no-brainer. Don’t go.
However, if you’re over 18 (UK/AUS/CAN, 21 USA), obviously, you’re allowed to drink, and people are allowed to serve you drinks. So, wisdom and sense need to come into play.
Use wisdom if you hang around people who are drinking
Whatever you decide, you need to be aware of what you’re dealing with. Drunk people do stupid things and get in messes. And I’m not just talking about ending up lying in their own vomit. Alcohol-fueled violence, drunk driving, date rape and spiked drinks are risks that you take if you hang around with people who have been drinking.
And if everyone is drinking, they will want you to drink too. Are you strong enough or wise enough to remain sober when everyone around you is getting smashed? The temptation to "just try it" is a strong pull.
Romans 12:3 reminds us to not think of ourselves “more highly than we ought, but rather think of ourselves with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given us.”
Be wise in this. There’s no place in the Bible that says "thou shalt not go to a party". But there’s also no principle that says it’s a great idea to put yourself into a situation that could get way out of control.
Check out Ephesians 4:27
and do not give the devil a foothold.
Will going to this party open my life to things that are not of God? Am I giving the enemy a foothold in an area of possible weakness I have? Do I really care what God thinks about this? Or is going with the crowd more important? Is this party honoring to God? Will it edify me spiritually and bring glory to God?
What about evangelizing at parties?
It sounds really spiritual to argue that a good reason for going to a party is so that you can evangelize the people there. Be honest with yourself. Sometimes that might be true, but other times the reason we really want to go is to avoid social death.
The three times I’ve had ‘great’ spiritual conversations with drunk people at parties, I’ve come home and realized that the next day, they can’t remember a single word of what they or I have said!
A better solution?
Does this all sound too negative? Here's a different idea - organize something else yourself.
Get together with friends for a BBQ, go to the beach, or whatever it is you like to do. Go on the offensive and organize some parties where people actually have fun and feel good about themselves the next day. Who knows, you might even get to have a chat about why you're so different to everyone else.
Bottom line: Take a stand and make the decision that lines up with the Word of God.
Life is not a coin toss
Choices are something we all have to face at times in our lives. We have small decisions like what to wear or what to eat. We also face bigger decisions as well. We may have to choose to stand up for what you believe in or remain silent to avoid criticism. Choices are a part of our daily life, and becoming better at making choices will help you be successful in everything you do. So, with that in mind, here are five reasons choices will help make you successful.
Little choices make a big difference.
It’s easy to overlook little choices and think they really don’t matter. For example, practicing your sport a few extra minutes a night doesn’t seem like a big deal, but over time, it can make a huge difference in how you play. Little choices don’t always appear to be a big deal, but they are. How you handle the little choices will determine how you handle the bigger choices.
God gave you the freedom to choose.
God gave mankind the ability to make their own decisions. We all have the freedom to choose our actions, our thoughts and the course our life takes. Getting God involved with your decisions and choosing godly things will always make you a success.
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! – Deut 30:19 (NLT)
When you don’t choose, you’re making a choice.
Many times, it can feel easier when faced with a difficult decision to not make a choice. However, when you do that, you are still making a choice. You’re just choosing not to do anything. Life is full of difficult choices, so begin learning how to make them now. Don’t let your life slip away in indecision.
Each Choice has a consequence.
When we hear the word consequence we automatically think that it’s something bad. However, consequences can be good too. Each choice you make has a consequence, but that doesn’t mean that making choices is bad. For example, if you choose to work a job, a consequence of that choice is getting a paycheck for the hours you worked. In this case, the consequence isn’t a bad one.
Choices need to be intentional.
You’ve got to live intentionally. You will never accomplish the dreams that God has placed in your heart without getting intentional about them. You’ve got to choose to make good choices every day that will propel you forward toward your dreams.
The choices you make each day set the pace and the direction for your life. Choose to be intentional about each decision you make. Is that decision pushing you closer to God and His plan for your life? If it isn’t, then the choice isn’t a good one. Choosing God and His plan for your life will always help you become successful!
“Teens n’ screens"
When it comes to technology consumption, typically the problem can be defined two ways: idolatry or outright addiction. You may be experiencing one or both definitions when it comes to you and your devices. Examine how you use your tech and how often you use it. Do you allow your device-use to get in the way of your relationships with friends, family, or God? How you would feel if it got broken or taken away? What would your response be? Would you get angry or go crazy? Or would you just find something else to do?
The Bible says idolatry is the worship of false gods and that we should run from it (Deuteronomy 5:7; 1 Corinthians 10:14). Today, idolatry can be anything that takes precedence in your life over God or other people. Relationships, grades, jobs, devices, possessions, fandoms, sports, etc... all of these things have the potential to take the #1 spot in our lives if we aren't careful.
Addiction is defined as a compulsive need for a habit-forming substance, or a "persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful" (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary). Is "addiction" too strong of a word for your compulsion for screen time? Perhaps you just need to take a step back and refocus your priorities. Or is compulsive device usage something you have zero self-control over?
If you have difficulty pulling away from the screens or it's causing problems between you and your family and/or relationship with God, then we need some intervention. When we allow something to come between us and God, that is the very definition of an idol (1 John 5:21). Finding balance between your time with God, family, friends, and screens is vital. Please understand that that watching TV or keeping up with friends on social media are NOT sinful. Use of tech only becomes a problem when your ability to exercise self-control over your screen time use grows into something bigger than you can manage.
Evaluating Your Current Balance Between the Screens
Be encouraged that you are not alone; we all have idols and temptations we contend with. But it is still possible to get and maintain a better balance with the things that matter. Keep track of how you spend your time for a week, writing down how much time you spend in different activities, then evaluate the numbers to get a better perspective on how you spend your time right now.
What is the proportion of time you spend between your screens, your family, and God? How much time do you spend building your relationship with God through prayer and reading His Word? How much time do you spend investing in other people's lives? How much time do you spend alone with a screen?
Time Spent: Perspectives & Priorities
If you want to spend time with God only because you should, remind yourself that God honors a desire to spend time with Him. He wants to be with you because He loves you and has great plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Spending time with God helps you know Him better and learn to follow His will for a God-glorifying life (James 4:8).
If you're spending time with your family because you have to, you're likely to develop bitterness and resentment over what seems a waste of time. The Bible says that putting others' needs first is an important aspect being a Christian (Philippians 2:1-11). Your little siblings look up to you. Take time to be with them, showing kindness and love. Your parents and older siblings could use your service, support, and respect. Investing time in your family strengthens those relationships.
What benefits do you gain from your screen time? Is that time beneficial to your spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical health? How valuable are those benefits in comparison to what could be gained from time with God and your family? How could utilize your screen time in a positive way that benefits you, your faith, and those around you (1 Corinthians 6:12)?
Practical Ways to Decrease Screen Time & Increase God/Family Time
Designate time with God. The goal is to keep God at the forefront of your mind always (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), but when you're making new habits, keep your goals small. Start with a small amount of time, such as praying as soon as you wake up and/or right before bed, then build as you are ready. After a while, you may even crave more time with God. Set an alarm, get up, grab your Bible, and enjoy God's presence, attention, and wisdom.
Make your time with God screen-free. No phones, tablets, computers, or TVs! Yes, there are Bible apps and video sermons, but if you're trying to put God before screens, I wouldn't suggest using those. Too much temptation to check feeds, notifications, or fall down a YouTube rabbit hole. Get a good old-fashioned printed Bible. If you're so inclined, use highlighters, gel pens, etc. to mark passages, make notes, draw pictures, doodle—anything that helps. Make it a special time with God.
Make your family time screen-free. Put your phone and other devices away. You can encourage the whole family to support efforts to decrease screen time by making dinner and doing family activities phone-free. Connecting with your family is an investment that's easy to make while you're living at home. Take advantage!
Talk your friends into screen-free activities. The stuff you do doesn't always have to involve movies, shows, video games, or snapping each other. You can go outside, create things, serve others, try new things... You may start a revolution!
Remove any TV screens or video game systems from your bedroom. You don't have to get rid of them forever, but removing that temptation will go a long way to helping you attain the balance we're talking about. Store them in a box somewhere away from your room or disconnect them and put it all at the back of your closet. You'll also sleep better if you don't have electronics buzzing in your room. Restrict TV/Netflix/Hulu/etc. viewing to 2 hours a day, and only after homework, chores, and other responsibilities are completed.
Ask for help with accountability. Just because it's device screens, and not heroin, doesn't mean it's easy to break a bad habit. Ask a friend or family member to keep you accountable to limiting your screen time. They can check up on you regularly, pray for you, and give you alternatives to screen time. Working with a counselor might be necessary if self-control is truly an issue for you. It may very well be an all-out addiction. If this is the case, please don't feel guilty or like a failure. You've recognized a problem and decided to change—that is a HUGE step.
Consider a fast. Fasting is a powerful way to restore focus on God. Many people fast from food, but fasting from tech is perfectly acceptable in today's world. When my daughter was about 15, she was challenged by her youth group leaders to fast from social media for a month. All her social media apps went away, and we placed a password on her settings, so she couldn't get into the app store to re-install them. The leaders checked on the students quite often. (That's accountability!) Fasting from social media was really hard for her at first, but it got easier.
The trick to fasting successfully is to PRAY when the temptation to cheat hits you. Spend time that would be spent on screens with God or family activities instead. With this kind of fast, having an accountability partner (or 2) is essential. My daughter said she felt closer to God during the fast and had a much better perspective on social media afterward. You can too!
These suggestions may not all work for you personally, but hopefully this article has given you some ideas and direction toward helping find some balance between the screens. God desires more time with you, so I have high hopes you will succeed, friend!
When it comes to technology consumption, typically the problem can be defined two ways: idolatry or outright addiction. You may be experiencing one or both definitions when it comes to you and your devices. Examine how you use your tech and how often you use it. Do you allow your device-use to get in the way of your relationships with friends, family, or God? How you would feel if it got broken or taken away? What would your response be? Would you get angry or go crazy? Or would you just find something else to do?
The Bible says idolatry is the worship of false gods and that we should run from it (Deuteronomy 5:7; 1 Corinthians 10:14). Today, idolatry can be anything that takes precedence in your life over God or other people. Relationships, grades, jobs, devices, possessions, fandoms, sports, etc... all of these things have the potential to take the #1 spot in our lives if we aren't careful.
Addiction is defined as a compulsive need for a habit-forming substance, or a "persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful" (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary). Is "addiction" too strong of a word for your compulsion for screen time? Perhaps you just need to take a step back and refocus your priorities. Or is compulsive device usage something you have zero self-control over?
If you have difficulty pulling away from the screens or it's causing problems between you and your family and/or relationship with God, then we need some intervention. When we allow something to come between us and God, that is the very definition of an idol (1 John 5:21). Finding balance between your time with God, family, friends, and screens is vital. Please understand that that watching TV or keeping up with friends on social media are NOT sinful. Use of tech only becomes a problem when your ability to exercise self-control over your screen time use grows into something bigger than you can manage.
Evaluating Your Current Balance Between the Screens
Be encouraged that you are not alone; we all have idols and temptations we contend with. But it is still possible to get and maintain a better balance with the things that matter. Keep track of how you spend your time for a week, writing down how much time you spend in different activities, then evaluate the numbers to get a better perspective on how you spend your time right now.
What is the proportion of time you spend between your screens, your family, and God? How much time do you spend building your relationship with God through prayer and reading His Word? How much time do you spend investing in other people's lives? How much time do you spend alone with a screen?
Time Spent: Perspectives & Priorities
If you want to spend time with God only because you should, remind yourself that God honors a desire to spend time with Him. He wants to be with you because He loves you and has great plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Spending time with God helps you know Him better and learn to follow His will for a God-glorifying life (James 4:8).
If you're spending time with your family because you have to, you're likely to develop bitterness and resentment over what seems a waste of time. The Bible says that putting others' needs first is an important aspect being a Christian (Philippians 2:1-11). Your little siblings look up to you. Take time to be with them, showing kindness and love. Your parents and older siblings could use your service, support, and respect. Investing time in your family strengthens those relationships.
What benefits do you gain from your screen time? Is that time beneficial to your spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical health? How valuable are those benefits in comparison to what could be gained from time with God and your family? How could utilize your screen time in a positive way that benefits you, your faith, and those around you (1 Corinthians 6:12)?
Practical Ways to Decrease Screen Time & Increase God/Family Time
Designate time with God. The goal is to keep God at the forefront of your mind always (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), but when you're making new habits, keep your goals small. Start with a small amount of time, such as praying as soon as you wake up and/or right before bed, then build as you are ready. After a while, you may even crave more time with God. Set an alarm, get up, grab your Bible, and enjoy God's presence, attention, and wisdom.
Make your time with God screen-free. No phones, tablets, computers, or TVs! Yes, there are Bible apps and video sermons, but if you're trying to put God before screens, I wouldn't suggest using those. Too much temptation to check feeds, notifications, or fall down a YouTube rabbit hole. Get a good old-fashioned printed Bible. If you're so inclined, use highlighters, gel pens, etc. to mark passages, make notes, draw pictures, doodle—anything that helps. Make it a special time with God.
Make your family time screen-free. Put your phone and other devices away. You can encourage the whole family to support efforts to decrease screen time by making dinner and doing family activities phone-free. Connecting with your family is an investment that's easy to make while you're living at home. Take advantage!
Talk your friends into screen-free activities. The stuff you do doesn't always have to involve movies, shows, video games, or snapping each other. You can go outside, create things, serve others, try new things... You may start a revolution!
Remove any TV screens or video game systems from your bedroom. You don't have to get rid of them forever, but removing that temptation will go a long way to helping you attain the balance we're talking about. Store them in a box somewhere away from your room or disconnect them and put it all at the back of your closet. You'll also sleep better if you don't have electronics buzzing in your room. Restrict TV/Netflix/Hulu/etc. viewing to 2 hours a day, and only after homework, chores, and other responsibilities are completed.
Ask for help with accountability. Just because it's device screens, and not heroin, doesn't mean it's easy to break a bad habit. Ask a friend or family member to keep you accountable to limiting your screen time. They can check up on you regularly, pray for you, and give you alternatives to screen time. Working with a counselor might be necessary if self-control is truly an issue for you. It may very well be an all-out addiction. If this is the case, please don't feel guilty or like a failure. You've recognized a problem and decided to change—that is a HUGE step.
Consider a fast. Fasting is a powerful way to restore focus on God. Many people fast from food, but fasting from tech is perfectly acceptable in today's world. When my daughter was about 15, she was challenged by her youth group leaders to fast from social media for a month. All her social media apps went away, and we placed a password on her settings, so she couldn't get into the app store to re-install them. The leaders checked on the students quite often. (That's accountability!) Fasting from social media was really hard for her at first, but it got easier.
The trick to fasting successfully is to PRAY when the temptation to cheat hits you. Spend time that would be spent on screens with God or family activities instead. With this kind of fast, having an accountability partner (or 2) is essential. My daughter said she felt closer to God during the fast and had a much better perspective on social media afterward. You can too!
These suggestions may not all work for you personally, but hopefully this article has given you some ideas and direction toward helping find some balance between the screens. God desires more time with you, so I have high hopes you will succeed, friend!
Are you lukewarm?
Ok, this is a serious question that demands our attention so, let’s take some time out and take a hard, heart look
Let's take a look at Revelation 3:15-21, where we find this reference to being lukewarm. Jesus is describing the faith of those in the Laodicean church in the harshest terms possible. "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne." (Learn more about the historical context here.)
Lukewarm faith is good for nothing
Lukewarm water is neither hot nor cold and therefore not that useful. It's not hot enough to bathe in, and it's not cold enough to drink. Bathing in lukewarm water doesn't make for a very satisfying shower; drinking lukewarm water makes a person sick to the stomach. Thus, in this metaphor, Jesus is saying to either be on fire for God as you serve Him or be utterly cold and reject Him. A lukewarm faith makes Him want to "spit you out of my mouth." Did you get that? Jesus would rather people reject Him than have a lukewarm faith! Lukewarm faith sickens Him!
When we serve God through our words or actions with a "hot" faith, we find ourselves very excited about doing His will. On the flipside, if our faith is "cold," that means we're rejecting God's will and following our own choice of path instead. Being a "lukewarm Christian" is when we say that we believe in God and His teachings, but then we don't live our lives in such a way that proves our beliefs.
Make your heart match your actions and vice versa.
We could be witnessing and preaching the gospel as much as we can, throwing Bible verses at people and telling them about Jesus, but if we are living a life of sin (or even apathy), continuing bad habits, living in bitterness or hatred, etc., our words are going to fall short and be meaningless to anyone. The people you talk to about Jesus will think, "She says she's a Christian, but look at how she lives."
So how do you stop being lukewarm? It's right there in verse 19: "be zealous and repent!" Being a zealous Christian means that you have great energy or enthusiasm about doing the will of God in your life. And of course, "repent" means that you decide to turn away from sin when it tempts you.
What does a "hot" faith look like?
Practically speaking, there are a few easy things we can do to help heat up our faith to the desired hotness. Pray. Read your Bible. Pray some more! Serve others. Love others. Love God and everything He does. Be forgiving. Be merciful. Truly care about others more than yourself. Talk to God regularly and ask Him for direction in all things.
It's important to note that works or good deeds cannot earn your salvation. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you have already been saved. But your salvation status doesn’t mean that you can live however you want either. God still has a way He wants His children to live; He wants you to be a light in the darkness, salt to the earth (Matthew 5:13-17) so that your life just screams that it is different. And it's how you live your life that will cause people to ask you questions about why you are the way you are. This is a great opportunity to talk to them about your faith in Christ. Hopefully, those conversations will be the seeds God can use to draw them to Him (John 6:44). The way you live your life is the biggest part of your witness as a Christ follower!
Ok, this is a serious question that demands our attention so, let’s take some time out and take a hard, heart look
Let's take a look at Revelation 3:15-21, where we find this reference to being lukewarm. Jesus is describing the faith of those in the Laodicean church in the harshest terms possible. "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne." (Learn more about the historical context here.)
Lukewarm faith is good for nothing
Lukewarm water is neither hot nor cold and therefore not that useful. It's not hot enough to bathe in, and it's not cold enough to drink. Bathing in lukewarm water doesn't make for a very satisfying shower; drinking lukewarm water makes a person sick to the stomach. Thus, in this metaphor, Jesus is saying to either be on fire for God as you serve Him or be utterly cold and reject Him. A lukewarm faith makes Him want to "spit you out of my mouth." Did you get that? Jesus would rather people reject Him than have a lukewarm faith! Lukewarm faith sickens Him!
When we serve God through our words or actions with a "hot" faith, we find ourselves very excited about doing His will. On the flipside, if our faith is "cold," that means we're rejecting God's will and following our own choice of path instead. Being a "lukewarm Christian" is when we say that we believe in God and His teachings, but then we don't live our lives in such a way that proves our beliefs.
Make your heart match your actions and vice versa.
We could be witnessing and preaching the gospel as much as we can, throwing Bible verses at people and telling them about Jesus, but if we are living a life of sin (or even apathy), continuing bad habits, living in bitterness or hatred, etc., our words are going to fall short and be meaningless to anyone. The people you talk to about Jesus will think, "She says she's a Christian, but look at how she lives."
So how do you stop being lukewarm? It's right there in verse 19: "be zealous and repent!" Being a zealous Christian means that you have great energy or enthusiasm about doing the will of God in your life. And of course, "repent" means that you decide to turn away from sin when it tempts you.
What does a "hot" faith look like?
Practically speaking, there are a few easy things we can do to help heat up our faith to the desired hotness. Pray. Read your Bible. Pray some more! Serve others. Love others. Love God and everything He does. Be forgiving. Be merciful. Truly care about others more than yourself. Talk to God regularly and ask Him for direction in all things.
It's important to note that works or good deeds cannot earn your salvation. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you have already been saved. But your salvation status doesn’t mean that you can live however you want either. God still has a way He wants His children to live; He wants you to be a light in the darkness, salt to the earth (Matthew 5:13-17) so that your life just screams that it is different. And it's how you live your life that will cause people to ask you questions about why you are the way you are. This is a great opportunity to talk to them about your faith in Christ. Hopefully, those conversations will be the seeds God can use to draw them to Him (John 6:44). The way you live your life is the biggest part of your witness as a Christ follower!
When a friend is struggling
How can I be a good friend to someone who has anxiety? This is such a beautiful question. And the answer is both extremely simple and infinitely complex.
Short Answer: Simply love your friend.
Your friendship with a friend who suffers from anxiety may be just like any other on most days. But when their anxiety flares, realize that how your friend needs to experience love may be different than you think. It'll likely be different than what you yourself would want or need. During a period of extreme anxiety, the biggest help you can give your friend is to listen to what they're saying. Discover what they need from you in that moment.
From my experience, for most people, their needs can be boiled down to three things: Patience, presence, and communication.
Have Patience with Them
If you have never struggled with anxiety or depression, one of the hardest things to understand is that anxiety can be utterly crippling. Debilitating anxiety can make it hard to think, process feelings logically, and sometimes, even hard to breathe.
A person struggling with anxiety isn't necessarily ignoring his or her self-worth. They aren't disregarding the real truths they know and recognize on any other day. They aren't trying to avoid trusting in God. Rather, they are caught up in the grip of something they literally cannot control. For many of them, this is as real as an asthma attack, a sugar crash, or a serious migraine. They can't prevent the panic attacks from coming on or stop the emotions and worries racing through them any more than you could control a heart attack.
Our gut instincts may be to try to fix what we perceive to be the problems and stop the anxious thoughts, but I urge you to resist that gut reaction. Trying to "fix" someone's mental health fails for two reasons: 1. We can't actually fix anything ourselves. 2. We might inadvertently add to their anxiety by trying (and failing) to "fix" them.
The best thing you can do for your friend when they are suffering from anxiety is to just patiently wait with them. Don't try to fix and, unless asked, don't offer ways to "make everything better"—especially their raging emotions.
Be Present with Them
Sometimes, your friend will just need to know he or she has a safe place to be. A constant. A lode stone. If your friend allows you to be this for him or her, this is a priceless gift. Even if you aren't that close to each other, you can simply be a good friend. Anxiety is very isolating, and many people find it easier to push everyone away instead of trying to fight their anxieties enough to trust themselves and other people.
Julia Brennan has a beautiful song about fighting things no one else can see and understand. In her song, she asks for her angels to please stay with her, to help her fight. Just being with someone, sitting with them, accepting them in their current state—be that good or bad—is the best thing you can do. When Jesus suffered, He asked only that His friends stay awake with Him for one hour. There will be times when your friend will need this.
But there will be lots of good days too. Don't forget that during the better times, you should be just as attentive as on the bad days. Be a constant friend, a true companion. Laugh when your friend laughs, cry when your friend cries. And let your friend do the same for you.
Communicate with Them
This is true of any friendship, but the importance is emphasized in a relationship with someone who has anxiety. They may need you to repeat things they already know to remind them of the reality of truth. They may need to tell you things but be afraid to tell you. Work at keeping communication open, reserving judgment, and exercising compassion. Make yourself a safe space. Learn to communicate effectively. Gently discover a deeper understanding about where they're coming from. Communication is a two-way street. Be sure you give them loving feedback as well as your own heart, otherwise, the relationship is hollow.
Allow them to be authentic, to express themselves on their messy days as well as their good ones. Remind them of the truths they know when they need it, and enjoy the blessing of a good friend when they return the favor.
Practice True Friendship
All in all, a friendship is a relationship between two broken people. Every relationship has its own flavor, its own dynamic. I have a few friends with differing levels of anxiety, and each one is a bit different in how I approach them. But for each person, I try very hard to listen to what they need, to see if they feel safe with me, and show them unconditional love.
How can I be a good friend to someone who has anxiety? This is such a beautiful question. And the answer is both extremely simple and infinitely complex.
Short Answer: Simply love your friend.
Your friendship with a friend who suffers from anxiety may be just like any other on most days. But when their anxiety flares, realize that how your friend needs to experience love may be different than you think. It'll likely be different than what you yourself would want or need. During a period of extreme anxiety, the biggest help you can give your friend is to listen to what they're saying. Discover what they need from you in that moment.
From my experience, for most people, their needs can be boiled down to three things: Patience, presence, and communication.
Have Patience with Them
If you have never struggled with anxiety or depression, one of the hardest things to understand is that anxiety can be utterly crippling. Debilitating anxiety can make it hard to think, process feelings logically, and sometimes, even hard to breathe.
A person struggling with anxiety isn't necessarily ignoring his or her self-worth. They aren't disregarding the real truths they know and recognize on any other day. They aren't trying to avoid trusting in God. Rather, they are caught up in the grip of something they literally cannot control. For many of them, this is as real as an asthma attack, a sugar crash, or a serious migraine. They can't prevent the panic attacks from coming on or stop the emotions and worries racing through them any more than you could control a heart attack.
Our gut instincts may be to try to fix what we perceive to be the problems and stop the anxious thoughts, but I urge you to resist that gut reaction. Trying to "fix" someone's mental health fails for two reasons: 1. We can't actually fix anything ourselves. 2. We might inadvertently add to their anxiety by trying (and failing) to "fix" them.
The best thing you can do for your friend when they are suffering from anxiety is to just patiently wait with them. Don't try to fix and, unless asked, don't offer ways to "make everything better"—especially their raging emotions.
Be Present with Them
Sometimes, your friend will just need to know he or she has a safe place to be. A constant. A lode stone. If your friend allows you to be this for him or her, this is a priceless gift. Even if you aren't that close to each other, you can simply be a good friend. Anxiety is very isolating, and many people find it easier to push everyone away instead of trying to fight their anxieties enough to trust themselves and other people.
Julia Brennan has a beautiful song about fighting things no one else can see and understand. In her song, she asks for her angels to please stay with her, to help her fight. Just being with someone, sitting with them, accepting them in their current state—be that good or bad—is the best thing you can do. When Jesus suffered, He asked only that His friends stay awake with Him for one hour. There will be times when your friend will need this.
But there will be lots of good days too. Don't forget that during the better times, you should be just as attentive as on the bad days. Be a constant friend, a true companion. Laugh when your friend laughs, cry when your friend cries. And let your friend do the same for you.
Communicate with Them
This is true of any friendship, but the importance is emphasized in a relationship with someone who has anxiety. They may need you to repeat things they already know to remind them of the reality of truth. They may need to tell you things but be afraid to tell you. Work at keeping communication open, reserving judgment, and exercising compassion. Make yourself a safe space. Learn to communicate effectively. Gently discover a deeper understanding about where they're coming from. Communication is a two-way street. Be sure you give them loving feedback as well as your own heart, otherwise, the relationship is hollow.
Allow them to be authentic, to express themselves on their messy days as well as their good ones. Remind them of the truths they know when they need it, and enjoy the blessing of a good friend when they return the favor.
Practice True Friendship
All in all, a friendship is a relationship between two broken people. Every relationship has its own flavor, its own dynamic. I have a few friends with differing levels of anxiety, and each one is a bit different in how I approach them. But for each person, I try very hard to listen to what they need, to see if they feel safe with me, and show them unconditional love.
“Dealing with the mean people”
In life, you will run into people that let you down and disappoint you. Sometimes people don’t say the right thing, or do the right thing. Perhaps they have bullied you or treated you unkindly. What do you do in situations like these when people aren’t treating you with the respect and care you feel like you deserve?
God gives us some help in Matthew 5:44.
“Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (NLT)
That kind of sounds like an impossible task. He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. That goes against what most of us want to do. We want to get even when someone treats us wrong. But the Bible says to love our enemies.
How can we do that? It is really hard to love someone who isn’t doing or saying nice things to you. The good news is this: “For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” – Romans 5:5 (NLT)
This verse shows us that God fills our hearts with His love. This is good news. That means that we don’t have to love our enemies on our own. God will give us the love to love our enemies with. God doesn’t ask us to do something that he doesn’t give us the power to do. Loving your enemies can be hard, but God gives us the love to do it with.
So, no matter what a mean person has done to you, and no matter how bad someone might have hurt you, you still have the responsibility to respond back to them in love. The good news is that God will help you out by giving you the love to do it with. It’s just up to you to believe it and tap into that love that is on the inside of you.
Loving mean people can be hard, but with God’s help you can do it!
In life, you will run into people that let you down and disappoint you. Sometimes people don’t say the right thing, or do the right thing. Perhaps they have bullied you or treated you unkindly. What do you do in situations like these when people aren’t treating you with the respect and care you feel like you deserve?
God gives us some help in Matthew 5:44.
“Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (NLT)
That kind of sounds like an impossible task. He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. That goes against what most of us want to do. We want to get even when someone treats us wrong. But the Bible says to love our enemies.
How can we do that? It is really hard to love someone who isn’t doing or saying nice things to you. The good news is this: “For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” – Romans 5:5 (NLT)
This verse shows us that God fills our hearts with His love. This is good news. That means that we don’t have to love our enemies on our own. God will give us the love to love our enemies with. God doesn’t ask us to do something that he doesn’t give us the power to do. Loving your enemies can be hard, but God gives us the love to do it with.
So, no matter what a mean person has done to you, and no matter how bad someone might have hurt you, you still have the responsibility to respond back to them in love. The good news is that God will help you out by giving you the love to do it with. It’s just up to you to believe it and tap into that love that is on the inside of you.
Loving mean people can be hard, but with God’s help you can do it!
THE POWER OF THOUGHTS
If you’re like most teenagers, you love taking pictures with your iPod, camera, or phone. Each picture you take shows a piece of your life. And some of these are so great, you have to share them on social media or Snapchat so all your friends can see.
I want you to imagine that every thought you have in a day is like a picture stored on your phone. Some you look at and decide “that wasn’t too great- I look stupid” and hit delete.
Did you know that your thoughts are similar to photos? They contain an image. Some thoughts you should choose to keep and others you choose delete. Every day you can scroll through your thoughts and ask yourself “is this thought worth keeping?” So, with that in mind, here’s some tips to help you develop good mental pictures:
1 – Bad Thoughts Can Be Deleted
If you have a thought that is a negative image, one that doesn’t make you smile, then delete it from your thinking.
Many times, we don’t take any time to think about what we think about. Getting into the habit of deleting bad thoughts is important because our self-image is based upon how we think about ourselves.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
The Bible talks about fixing your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure and admirable. If you’re continually thinking thoughts that aren’t good according to this verse’s standard, you should be deleting them. Don’t spend tons of time thinking about things that aren’t good. Instead delete those thoughts and replace them with good thoughts.
2 – Thoughts Can Be Shared.
Each time you take a picture on your phone you have the choice to share it or not. If you really like how you look, most likely, you’ll choose to share it on some social media platform. You want others to see what you’re up to and interact with what you shared.
As you know, everything you post on social media sites reflects you. It’s like a billboard that tells everybody what you are thinking and doing. So, ask yourself, what image are you portraying? Are you posting your fears, your emotions, your hang-ups?
The things you post and speak reflect your thoughts. If you’re constantly speaking negative things and posting negative things, it’s a reflection what you’re thinking about. If you wonder how people see you, just check out what you’re sharing with others.
There’s nothing wrong with sharing your thoughts, but what you say and share often affects your attitude. If you’re always speaking and sharing negative things, often your attitude and outlook will follow. Your attitude is determined by what you think about. Spend time thinking good things and your outlook and attitude will follow.
There’s power in sharing positive things and avoiding spending too much time talking and sharing things that are negative.
If you’re like most teenagers, you love taking pictures with your iPod, camera, or phone. Each picture you take shows a piece of your life. And some of these are so great, you have to share them on social media or Snapchat so all your friends can see.
I want you to imagine that every thought you have in a day is like a picture stored on your phone. Some you look at and decide “that wasn’t too great- I look stupid” and hit delete.
Did you know that your thoughts are similar to photos? They contain an image. Some thoughts you should choose to keep and others you choose delete. Every day you can scroll through your thoughts and ask yourself “is this thought worth keeping?” So, with that in mind, here’s some tips to help you develop good mental pictures:
1 – Bad Thoughts Can Be Deleted
If you have a thought that is a negative image, one that doesn’t make you smile, then delete it from your thinking.
Many times, we don’t take any time to think about what we think about. Getting into the habit of deleting bad thoughts is important because our self-image is based upon how we think about ourselves.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
The Bible talks about fixing your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure and admirable. If you’re continually thinking thoughts that aren’t good according to this verse’s standard, you should be deleting them. Don’t spend tons of time thinking about things that aren’t good. Instead delete those thoughts and replace them with good thoughts.
2 – Thoughts Can Be Shared.
Each time you take a picture on your phone you have the choice to share it or not. If you really like how you look, most likely, you’ll choose to share it on some social media platform. You want others to see what you’re up to and interact with what you shared.
As you know, everything you post on social media sites reflects you. It’s like a billboard that tells everybody what you are thinking and doing. So, ask yourself, what image are you portraying? Are you posting your fears, your emotions, your hang-ups?
The things you post and speak reflect your thoughts. If you’re constantly speaking negative things and posting negative things, it’s a reflection what you’re thinking about. If you wonder how people see you, just check out what you’re sharing with others.
There’s nothing wrong with sharing your thoughts, but what you say and share often affects your attitude. If you’re always speaking and sharing negative things, often your attitude and outlook will follow. Your attitude is determined by what you think about. Spend time thinking good things and your outlook and attitude will follow.
There’s power in sharing positive things and avoiding spending too much time talking and sharing things that are negative.
Life storms
When things build up in your life, do you feel like pulling the covers over your head and sleeping it off? Or are you one to throw off the covers and pace in the middle of the night?
Recently when asked on social media how they handle stress, several people responded. Some exercise, others sing, others even admitted they reach for the chocolate candy bar. Not surprisingly, out of almost thirty responses, only two answered, “I pray.” Everyone else tried to handle things on their own.
Jesus’ disciples reacted in a similar way. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 8, they followed Jesus into a boat and headed out on the Sea of Galilee, which was known for its sudden and violent storms. Waves began to rise and the boat started to rock. The disciples started to stress. But not Jesus.
” Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping” (Matthew 8:24).
I don’t think our Lord was trying to relieve stress by snoozing. I believe the point of the story is that He was not stressed, even in the least. He was at perfect peace, the way a baby contently sleeps on her daddy’s shoulder through all sorts of noise and chaos going on around. Jesus had the “no care in the world” sort of rest. Pure peace. Pure trust that He is safe.
In contrast, Jesus’ disciples were in panic mode. Recall that many of them were seasoned fishermen who had been in these rough waters many times. But that didn’t matter. Their first instinct was to become anxious even though they had traveled with and been in close proximity to their Lord for two or more years.
They did do something correctly. They called on Jesus when the waves began to slosh over their stern. But what happened before that when the tempest began to brew? Were they at first hesitant to disturb Him, thinking He needed his rest after a long day of preaching and healing? Did they first try to do things themselves, thinking that of course they could, only to discover they were literally over their heads with trouble? Maybe these responses all happened. Scripture doesn’t tell us. But eventually they woke Jesus and told Him they were afraid of drowning. He calmed the storm, thus calming them.
I can relate to these men, can’t you? There have been times I was sure I could handle the pressure on my own. Other times I felt odd about disturbing Jesus with my problems when so many others had such comparably bigger ones. And though I’d like to think I walk with Him daily, when it comes to stress building in my life, I have often not turned to Him first, but instead have waited until the pressure feels like an over-inflated balloon about to pop. In other words, turning to God became my last resort. But I did eventually cry out for Abba Father to help me, just as the disciples did. The element of trust was present, just temporarily masked by my anxiousness.
In his contemporary Christian song, Sometimes He Calms the Storm, Scott Krippayne sings that Jesus has the ability to calm the storm, as he did for His disciples, but that He may just calm His child in the middle of the storm. I have experienced the latter more often than the first. How about you?
I once heard that the exhortation not to be anxious (phrased in a variety of ways), is mentioned 365 times in the Bible, one for each day.
If true, perhaps it is an indication that our Lord knows we humans have a tendency to dive into stress mode instead of seeking His peace. So, I try not to stress out over my tendency to get stressed. It just stems from my humanity. Instead, I tell myself, and God, I’ll do better next time. Little by little I am beginning to choose peace first.
Finding peace in the midst of the storm isn’t easy. But, each time I decide to consciously turn off the panic button and instead turn to Jesus, I experience peacefulness coating me like thick maple syrup dripping over a stack of pancakes, seeping inside and sweetening them as it flows. When I choose not to let panic win, then I discover I am more in tune to God’s whispers of love and assurance. He bolsters me, and His strength wraps my weakness like a sports bandage around a frail muscle. As Paul states, "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2Corinthians 2:10).
You’d think I’d choose peace over panic each and every time. I wish I did. I am getting there though; the peace is coming quicker and easier. Perhaps one day I will be more like Jesus and be able to sleep soundly through the storms of stress!
Here is a prayer for you (and me) to pursue the peace of Christ today:
Thank you Lord that you are patient with us who are slow to learn how to seek your peace and instead are quick to stress. Thank you for the times you calm the storms in our lives, or choose instead to calm us so we can rest in your love, no matter what chaotic waves are lapping at our lives. Thank you that we can turn to you and trust in your care. Amen.
When things build up in your life, do you feel like pulling the covers over your head and sleeping it off? Or are you one to throw off the covers and pace in the middle of the night?
Recently when asked on social media how they handle stress, several people responded. Some exercise, others sing, others even admitted they reach for the chocolate candy bar. Not surprisingly, out of almost thirty responses, only two answered, “I pray.” Everyone else tried to handle things on their own.
Jesus’ disciples reacted in a similar way. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 8, they followed Jesus into a boat and headed out on the Sea of Galilee, which was known for its sudden and violent storms. Waves began to rise and the boat started to rock. The disciples started to stress. But not Jesus.
” Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping” (Matthew 8:24).
I don’t think our Lord was trying to relieve stress by snoozing. I believe the point of the story is that He was not stressed, even in the least. He was at perfect peace, the way a baby contently sleeps on her daddy’s shoulder through all sorts of noise and chaos going on around. Jesus had the “no care in the world” sort of rest. Pure peace. Pure trust that He is safe.
In contrast, Jesus’ disciples were in panic mode. Recall that many of them were seasoned fishermen who had been in these rough waters many times. But that didn’t matter. Their first instinct was to become anxious even though they had traveled with and been in close proximity to their Lord for two or more years.
They did do something correctly. They called on Jesus when the waves began to slosh over their stern. But what happened before that when the tempest began to brew? Were they at first hesitant to disturb Him, thinking He needed his rest after a long day of preaching and healing? Did they first try to do things themselves, thinking that of course they could, only to discover they were literally over their heads with trouble? Maybe these responses all happened. Scripture doesn’t tell us. But eventually they woke Jesus and told Him they were afraid of drowning. He calmed the storm, thus calming them.
I can relate to these men, can’t you? There have been times I was sure I could handle the pressure on my own. Other times I felt odd about disturbing Jesus with my problems when so many others had such comparably bigger ones. And though I’d like to think I walk with Him daily, when it comes to stress building in my life, I have often not turned to Him first, but instead have waited until the pressure feels like an over-inflated balloon about to pop. In other words, turning to God became my last resort. But I did eventually cry out for Abba Father to help me, just as the disciples did. The element of trust was present, just temporarily masked by my anxiousness.
In his contemporary Christian song, Sometimes He Calms the Storm, Scott Krippayne sings that Jesus has the ability to calm the storm, as he did for His disciples, but that He may just calm His child in the middle of the storm. I have experienced the latter more often than the first. How about you?
I once heard that the exhortation not to be anxious (phrased in a variety of ways), is mentioned 365 times in the Bible, one for each day.
If true, perhaps it is an indication that our Lord knows we humans have a tendency to dive into stress mode instead of seeking His peace. So, I try not to stress out over my tendency to get stressed. It just stems from my humanity. Instead, I tell myself, and God, I’ll do better next time. Little by little I am beginning to choose peace first.
Finding peace in the midst of the storm isn’t easy. But, each time I decide to consciously turn off the panic button and instead turn to Jesus, I experience peacefulness coating me like thick maple syrup dripping over a stack of pancakes, seeping inside and sweetening them as it flows. When I choose not to let panic win, then I discover I am more in tune to God’s whispers of love and assurance. He bolsters me, and His strength wraps my weakness like a sports bandage around a frail muscle. As Paul states, "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2Corinthians 2:10).
You’d think I’d choose peace over panic each and every time. I wish I did. I am getting there though; the peace is coming quicker and easier. Perhaps one day I will be more like Jesus and be able to sleep soundly through the storms of stress!
Here is a prayer for you (and me) to pursue the peace of Christ today:
Thank you Lord that you are patient with us who are slow to learn how to seek your peace and instead are quick to stress. Thank you for the times you calm the storms in our lives, or choose instead to calm us so we can rest in your love, no matter what chaotic waves are lapping at our lives. Thank you that we can turn to you and trust in your care. Amen.
Any Room?
Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Matthew 8:20
Most wild creatures have a home, a place they go to rest. Some have a den or use a hollow tree for a place to live. Bald eagles build gigantic nests, orioles build impressive hanging nests. Where we live in northern Canada, bears carve out a hole to curl up in for the winter.
Many of us have a room we can go to where we hang out, do homework and catch a few zzzzz’s or just have some quiet time out. If we’re cold, we just crank up the thermostat a bit. Too hot? Flip on the AC. Not everyone has that luxury though, and many who do, just take their room for granted.
If you study the life of Jesus, it’s pretty clear that He spent many nights in different places. He had no cozy room or place to lay his head. Those who followed Jesus in His travels through Palestine would have no permanent place to retire. Any place they found was just temporary. We read of Jesus resting in places like the Mount of Olives or a small fishing boat. Often, He ate at someone’s home. Sometimes, He was chillin with dear friends like Lazarus, Mary, and Martha and many times, He was alone. He often felt the chill of night and the damp of dew. Comforts that we take for granted were not a part of his life.
Today, Jesus is still looking for a place to live – in our hearts and in our lives. Are we so busy with things, friends, activities, and commitments that we have no room for Him? Do we set aside time in our daily lives where He can lay His head? Is the doorway of our lives clean and clutter free so He can come in and be welcome? In all the crazy busy of life, can I challenge you today to make room for Jesus. The one who loves you and died in your place.
Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Matthew 8:20
Most wild creatures have a home, a place they go to rest. Some have a den or use a hollow tree for a place to live. Bald eagles build gigantic nests, orioles build impressive hanging nests. Where we live in northern Canada, bears carve out a hole to curl up in for the winter.
Many of us have a room we can go to where we hang out, do homework and catch a few zzzzz’s or just have some quiet time out. If we’re cold, we just crank up the thermostat a bit. Too hot? Flip on the AC. Not everyone has that luxury though, and many who do, just take their room for granted.
If you study the life of Jesus, it’s pretty clear that He spent many nights in different places. He had no cozy room or place to lay his head. Those who followed Jesus in His travels through Palestine would have no permanent place to retire. Any place they found was just temporary. We read of Jesus resting in places like the Mount of Olives or a small fishing boat. Often, He ate at someone’s home. Sometimes, He was chillin with dear friends like Lazarus, Mary, and Martha and many times, He was alone. He often felt the chill of night and the damp of dew. Comforts that we take for granted were not a part of his life.
Today, Jesus is still looking for a place to live – in our hearts and in our lives. Are we so busy with things, friends, activities, and commitments that we have no room for Him? Do we set aside time in our daily lives where He can lay His head? Is the doorway of our lives clean and clutter free so He can come in and be welcome? In all the crazy busy of life, can I challenge you today to make room for Jesus. The one who loves you and died in your place.
- Pastor Glenn
You have a choice
Are you a leader or a follower?
A lot of people today are afraid of not being accepted or fitting in. As a result, they find it easier to just go with the flow, going where everybody else is going and doing whatever the rest are doing. How many times have you found yourself in an "I know I shouldn't..... but situation "?
To quote a line in a Newsboys song: go with the flow and the flow will drown you, I’m reminded of a scripture verse.
"Choose you this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15) The thing that sets all mortals apart is the ability to make choices. Most importantly, we have the power to choose - including the relationships we develop.
Recently, I visited my old school. Upon seeing again, the playgrounds, bad memories began to emerge for I had been a prankster with a haughty spirit, causing myself many troubles. There was the fight with a former friend, a girl's tears for a torn dress caused by my chasing, and feelings of not "fitting in". But there were also good memories as I recalled my first "love" for a pretty blonde girl. I gladly endured the eyes and the chants of the other children as we walked together. While this choice was not considered "in" by the boys, it remains one of my better memories.
But there was a time a few years later when I made a particularly bad choice. In the school cafeteria, a girl slipped and fell. As she fell, her dress flew up and her plastic plate and bowl went bouncing across the hard tile floor. As a boy, I thought that was the funniest thing I ever saw, laughing, jeering, and pointing a finger for others to see. The poor embarrassed girl had to get up by herself and collect her strewn utensils and feelings. But for me, there followed in later years a lifetime of remorse for what was as opposed to what could have been. If I could re-enact the scene now, I would immediately go to help her up, grab some napkins for her to clean her dress, offer kind words, gather her dishes, and escort her to where she would go. But it can never be.
A lifetime later, as I walked into the school building, I remembered a sense of foreboding. I knew only too well where the principal's office was located for I had been a frequent visitor there as a troubled little boy. I walked through the open door of the office half expecting to meet again the stern, piercing eyes of the former principal. She was not there. Instead, I was greeted by a man near my own age. I showed him my "credentials" of old class photographs of myself, my classmates, teachers, and the former principal. He was absolutely delighted to see them and proceeded to give me the "grand tour" of the building, sparing no details of improvements and future plans. How things had changed during the 40 years since I had last walked these halls! As we came to the cafeteria, I expected again to be stabbed by an age-old remorse. But suddenly, the atmosphere seemed to completely change as the sunshine of the principal's cordiality melted away the guilt and conveyed a sense of belonging and acceptance.
After extending my thanks and taking leave, I knew immediately that it was good to have visited the school. I realized that more had changed than just the school building. I came to accept myself as the boy that I was. While I cannot change the past, I can choose to use it for reference to help build better relationships today. Sure, I will probably "blow it" a few more times, but with each mistake comes the opportunity of choice on how to deal with the mistake.
I have related this true life's story to offer a point: You have the power today to choose the course for your relationships with others. You can choose to try to be "in" with the critics, you can jeer and point a finger at others, you can scoff at someone's mistake, you can even choose to just stick your head in the sand and let others do what needs to be done by themselves - Or, you can choose to offer help, to involve yourself, and to comfort the down-fallen. You have the awesome power to develop relationships and memories to last forever - you have the power of choice in every area of life!
Fear vs Trust
Everywhere you look, you can see hurt and despair in the eyes of people.
Terror and tragedy has a tendency to cause us to be anxious and depressed about
the future.
In Romans 8 God’s word says he will work all things out for good, but we need to
be around people who will continually lift us up and remind us of the goodness
of God. It is important to keep reading God’s word, and ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and
insight about our situation. We need to pray and praise God, even when we don’t feel like it.
Grab a Bible and check out Job 3 and see what beautiful lessons the Lord has given
us in his word to increase our faith.
Job was going through a horrible season of testing from the LORD. He had lost his children, livestock, most of his servants, and now his body was wasting away with a plague of painful boils from head to toe.
Three of his friends came to visit and sat patiently with him for a few days grieving…totally at a loss for words. Job had not sinned with his mouth up until this time, but suddenly his grief was more than he could bear and he began to curse the day of his birth. His soul was in bitter misery and he longed for death… but it did not come.
He questioned why would his loving Father, do such a thing to him?
Sighing he cried…
For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me,
and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
Job 3:25
Job was in agony with no one to encourage him. His wife had become bitter and told him to curse God and die. Job didn’t understand that God sometimes allows suffering to come upon even those who are righteous, to test and strengthen their faith.
God’s word says…
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is
to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings;
that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also
with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13
Today you may be in a season of trials and suffering to refine and test your faith. You may have given up hope and are cutting or even contemplating suicide.
God wants to encourage you as you read this and reveal some valuable lessons from our brother Job.
The things Job feared came upon him.
God says in his word, he has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
Fear is a negative spirit from Satan to make us afraid.
F alse
E vidence
A ppearing
R eal
When it comes, we must saturate ourselves with God’s word to remind us how much he loves us. Friends and family members may loose hope and not be there to encourage us. During times like these we must pray for the God of all comfort, to breathe life and strength into our body and spirit.
We must ask God to send us encourager and seek out those we trust to be our prayer partners and friends. Cursing God or wishing you were dead won’t change your circumstances.
God loves you so much he sent his only Son Jesus to die for your sins and mine. He watched in agony as his son was whipped, cursed, spit upon and nailed to the cross.
He stretched out his hands as if to say…I love you this much! If spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, will he not also give us all things.
Cry out to your Father and offer to him the sacrifice of praise… even in the midst of your suffering.
Listen for his still soft voice beloved saying…Fear not, I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will hold you with my right hand of righteousness.
Trust that he has a plan, greater than you can understand right now… He has promised to never leave you or forsake you.
King David also experienced many times of pain and sorrow in his life. He left us beautiful Psalms to bring us hope and encouragement.
Open up God’s word and watch him pour his healing balm over your wounds and scars…
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of
the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of
good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait,
I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14
Merciful Father,
Thank you for the stories of Job to encourage my heart.
Forgive my fear and doubts. I know that any suffering
you allow is to help me grow in faith and refine me
for the work you have called me to do. Purify my
heart and transform me into the likeness of your Son.
I know you love me and trust you to lead me through
this valley of suffering into the light. Help me to use
my testimony to encourage others and win souls for
the kingdom.
When my parents, friends, and family forsake me, I
know you will lift me up and provide all I need.
Put a watch over my mouth and heart, that I do
not curse, complain, or sin against you.
I wait expectantly for your help and deliverance
and thank you in advance, for always hearing
and answering my prayers.
All praise and glory goes to you, my Strength
and Redeemer!
Let your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according to our hope in you.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears…
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all
this trouble. Psalm 34:4,6
Answers in times of suffering
During our life here on earth we all will suffer seasons of hardship, sickness,
and adversity. During those times, it is vitally important to keep listening
to God’s voice through his word and praise him, even in the tough times.
God gives us many examples of suffering in scripture to gain wisdom and
insight from. One of the great heroes of faith in the Old Testament is Job.
Let’s open our hearts and learn valuable life changing lessons
from Job 2.
Job was being tested majorly by the LORD. He lost his 10 children, his
animals, and most of his servants in one day…
Yet in all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job 1:22
Again, the angels of the LORD appeared before him and Satan was among
them.
The LORD said to Satan, where have you come from?
Satan said, from walking up and down upon the earth.
The LORD said, have you considered my servant Job. There
is no one like him in the earth. He is a perfect and upright
man, one who fears God and shuns evil. He has held fast
to his integrity, although you moved me against him, to
destroy him without a cause.
Satan mocked, Skin for Skin! If you touch his flesh and bone
he will curse you to your face.
The LORD said, Job is in your hand, but you cannot take his life.
Satan went from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with
horrible boils, from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
The itching and pain was so intense, Job sat down in a pile of
ashes and scraped them with a piece of broken pottery.
Job’s wife was in a state of deep grief and depression and said, do you still remain
your integrity? Curse God and die!
Before we are too hard on Mrs. Job, we have to remember that she
had suffered the horrible loss with her husband. Instead of praising
God though, she became bitter and angry at God and perhaps thought
her suffering was because of him.
Job wisely replied, you are speaking like a foolish woman.
Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?
Job 2:10
In all this, Job did not sin with his mouth.
Three of Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar heard of his
adversity and came to visit their friend.
When they first saw Job, they hardly recognized him.
They mourned and wept bitterly with Job, tore their clothes, and
sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. They sat down
with Job for 7 days and nights, not speaking a word, for
they saw his grief was great.
Today you may be suffering from adversity or pain like our
brother Job.
Though he had not sinned, God allow him to be tested to
prove his faithfulness.
Job faithfully trusted in the mercy of God, even when his wife
refused to be loving and supportive to him.
She too was in pain for over the loss of her children, but
had become bitter and hardened toward God and indifferent
toward her husband.
Job was comforted by his friends, who grieve with him,
without saying a word.
God loves you so much beloved, that he sent his only
Son Jesus to die for your sins.
He sees your pain and knows how much you’re hurting.
Jesus was mocked, spit upon, beaten and crucified on the cross
for the sins of the whole world.
Because of his suffering, he understands our pain and
promises to never leave us or forsake us.
He said, these things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might
have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of
good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
He holds all power in heaven and earth. Though God sometimes
allows suffering to refine and test us, he has complete control
over how much we are caused to endure.
Satan was allowed to afflict Job in horrible ways, yet he was
not given the power to take his life.
Jesus conquered the powers of Satan when he rose from the
grave.
This same resurrecting power can sustain us through any trial
or adversity, God allows.
We must remember we are being refined like gold, to purify
our hearts and minds to be like Jesus.
If we suffer with him, we will one-day reign with him.
Trust him, precious one.
Call upon him in your day of trouble. He will deliver you,
and you will glorify him.
Cast all your cares upon him, for he cares for you.
Father of all comfort,
How grateful we are for the stories of Job to explain
some of our sufferings in this world. We know that
you love us and somehow will work all things out
for good.
Forgive our grumbling and complaining over things
we must endure. They are not worthy to be compared
with the glory that will be revealed to us.
Flood our souls with inner peace and bring comfort to
all who are suffering or afflicted. Renew their strength
like the eagle so they may run and not be weary,
and walk and not be faint.
Help us to learn from our adversity, to be faithful witnesses
to give glory to your name.
We look forward to the day when there will be no more
pain or sorrow. Dry our tears and ignite us with hope
and faith to endure until the day you call us home to
be with you in heaven.
Father bless us with godly leaders who will honor and respect
your laws. Take out of power the wicked and confuse the plots
of our enemies. Raise us godly men and women who will stand
up for what’s right, even if they stand alone with you sustaining them.
Father we ask for protection of our troops fighting in wars throughout
the world. Keep them strong, safe, and encouraged. Bring them home
soon to their families and give us peace.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
John 16:23
HELP ME TO ACCEPT YOUR WILL
My heart is now consumed with grief.
I feel so lost, so frail and weak.
In helplessness, I must depend…
On you for strength, that will not bend.
Help me to accept your will.
For only then, can I fulfill…
The hopes and plans prepared for me.
To show your love to all I see.
For if I bear my cross with pride,
your saving grace I cannot hide.
Abiding in your hope will bring…
Praises to my God and King.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them
that have no might he increases strength.
Isaiah 40:29
Be encouraged today
Pastor Glenn
During our life here on earth we all will suffer seasons of hardship, sickness,
and adversity. During those times, it is vitally important to keep listening
to God’s voice through his word and praise him, even in the tough times.
God gives us many examples of suffering in scripture to gain wisdom and
insight from. One of the great heroes of faith in the Old Testament is Job.
Let’s open our hearts and learn valuable life changing lessons
from Job 2.
Job was being tested majorly by the LORD. He lost his 10 children, his
animals, and most of his servants in one day…
Yet in all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job 1:22
Again, the angels of the LORD appeared before him and Satan was among
them.
The LORD said to Satan, where have you come from?
Satan said, from walking up and down upon the earth.
The LORD said, have you considered my servant Job. There
is no one like him in the earth. He is a perfect and upright
man, one who fears God and shuns evil. He has held fast
to his integrity, although you moved me against him, to
destroy him without a cause.
Satan mocked, Skin for Skin! If you touch his flesh and bone
he will curse you to your face.
The LORD said, Job is in your hand, but you cannot take his life.
Satan went from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with
horrible boils, from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
The itching and pain was so intense, Job sat down in a pile of
ashes and scraped them with a piece of broken pottery.
Job’s wife was in a state of deep grief and depression and said, do you still remain
your integrity? Curse God and die!
Before we are too hard on Mrs. Job, we have to remember that she
had suffered the horrible loss with her husband. Instead of praising
God though, she became bitter and angry at God and perhaps thought
her suffering was because of him.
Job wisely replied, you are speaking like a foolish woman.
Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?
Job 2:10
In all this, Job did not sin with his mouth.
Three of Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar heard of his
adversity and came to visit their friend.
When they first saw Job, they hardly recognized him.
They mourned and wept bitterly with Job, tore their clothes, and
sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. They sat down
with Job for 7 days and nights, not speaking a word, for
they saw his grief was great.
Today you may be suffering from adversity or pain like our
brother Job.
Though he had not sinned, God allow him to be tested to
prove his faithfulness.
Job faithfully trusted in the mercy of God, even when his wife
refused to be loving and supportive to him.
She too was in pain for over the loss of her children, but
had become bitter and hardened toward God and indifferent
toward her husband.
Job was comforted by his friends, who grieve with him,
without saying a word.
God loves you so much beloved, that he sent his only
Son Jesus to die for your sins.
He sees your pain and knows how much you’re hurting.
Jesus was mocked, spit upon, beaten and crucified on the cross
for the sins of the whole world.
Because of his suffering, he understands our pain and
promises to never leave us or forsake us.
He said, these things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might
have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of
good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
He holds all power in heaven and earth. Though God sometimes
allows suffering to refine and test us, he has complete control
over how much we are caused to endure.
Satan was allowed to afflict Job in horrible ways, yet he was
not given the power to take his life.
Jesus conquered the powers of Satan when he rose from the
grave.
This same resurrecting power can sustain us through any trial
or adversity, God allows.
We must remember we are being refined like gold, to purify
our hearts and minds to be like Jesus.
If we suffer with him, we will one-day reign with him.
Trust him, precious one.
Call upon him in your day of trouble. He will deliver you,
and you will glorify him.
Cast all your cares upon him, for he cares for you.
Father of all comfort,
How grateful we are for the stories of Job to explain
some of our sufferings in this world. We know that
you love us and somehow will work all things out
for good.
Forgive our grumbling and complaining over things
we must endure. They are not worthy to be compared
with the glory that will be revealed to us.
Flood our souls with inner peace and bring comfort to
all who are suffering or afflicted. Renew their strength
like the eagle so they may run and not be weary,
and walk and not be faint.
Help us to learn from our adversity, to be faithful witnesses
to give glory to your name.
We look forward to the day when there will be no more
pain or sorrow. Dry our tears and ignite us with hope
and faith to endure until the day you call us home to
be with you in heaven.
Father bless us with godly leaders who will honor and respect
your laws. Take out of power the wicked and confuse the plots
of our enemies. Raise us godly men and women who will stand
up for what’s right, even if they stand alone with you sustaining them.
Father we ask for protection of our troops fighting in wars throughout
the world. Keep them strong, safe, and encouraged. Bring them home
soon to their families and give us peace.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
John 16:23
HELP ME TO ACCEPT YOUR WILL
My heart is now consumed with grief.
I feel so lost, so frail and weak.
In helplessness, I must depend…
On you for strength, that will not bend.
Help me to accept your will.
For only then, can I fulfill…
The hopes and plans prepared for me.
To show your love to all I see.
For if I bear my cross with pride,
your saving grace I cannot hide.
Abiding in your hope will bring…
Praises to my God and King.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them
that have no might he increases strength.
Isaiah 40:29
Be encouraged today
Pastor Glenn
Keeping commitments
It’s easy to get caught up in those spiritual awakenings where we’re so caught up in the moment we start making commitments to God before really thinking about what we’re asking of ourselves? This happens all the time at youth conventions, prayer meetings, and more. We feel God moving all around us, and sometimes we’re filled with a desire to do something that we soon get overwhelmed by what we just promised, and then those commitments go unmet.
Same thing for commitments we make to friends and family. Promises and commitments shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here are some ways we can ensure we stick to our commitments and fulfill our promises to God and others:
Start Simple
Some commitments are complicated, and we can get caught up in how overwhelming they may seem. Suddenly a simple promise balloons into an anxiety-inducing burden. One way to keep to our commitments is to break it down into smaller pieces or tasks. it’s basically taking things one step at a time so that you can meet the end goal of the commitment.
Do Daily Check Ins
We can also get overwhelmed by the broad nature of our commitments, and sometimes we’re so focused on the end goal that we get lost in the day to day. So, set a time each day with yourself to check in and ensure that you’re where you need to be with your commitments.
Ask for Help
One of the most difficult things of us to do sometimes is ask for help.
Yet God places people in our lives to assist us when we need it. Just because you made promise doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. There are youth workers, pastors, friends, family, teachers and more that are all there ready to help you when you need it. There’s God waiting for you to ask Him to help you fulfill your commitments.
Be Okay with Mistakes
Just because you made a commitment doesn’t mean you’re going to be perfect. We all make mistakes, even when we’re trying to do something great. We fail, and we get up again. We do something wrong, and we fix it. Don’t let a simple mistake derail you from sticking to your commitment.
Negate Negativity
Every time you turn to a negative thought, insert “but” after it. For instance, “I just can’t figure this out” becomes “I just can’t figure this out, but…I can ask my teacher to explain it again.” Don’t let negative thoughts take over. There are always going to be obstacles, but negative thoughts allow us to become mired in the problems versus turning them into something positive and finding the solutions.
Research the Situation
One way to stick to our commitments is to understand what we’re getting ourselves into. There are consequences to promises, good and bad. The more we prepare for those consequences, especially the bad ones, the easier it is to deal with them when they appear. So, do some research. For instance, if you promised God that you’d start a Bible study at church, know that not everyone is going to jump at it, and that it may take effort to get it started.
Put it in Your Face
Sometimes we make a commitment and it just fades away over time, mostly because we aren’t focusing on it like we should. Some people find that putting a reminder of their promises where they can see them every single day is a way to stick to their promises. Something like a note hung up by your mirror, a symbol of the commitment on your dresser, etc. can go a long way in reminding us that we’re doing something we promised to do.
It’s easy to get caught up in those spiritual awakenings where we’re so caught up in the moment we start making commitments to God before really thinking about what we’re asking of ourselves? This happens all the time at youth conventions, prayer meetings, and more. We feel God moving all around us, and sometimes we’re filled with a desire to do something that we soon get overwhelmed by what we just promised, and then those commitments go unmet.
Same thing for commitments we make to friends and family. Promises and commitments shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here are some ways we can ensure we stick to our commitments and fulfill our promises to God and others:
Start Simple
Some commitments are complicated, and we can get caught up in how overwhelming they may seem. Suddenly a simple promise balloons into an anxiety-inducing burden. One way to keep to our commitments is to break it down into smaller pieces or tasks. it’s basically taking things one step at a time so that you can meet the end goal of the commitment.
Do Daily Check Ins
We can also get overwhelmed by the broad nature of our commitments, and sometimes we’re so focused on the end goal that we get lost in the day to day. So, set a time each day with yourself to check in and ensure that you’re where you need to be with your commitments.
Ask for Help
One of the most difficult things of us to do sometimes is ask for help.
Yet God places people in our lives to assist us when we need it. Just because you made promise doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. There are youth workers, pastors, friends, family, teachers and more that are all there ready to help you when you need it. There’s God waiting for you to ask Him to help you fulfill your commitments.
Be Okay with Mistakes
Just because you made a commitment doesn’t mean you’re going to be perfect. We all make mistakes, even when we’re trying to do something great. We fail, and we get up again. We do something wrong, and we fix it. Don’t let a simple mistake derail you from sticking to your commitment.
Negate Negativity
Every time you turn to a negative thought, insert “but” after it. For instance, “I just can’t figure this out” becomes “I just can’t figure this out, but…I can ask my teacher to explain it again.” Don’t let negative thoughts take over. There are always going to be obstacles, but negative thoughts allow us to become mired in the problems versus turning them into something positive and finding the solutions.
Research the Situation
One way to stick to our commitments is to understand what we’re getting ourselves into. There are consequences to promises, good and bad. The more we prepare for those consequences, especially the bad ones, the easier it is to deal with them when they appear. So, do some research. For instance, if you promised God that you’d start a Bible study at church, know that not everyone is going to jump at it, and that it may take effort to get it started.
Put it in Your Face
Sometimes we make a commitment and it just fades away over time, mostly because we aren’t focusing on it like we should. Some people find that putting a reminder of their promises where they can see them every single day is a way to stick to their promises. Something like a note hung up by your mirror, a symbol of the commitment on your dresser, etc. can go a long way in reminding us that we’re doing something we promised to do.
7 Steps to forgiveness
Forgiveness can be gut-wrenching, hard work. It's also a process that can take time, especially if the wounds are deep. But forgiveness opens the way for you to be healed. Sometimes, it even restores the broken relationship.
If you know you need to forgive, but you also know that your heart is not ready, start with step one and go from there.
1. Name the offense as clearly as possible. It’s hard for us to forgive something that isn't clear to us. **
2. Find someone trustworthy and non-judgmental to listen to your story. Having someone listen and understand is a powerful part of healing. Journaling prayers to God, crying with a trusted friend, or seeking help from a qualified counselor are all effective ways to open up about your story.
3. Let yourself feel the pain. We all want to skip this part. Even Jesus prayed to the Father, asking to skip the cross (Matthew 26:39). Yet the pain Jesus endured because of our sin was part of God’s plan. Often, we’d prefer to be angry because we think it will hurt less. However, forgiveness requires allowing ourselves to feel and express the pain caused by others’ actions.
4. Know that some of your feelings will be ugly. It doesn’t help to tell yourself that you “shouldn’t feel that way.” The fact is you do feel that way. Facing the truth before God is the beginning of freedom (John 8:32).
5. Make an honest assessment of your reaction to the harm done to you. Often our reactions are as sinful as the offense against us. This awareness will help you keep a realistic perspective as you wade through your feelings and take responsibility for how you may have hurt others.
6. Decide whether you want to confront the offender. The rule of thumb I use is simple. If it’s a relationship I want to preserve, I make the effort. If not, I let it go. We all have finite amounts of emotional energy. It isn’t wise to spend it in unprofitable places. Prayer will help clarify your decision.
7. Understand that forgiveness takes time. Sometimes it takes years. Starting out, it may be a daily battle not to accuse the other person over and over in your mind, but as you persevere and seek God's help, forgiveness will become easier and you will find joy and freedom.
We all need forgiveness, especially forgiveness from God. If you're not sure whether or not you are totally forgiven by God, you can make sure today.
Forgiveness can be gut-wrenching, hard work. It's also a process that can take time, especially if the wounds are deep. But forgiveness opens the way for you to be healed. Sometimes, it even restores the broken relationship.
If you know you need to forgive, but you also know that your heart is not ready, start with step one and go from there.
1. Name the offense as clearly as possible. It’s hard for us to forgive something that isn't clear to us. **
2. Find someone trustworthy and non-judgmental to listen to your story. Having someone listen and understand is a powerful part of healing. Journaling prayers to God, crying with a trusted friend, or seeking help from a qualified counselor are all effective ways to open up about your story.
3. Let yourself feel the pain. We all want to skip this part. Even Jesus prayed to the Father, asking to skip the cross (Matthew 26:39). Yet the pain Jesus endured because of our sin was part of God’s plan. Often, we’d prefer to be angry because we think it will hurt less. However, forgiveness requires allowing ourselves to feel and express the pain caused by others’ actions.
4. Know that some of your feelings will be ugly. It doesn’t help to tell yourself that you “shouldn’t feel that way.” The fact is you do feel that way. Facing the truth before God is the beginning of freedom (John 8:32).
5. Make an honest assessment of your reaction to the harm done to you. Often our reactions are as sinful as the offense against us. This awareness will help you keep a realistic perspective as you wade through your feelings and take responsibility for how you may have hurt others.
6. Decide whether you want to confront the offender. The rule of thumb I use is simple. If it’s a relationship I want to preserve, I make the effort. If not, I let it go. We all have finite amounts of emotional energy. It isn’t wise to spend it in unprofitable places. Prayer will help clarify your decision.
7. Understand that forgiveness takes time. Sometimes it takes years. Starting out, it may be a daily battle not to accuse the other person over and over in your mind, but as you persevere and seek God's help, forgiveness will become easier and you will find joy and freedom.
We all need forgiveness, especially forgiveness from God. If you're not sure whether or not you are totally forgiven by God, you can make sure today.
Hold on, even when it hurts
There are times in our lives when our faith starts to waiver, or we’re disappointed
when pain comes into our life.
A few weeks ago, my back went out and I couldn’t stand up straight.
For 4 days I was in agony and could barely get out of bed.
I hurt too much to try to get dress or even shower.
I felt isolated and lonely.
My husband was loving and supportive, but said he felt rather helpless…not
knowing what to do to help or comfort me.
As I laid there, prayerfully asking for God to help and heal me…I found comfort
in recalling the wonderful stories in the Bible where Jesus miraculously helped
and healed people…who were going through times of stress and adversity.
It’s vitally important to not give up hope and trust God, even when we don’t understand.
The Bible says…
Now faith is the substance of things hopes for, the evidence
of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
The Bible lists many heroes of faith and it’s important to study their
trials and tests, so we can learn to faithfully endure.
Abraham was a great hero of faith. God promised him, he would
be the father of many nations and he believed…even though
his wife Sarah had been barren for many years.
Imagine one-day God tells you to leave your home and go
to a place where he would show you.
Obedience was a vital first step to beginning
an intimate relationship with God and bringing
blessings into his life.
Abraham had to leave his family, because he lived
in a pagan country with those who worshipped idols.
His wife Sarah was loving and supportive, even though it
would mean living in a tent for the rest of their lives.
They endured hardship and adversity, trusting God knew
what was best for their lives…looking for a city which had
foundations, whose builder and maker was God.
Through faith, Sara herself received seed, and had a child
when she was 90 years old, because she believed God
was faithful to his promises.
Years later, God tested Abraham’s faith again, asking him
to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Abraham did not question or try to argue with God.
He tied up his son, and was ready to kill him.
Abraham knew God was the Creator of all life,
and believed he had the power to resurrect his son, if he
chose.
Isaac didn’t fight or run from his father, but trusted
God’s request would work out for good.
God honored their faith, by providing a sacrifice and
spared the life of Isaac.
God’s word says…But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
We cannot please God, if we don’t have faith in his power to
accomplish the impossible.
For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:23
Noah was another hero of faith. The world was evil and God
was sorry he ever created man. Noah and his family were
the only godly people left, so he divinely warned him to
build an ark.
Imagine explaining to your wife and family why you want to
build a boat, large enough to house thousands of animals,
when it had never rained before.
Noah and his family were receptive to God’s call and
did exactly what he asked them to do, even though
it took 120 years to build the ark.
People probably laughed and made fun of them, yet
their faith did not waver.
Because of their obedience and trust in the LORD’S
will, Noah and his family’s lives were spared.
Faith comes from hearing…. Romans 10:17
We must meditate on God’s word night and day,
to feed and nourish our spirit.
We must believe He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
By faith, the children of Israel passed through the
Red Sea on dry ground. The Egyptians who were
pursuing them, were drowned…because the hand
of the LORD was with them.
Today, you may be depressed or discouraged about
the future. I encourage you to spend time in God’s
word and learn how great and awesome our Father is.
He loved you so much that he gave his only son to die
for your sins on the cross at Calvary.
Jesus loves you unconditionally, beloved. In faith, he trusted his Father,
and endured the suffering and punishment we deserve for our sins.
God tests and disciplines his children, so they will become strong disciples
and witnesses of his power.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are
in heaviness through manifold temptations; That the trial of your faith,
being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried
with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the
appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Whatever you’re facing, God has promised to never leave
or forsake you.
He lovingly has restored me back to health and I am thankful for the opportunity
to share my faith and times of testing with you.
The Bible says…
If you canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23
Run to his outstretched arms of mercy and lay your sins
down at the foot of the cross.
As him to increase your faith and give you the courage
to begin a new life today…free from the past.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraided not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering. For he that wavered is like a wave of the sea driven
with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive
any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8
Let’s pray…
Merciful Father,
Help us to fight the good fight of faith and become vigilant disciples to witness and
share our faith with others. We believe that all things are possible with you, and you are
a rewarder of those who diligently seek you.
We are justified by faith in Christ Jesus, and now Abraham’s descendants.
We are in covenant relationship with you and all the children of God
through faith in your Son. There is neither Jew nor Greek, male or female,
bond or free. We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Father, thank you for renewing our strength like the eagle; so, we can run and not be
weary, and walk and not faint. All praise and glory goes to you, our Great Physician and Healer.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the
victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believeth
that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4-5
- Julia Martin
There are times in our lives when our faith starts to waiver, or we’re disappointed
when pain comes into our life.
A few weeks ago, my back went out and I couldn’t stand up straight.
For 4 days I was in agony and could barely get out of bed.
I hurt too much to try to get dress or even shower.
I felt isolated and lonely.
My husband was loving and supportive, but said he felt rather helpless…not
knowing what to do to help or comfort me.
As I laid there, prayerfully asking for God to help and heal me…I found comfort
in recalling the wonderful stories in the Bible where Jesus miraculously helped
and healed people…who were going through times of stress and adversity.
It’s vitally important to not give up hope and trust God, even when we don’t understand.
The Bible says…
Now faith is the substance of things hopes for, the evidence
of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
The Bible lists many heroes of faith and it’s important to study their
trials and tests, so we can learn to faithfully endure.
Abraham was a great hero of faith. God promised him, he would
be the father of many nations and he believed…even though
his wife Sarah had been barren for many years.
Imagine one-day God tells you to leave your home and go
to a place where he would show you.
Obedience was a vital first step to beginning
an intimate relationship with God and bringing
blessings into his life.
Abraham had to leave his family, because he lived
in a pagan country with those who worshipped idols.
His wife Sarah was loving and supportive, even though it
would mean living in a tent for the rest of their lives.
They endured hardship and adversity, trusting God knew
what was best for their lives…looking for a city which had
foundations, whose builder and maker was God.
Through faith, Sara herself received seed, and had a child
when she was 90 years old, because she believed God
was faithful to his promises.
Years later, God tested Abraham’s faith again, asking him
to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Abraham did not question or try to argue with God.
He tied up his son, and was ready to kill him.
Abraham knew God was the Creator of all life,
and believed he had the power to resurrect his son, if he
chose.
Isaac didn’t fight or run from his father, but trusted
God’s request would work out for good.
God honored their faith, by providing a sacrifice and
spared the life of Isaac.
God’s word says…But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
We cannot please God, if we don’t have faith in his power to
accomplish the impossible.
For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:23
Noah was another hero of faith. The world was evil and God
was sorry he ever created man. Noah and his family were
the only godly people left, so he divinely warned him to
build an ark.
Imagine explaining to your wife and family why you want to
build a boat, large enough to house thousands of animals,
when it had never rained before.
Noah and his family were receptive to God’s call and
did exactly what he asked them to do, even though
it took 120 years to build the ark.
People probably laughed and made fun of them, yet
their faith did not waver.
Because of their obedience and trust in the LORD’S
will, Noah and his family’s lives were spared.
Faith comes from hearing…. Romans 10:17
We must meditate on God’s word night and day,
to feed and nourish our spirit.
We must believe He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
By faith, the children of Israel passed through the
Red Sea on dry ground. The Egyptians who were
pursuing them, were drowned…because the hand
of the LORD was with them.
Today, you may be depressed or discouraged about
the future. I encourage you to spend time in God’s
word and learn how great and awesome our Father is.
He loved you so much that he gave his only son to die
for your sins on the cross at Calvary.
Jesus loves you unconditionally, beloved. In faith, he trusted his Father,
and endured the suffering and punishment we deserve for our sins.
God tests and disciplines his children, so they will become strong disciples
and witnesses of his power.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are
in heaviness through manifold temptations; That the trial of your faith,
being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried
with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the
appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Whatever you’re facing, God has promised to never leave
or forsake you.
He lovingly has restored me back to health and I am thankful for the opportunity
to share my faith and times of testing with you.
The Bible says…
If you canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23
Run to his outstretched arms of mercy and lay your sins
down at the foot of the cross.
As him to increase your faith and give you the courage
to begin a new life today…free from the past.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraided not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering. For he that wavered is like a wave of the sea driven
with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive
any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8
Let’s pray…
Merciful Father,
Help us to fight the good fight of faith and become vigilant disciples to witness and
share our faith with others. We believe that all things are possible with you, and you are
a rewarder of those who diligently seek you.
We are justified by faith in Christ Jesus, and now Abraham’s descendants.
We are in covenant relationship with you and all the children of God
through faith in your Son. There is neither Jew nor Greek, male or female,
bond or free. We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Father, thank you for renewing our strength like the eagle; so, we can run and not be
weary, and walk and not faint. All praise and glory goes to you, our Great Physician and Healer.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the
victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believeth
that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4-5
- Julia Martin
HOW TO BE A NERD (SUCCESS AT SCHOOL)
You might really be questioning our sanity here. How to be a nerd? Why would you want to be a nerd in the first place? Nerds are not cool, unless you’re talking about the candy. Then by all means be a nerd.
Being a nerd might not be your goal in life, but we do have some tips that might help you out with your school work. It probably won’t make you a hardcore nerd, but at least it might help you out a little with your school work and grades.
Here’s our top 3 tips to nerdy bliss:
#1 – Show up. Yep. Not exactly ground breaking there, but simply showing up for class every day will help improve your grades. Not only showing up physically (body in the seat) but show up mentally (mind there, listening to teacher). Showing up everyday is the #1 thing that will set you apart from others. No matter how boring the teacher might be or how much you’d rather talk to friends, showing up and paying attention in class makes a huge difference in your grades.
#2 – Do what’s asked. How many times have you watched someone do the wrong worksheet or the wrong problems on the assignment? Its important to pay attention to the requirements given by your teacher. If you do what they ask, you are guaranteed to get better grades.
#3 – No slacking/excuses. If you didn’t do the homework, don’t make excuses about why it isn’t done. Just take the responsibility. Own up to your actions and be proactive. If you know that for some reason you’re not going to get an assignment done, talk to your teacher. Find out if you can make up for it, or have an extension. If you’re really trying, your teacher will usually be glad to work with you.
These are our tips on how to be a nerd. Hopefully, you’ll be able to put some to use and get your nerd on!
You might really be questioning our sanity here. How to be a nerd? Why would you want to be a nerd in the first place? Nerds are not cool, unless you’re talking about the candy. Then by all means be a nerd.
Being a nerd might not be your goal in life, but we do have some tips that might help you out with your school work. It probably won’t make you a hardcore nerd, but at least it might help you out a little with your school work and grades.
Here’s our top 3 tips to nerdy bliss:
#1 – Show up. Yep. Not exactly ground breaking there, but simply showing up for class every day will help improve your grades. Not only showing up physically (body in the seat) but show up mentally (mind there, listening to teacher). Showing up everyday is the #1 thing that will set you apart from others. No matter how boring the teacher might be or how much you’d rather talk to friends, showing up and paying attention in class makes a huge difference in your grades.
#2 – Do what’s asked. How many times have you watched someone do the wrong worksheet or the wrong problems on the assignment? Its important to pay attention to the requirements given by your teacher. If you do what they ask, you are guaranteed to get better grades.
#3 – No slacking/excuses. If you didn’t do the homework, don’t make excuses about why it isn’t done. Just take the responsibility. Own up to your actions and be proactive. If you know that for some reason you’re not going to get an assignment done, talk to your teacher. Find out if you can make up for it, or have an extension. If you’re really trying, your teacher will usually be glad to work with you.
These are our tips on how to be a nerd. Hopefully, you’ll be able to put some to use and get your nerd on!
Do they see Jesus in you?
"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." Ephesians 5:1-2
The sad reality is that most of the people we know do not know Jesus. They have never personally given their lives to Him. Some people have never actually heard how Jesus died on the cross and died in their place. Church, youth group or even owning a Bible for a lot of people is a totally foreign concept.
If you have given your life to Christ, you belong to Jesus …. You are a “Christ One”. How important is my example to this world? Does it really matter if I lead another person to Jesus Christ? Is it possible that God has it all worked out and I am just a tool with no real purpose? If I have no other purpose in this lifetime, it is clear from this passage that my life should be an example of the awesome riches of His grace and love that points others to Jesus Christ.
If you were the only Christian a person knew, would they want to be saved? Would they want what you have? If you are the only one who ever tells them about Jesus, will your life line up enough to add credibility to the love found only at the Cross of Jesus?"
We live in a lost world where Jesus has been trampled in the dust, where lonely people are hurt, discouraged, and looking for more than what this world says it can offer them. So, again the question is “when they see you, do they see Jesus?”
When you are at your locker, walking down the hall or in the library, chilling while having a burger and fries, or at that football game …. Do your actions, language and attitudes reflect Jesus? When everybody else is involved in “that thing” or “going there”, do you just mold in and go with the flow? Or do you reflect Jesus?
Jesus isn’t asking you to be perfect, but He wants your life to say to others Jesus Christ has so enriched my life that it is very important for me to do whatever I can to see that that one other person that I come in contact with will “see Jesus in me!”
Ask God today to give you what it takes for others to see Jesus in you!
"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." Ephesians 5:1-2
The sad reality is that most of the people we know do not know Jesus. They have never personally given their lives to Him. Some people have never actually heard how Jesus died on the cross and died in their place. Church, youth group or even owning a Bible for a lot of people is a totally foreign concept.
If you have given your life to Christ, you belong to Jesus …. You are a “Christ One”. How important is my example to this world? Does it really matter if I lead another person to Jesus Christ? Is it possible that God has it all worked out and I am just a tool with no real purpose? If I have no other purpose in this lifetime, it is clear from this passage that my life should be an example of the awesome riches of His grace and love that points others to Jesus Christ.
If you were the only Christian a person knew, would they want to be saved? Would they want what you have? If you are the only one who ever tells them about Jesus, will your life line up enough to add credibility to the love found only at the Cross of Jesus?"
We live in a lost world where Jesus has been trampled in the dust, where lonely people are hurt, discouraged, and looking for more than what this world says it can offer them. So, again the question is “when they see you, do they see Jesus?”
When you are at your locker, walking down the hall or in the library, chilling while having a burger and fries, or at that football game …. Do your actions, language and attitudes reflect Jesus? When everybody else is involved in “that thing” or “going there”, do you just mold in and go with the flow? Or do you reflect Jesus?
Jesus isn’t asking you to be perfect, but He wants your life to say to others Jesus Christ has so enriched my life that it is very important for me to do whatever I can to see that that one other person that I come in contact with will “see Jesus in me!”
Ask God today to give you what it takes for others to see Jesus in you!
- Pastor Glenn
Are you a grudge holder ?
[Jesus said,] “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.”
Mark 11:25
Practice Forgiveness
If you’ve experienced the grace of God—if you truly know the depths of his forgiveness of your sins—you will naturally forgive others as well. You probably know this truth already, which doesn’t make it any easier to practice. When people (especially those close to us) wound us through their sinfulness, we may not even realize how deep the wounds go. We hurt and become focused on the pain, often overlooking the ways that we have hurt others.
This is why we must constantly forgive and seek forgiveness for the ways we hurt others.
In offering us a model for how to pray, Jesus told us to ask our Father to “forgive us our trespasses [or sins] as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We tend to think of trespassing as walking through protected property that does not belong to us. But trespassing encompasses all the ways we intrude into someone else’s well-being, violating the boundaries and standards God has established.
Forgiveness works both ways, vertically and horizontally.
Pray: “Lord, I want to forgive those who hurt me the same way that you forgive me of my sins. Help me to love them with the power of your Spirit.”
Walk in forgiveness.... know freedom
[Jesus said,] “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.”
Mark 11:25
Practice Forgiveness
If you’ve experienced the grace of God—if you truly know the depths of his forgiveness of your sins—you will naturally forgive others as well. You probably know this truth already, which doesn’t make it any easier to practice. When people (especially those close to us) wound us through their sinfulness, we may not even realize how deep the wounds go. We hurt and become focused on the pain, often overlooking the ways that we have hurt others.
This is why we must constantly forgive and seek forgiveness for the ways we hurt others.
In offering us a model for how to pray, Jesus told us to ask our Father to “forgive us our trespasses [or sins] as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We tend to think of trespassing as walking through protected property that does not belong to us. But trespassing encompasses all the ways we intrude into someone else’s well-being, violating the boundaries and standards God has established.
Forgiveness works both ways, vertically and horizontally.
Pray: “Lord, I want to forgive those who hurt me the same way that you forgive me of my sins. Help me to love them with the power of your Spirit.”
Walk in forgiveness.... know freedom
Soon, the summer will be winding down, leaves will be changing and another new season begins. School is on the horizon and fall schedules loom ahead. Uncertainty ? worry and upset ? You may get worked up and stressed just thinking about it.
So.......
No better time to let go the stress and live blessed
In a world filled with various types of people and technology, sometimes life can
get a little stressful.
People and machines make mistakes, and there are days when we have to make phone
calls and be put on hold…perhaps to test our patience and teach us to be kind.
The other day, I’d had a stressful morning, and knew I needed to get out of the house
to pray and relax, to bring my blood pressure down…
It was very warm that day, and my flowers looked as wilted as I felt.
I grabbed the hose and began to spray water on the flowers to revive them…praying
quietly, God help me to calm down…
Suddenly, a pair of little hummingbirds appeared and began to fly around in the
cool water.
Then they perched themselves on the fence, fluffing their feathers under the shower,
totally enjoying themselves.
I realized God sent the birds to remind me to relax and bathe in the comfort of his loving kindness
and compassion.
Jesus said in Matthew 6…
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns;
yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all
his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven,
shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
How comforting to know that our heavenly Father is watching over us, just like he does little birds.
If we pray and ask for his help and protection, he will keep us safe.
When troubles and frustration come, he can help us calm down and find peace
beyond all human comprehension
We are never out of his watchful eyes for a single moment.
Today, you may be stressed and worried about your future, home, health, family, or finances.
God sent me to tell you how special and loved you are.
The same God who watches over the birds, is willing and able to direct your path, and provide for all
your needs.
Give him your worries and let him dry those tears from your eyes.
Isaiah 41:10 says…
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Cast all your cares upon him beloved, for he cares for you!
Father, how grateful we are for the wonder of nature to teach us of your great love and compassion.
As you care for each bird and animal, we know you care for us and will never leave or forsake us.
Be with all who are troubled and fearful today. Lay your hands upon them and give them your peace.
Provide jobs, food, shelter, and healing for all your children.
We love you LORD and thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins.
You have said, ask and it will be given to us…so we’re asking in faith,
and trust in your divine intervention in every circumstance of our lives.
You will provide for all our needs.
May your favor rest upon each one of us. You have made room for us and we will
be fruitful in the land. Thank you for rain, sunshine and abundant crops.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Isaiah 41:13
Have a beautiful day.
When friends are getting into bad stuff
Have you ever had a friend that began making choices you didn’t like? Maybe they started using alcohol or drugs. Perhaps they got into porn or started becoming sexually active. It can be really hard to know what to do when someone you care about starts to make choices that you can see are wrong.
With those thoughts in mind, we’ve gotten a list together of some suggestions to help you when your friend starts doing bad stuff.
Speak into their life – If you have the ability to talk to this friend, do it. See if you can find out why they are making these choices. Don’t yell at them or give them a hard time because of what they’re doing, but be there to listen. Believe that when you talk to them, God will show you something to say that will encourage them to make the right choices. Finally, be careful when you talk to them to not come across as mean or seem like you know it all. Be genuinely interested in what they’re going through and believe that God will use you to encourage them and remind them of the truth.
Pray for them – This can be such a hard thing to do. Many times you want to see instant results. You want your friend to stop what they’re doing and start living right. However, sometimes the best thing you can do for a friend is to pray for them. A great place to start is to pray the prayer that Paul prayed in
Ephesians 1:17-18 (Message) – “Ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory – to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do…”
Pray that they will be able to see clearly what they are doing and the plan God has for their life.
Always love them – Sometimes when friends make bad choices they don’t act very kindly to you. They might lash out at you or stop hanging out with you. It doesn’t matter how badly they treat you, you should love them.
1 Cor 13:7 – “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” NLT
Never give up on friends when they’re making bad choices, instead choose to love them and be there for them no matter how they treat you.
Dealing with a friend who is making bad choices is hard. But with God’s help, you can be a support and help for your friends that are in need. You can love them, pray for them, and even talk to them to encourage them. Regardless if you see results or not, its important that you choose to love your friend no matter how they treat you in return.
Pray: God, I come to you in the name of Jesus and I pray for my friend. I ask you to open the eyes of their hearts that they might see who you are and how much you love them more clearly. I ask you to help me with wisdom so I know what I should do in this situation and how to help my friend. I believe that you are showing me the right thing to do right now in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer makes all things possible
Life can be a little frustrating at times, but God has an amazing way of showing us his love and how he works all things
out for good.
The Bible says, man plans his way, but God directs our steps.
For a while now I’ve been having difficulties with the internet.
It would take a long time to bring up sites, and sometimes it would be unable to access them at all.
Finally, it got to the point when it would say…Unable to send or receive messages….
and give you a code…which meant absolutely nothing to me.
I prayed for God to fix the problem, and give me favor to find help from my troubles…
Talking to technicians for hours was getting me no where, but I knew that God was aware of my
problems.
Finally, I got a new technician who said…” Your modem is very outdated, so I will send you a new one.
A couple of days later, my husband and I tried to get the new one to work, but it seemed to get stuck in the middle
of the installation process.
Another prayer…Another phone call…and soon my computer was up and running again.
When trouble comes, we must remember that God uses everyday life experiences to teach us patience
and force us to rely on him and to pray.
I am thankful for the computer, to help me with my tasks…but am more thankful that MY GOD is ALWAYS
available 24/7 to send messages to and receive messages from!
I don’t have to fight my battles on my own, because he loves me and is BIGGER and any problem I will ever face in life.
God has wonderful plans for us and promises that all things work together for good.
We have to learn to trust him, even when things are annoying or don’t make sense at the time.
It’s vitally important to pray and ask for favor when things become difficult, so he can open the
windows of heaven and pour out his blessings upon us.
We need his wisdom and strength each day, so we don’t short-circuit, and loose our temper.
Beloved, today you may have just lost your job, home, or got a bad report about your health.
Maybe your computer or children are acting up, and you’re at your wits end…
God sent me to tell you he loves you and promises to never leave or forsake you.
He has a plan and what Satan meant for your harm…God will work out for good.
The Bible says…But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe
that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Jesus warned us, in the world we would have trouble, but we can be of good cheer, he has overcome the
world.
God may allow trouble and testings in our life…to stretch our faith and put us in a position for a greater blessing.
When trials come…we must believe he allowed it for a reason, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek
his wisdom and help.
James 2:17 says…Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone.
Sometimes life is like a computer. We can turn it on expecting it to work, but if the modem
is dead…so is the keyboard, printer, and computer…because it cannot operate
correctly alone.
When trouble comes…we must exercise our faith, with prayer, speaking positive
words about our circumstances, with thanksgiving to the LORD.
If we keep trying to plug our life into dead works or activities, we’ll continually face
frustration and depression covers us like a black and blank screen.
Beloved, lay all your pain and sorrow at the feet of Jesus and admit that without him,
you can do nothing.
He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ever hope, ask, or think.
Just like we love do nice things for our children to make them happy…God delights
in doing supernatural things for his children.
Precious one…cast all your cares upon him, for he cares for you.
With God, ALL things are possible!
Father thank you for favor to fix the signal on the internet…so I could share my testimony with others and tell them
of your amazing love.
You truly work all things out for good, for those who love you.
Forgive us for having a grumbling and negative spirit at times. Replace the heaviness
in our hearts with an increased faith. Chase away fear and give us beauty for ashes.
If you are for us, no one can stand against us. Thank you for your amazing blessings
and strength to face this day, knowing all things are possible for those who believe!
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul
prospers. 3 John 2
Have a beautiful and blessed day!
Life can be a little frustrating at times, but God has an amazing way of showing us his love and how he works all things
out for good.
The Bible says, man plans his way, but God directs our steps.
For a while now I’ve been having difficulties with the internet.
It would take a long time to bring up sites, and sometimes it would be unable to access them at all.
Finally, it got to the point when it would say…Unable to send or receive messages….
and give you a code…which meant absolutely nothing to me.
I prayed for God to fix the problem, and give me favor to find help from my troubles…
Talking to technicians for hours was getting me no where, but I knew that God was aware of my
problems.
Finally, I got a new technician who said…” Your modem is very outdated, so I will send you a new one.
A couple of days later, my husband and I tried to get the new one to work, but it seemed to get stuck in the middle
of the installation process.
Another prayer…Another phone call…and soon my computer was up and running again.
When trouble comes, we must remember that God uses everyday life experiences to teach us patience
and force us to rely on him and to pray.
I am thankful for the computer, to help me with my tasks…but am more thankful that MY GOD is ALWAYS
available 24/7 to send messages to and receive messages from!
I don’t have to fight my battles on my own, because he loves me and is BIGGER and any problem I will ever face in life.
God has wonderful plans for us and promises that all things work together for good.
We have to learn to trust him, even when things are annoying or don’t make sense at the time.
It’s vitally important to pray and ask for favor when things become difficult, so he can open the
windows of heaven and pour out his blessings upon us.
We need his wisdom and strength each day, so we don’t short-circuit, and loose our temper.
Beloved, today you may have just lost your job, home, or got a bad report about your health.
Maybe your computer or children are acting up, and you’re at your wits end…
God sent me to tell you he loves you and promises to never leave or forsake you.
He has a plan and what Satan meant for your harm…God will work out for good.
The Bible says…But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe
that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Jesus warned us, in the world we would have trouble, but we can be of good cheer, he has overcome the
world.
God may allow trouble and testings in our life…to stretch our faith and put us in a position for a greater blessing.
When trials come…we must believe he allowed it for a reason, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek
his wisdom and help.
James 2:17 says…Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone.
Sometimes life is like a computer. We can turn it on expecting it to work, but if the modem
is dead…so is the keyboard, printer, and computer…because it cannot operate
correctly alone.
When trouble comes…we must exercise our faith, with prayer, speaking positive
words about our circumstances, with thanksgiving to the LORD.
If we keep trying to plug our life into dead works or activities, we’ll continually face
frustration and depression covers us like a black and blank screen.
Beloved, lay all your pain and sorrow at the feet of Jesus and admit that without him,
you can do nothing.
He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ever hope, ask, or think.
Just like we love do nice things for our children to make them happy…God delights
in doing supernatural things for his children.
Precious one…cast all your cares upon him, for he cares for you.
With God, ALL things are possible!
Father thank you for favor to fix the signal on the internet…so I could share my testimony with others and tell them
of your amazing love.
You truly work all things out for good, for those who love you.
Forgive us for having a grumbling and negative spirit at times. Replace the heaviness
in our hearts with an increased faith. Chase away fear and give us beauty for ashes.
If you are for us, no one can stand against us. Thank you for your amazing blessings
and strength to face this day, knowing all things are possible for those who believe!
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul
prospers. 3 John 2
Have a beautiful and blessed day!
Who can fix the broken pieces?
Outside appearances
A few days ago, I was out having coffee with a friend and he’s the type of guy that seems confident within himself. He appears like not much seems to worry him and one of those guys who ‘have it together’.
We were chatting and got onto the subject of personal weaknesses; things about us that aren’t our strong points. I soon discovered that like me, this friend didn’t have it all together. To my surprise, deep down he was no more confident than anyone else; he was just as broken as I was.
What I seem to be learning is that no matter how ‘confident’, or how ‘together’ someone appears, deep down they are broken, and they know it. While we all appear as though "all is well", we are often just hiding or avoiding our brokenness.
The truth inside
The problem is that everyone is broken, but there seems to be no solution. We are all in a mess, but there is nothing we can do about it. We have got ourselves into a state there is no escape from. In our brokenness, we often ask “God if you are there, where are you?! What are you doing?”.
We forget that the reason we are so broken is because we have all turned away from our creator, we have all turned away from our design. God made us to live with him, to live his way. But like a fish in a bowl we wanted out, we wanted freedom, so we jumped out only to be fatally damaged.
Mending our broken lives
As we see in the book of Isaiah, God replies to our questions through his servant.
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives…" (Isaiah 61:1)
We see in Luke 4:17-21 that Jesus is this servant. Jesus explains that this verse from Isaiah is about him. Jesus has come into our world to save us from our brokenness. Even though we have broken ourselves by wanting to live without God, He comes to save us from our sad state.
Jesus came to wipe out our brokenness and forgive us for bailing on God; He came to give us a new life. While we as followers are still broken here on earth, God is working everything for our eternal good now, and we hope for our new life to come without brokenness, with our perfect loving God.
Outside appearances
A few days ago, I was out having coffee with a friend and he’s the type of guy that seems confident within himself. He appears like not much seems to worry him and one of those guys who ‘have it together’.
We were chatting and got onto the subject of personal weaknesses; things about us that aren’t our strong points. I soon discovered that like me, this friend didn’t have it all together. To my surprise, deep down he was no more confident than anyone else; he was just as broken as I was.
What I seem to be learning is that no matter how ‘confident’, or how ‘together’ someone appears, deep down they are broken, and they know it. While we all appear as though "all is well", we are often just hiding or avoiding our brokenness.
The truth inside
The problem is that everyone is broken, but there seems to be no solution. We are all in a mess, but there is nothing we can do about it. We have got ourselves into a state there is no escape from. In our brokenness, we often ask “God if you are there, where are you?! What are you doing?”.
We forget that the reason we are so broken is because we have all turned away from our creator, we have all turned away from our design. God made us to live with him, to live his way. But like a fish in a bowl we wanted out, we wanted freedom, so we jumped out only to be fatally damaged.
Mending our broken lives
As we see in the book of Isaiah, God replies to our questions through his servant.
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives…" (Isaiah 61:1)
We see in Luke 4:17-21 that Jesus is this servant. Jesus explains that this verse from Isaiah is about him. Jesus has come into our world to save us from our brokenness. Even though we have broken ourselves by wanting to live without God, He comes to save us from our sad state.
Jesus came to wipe out our brokenness and forgive us for bailing on God; He came to give us a new life. While we as followers are still broken here on earth, God is working everything for our eternal good now, and we hope for our new life to come without brokenness, with our perfect loving God.
Sexting …. It’s real
Some people have come up with a variety of definitions for sexting, but generally sexting is considered the sending (including forwarding) or receiving of sexual or sexually suggestive photos or messages via electronic communications like emails and text messages. Pretty much since the internet was born, people have been using it as a mean to distribute all types of pornographic or sexual material, but since communication has become more electronically based, sexting has boomed in popularity, because it’s as simple as clicking a button.
However, there are inherent dangers of teen sexting, some of which may seem glaringly obvious, but others may not be anything we’ve considered before.
DO TEENS REALLY SEXT?
The answer to the question is “yes.” While that may seem crazy to some, others sext regularly for a variety of reasons. Recent research has estimated that about 28% of teens have sexted, and a higher percentage of girls over boys were solicited to send a sext.
The reasons for sexting vary. Some find that they’re just curious about nudity in general. Others feel pressured to sext. If everyone is doing it, why not them? Some sext because they truly think they’re in love, and they are trying to step up the intimacy between them and their partner. For others, it’s just that they really weren’t thinking. It was a silly impulse.
The reasons for sexting vary greatly, but that doesn’t mean that sexting is necessarily a good idea.
There are consequences that can be associated with sexting, so we need to think things through before we hit that “send” button.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?
Some people sext and they never see an issue with it. A picture or suggestive message is sent, and it never lives to see the light of day. It may seem innocuous and not a problem, however, that may not be the end of the story:
Not everything stays private. We may think our text messages, photos, and emails are safe, but think about every story you’ve heard about phones and computers getting hacked. We’ve seen even celebrities have their private photos stolen and posted all over the internet for people to see. No matter how secure we think our electronics are, there is always the possibility that the content on there can be stolen and made public.
Not everyone can be trusted. Unfortunately, we’ve all been the victim of betrayal at some point, and we probably thought at the time that that person we trusted would never, ever betray us. It’s hard to believe that someone close to us would take a sext and share it with others, but we all know that it happens. People gravitate toward gossip and sordid stories. Unfortunately, we don’t always know who we can trust, and putting a sext out there means it may not actually be for that person’s eyes only.
It’s not always legal. States have started to take harder lines on sexting, and some have rather ambiguous laws. In some states, teen sexting isn’t legal, which means that nude photo may mean you’ve broken the law. In some states, sexting may even be a felony or a sex crime. Even just possessing a sext can be considered a crime. Not only is it important to know the laws in your state, but it should make us consider if sexting is really worth it.
It can lead to more than you’re ready to handle. Teens who sext are more likely to engage in premarital sex than those who do not. That seems like a logical parallel, but consider this: are you ready, really ready, to have sex? Is that what God would want for you? Pre-marital sex comes with its own set of issues, and it goes far beyond sexting.
It can affect your reputation. Before you hit “send,” think about how people would react if that picture or message became public. What would that decision do to your reputation? As a Christian, you’re supposed to be an example of your relationship with God, so what does that say about being a Christian to others around you? Christians are expected to live to a higher standard, to be a light unto others, so is that sext really something God would approve of? And how would that message being made public change how people see you? It’s important to ask yourself the questions about how you want people to see you before you send that sext.
Some people have come up with a variety of definitions for sexting, but generally sexting is considered the sending (including forwarding) or receiving of sexual or sexually suggestive photos or messages via electronic communications like emails and text messages. Pretty much since the internet was born, people have been using it as a mean to distribute all types of pornographic or sexual material, but since communication has become more electronically based, sexting has boomed in popularity, because it’s as simple as clicking a button.
However, there are inherent dangers of teen sexting, some of which may seem glaringly obvious, but others may not be anything we’ve considered before.
DO TEENS REALLY SEXT?
The answer to the question is “yes.” While that may seem crazy to some, others sext regularly for a variety of reasons. Recent research has estimated that about 28% of teens have sexted, and a higher percentage of girls over boys were solicited to send a sext.
The reasons for sexting vary. Some find that they’re just curious about nudity in general. Others feel pressured to sext. If everyone is doing it, why not them? Some sext because they truly think they’re in love, and they are trying to step up the intimacy between them and their partner. For others, it’s just that they really weren’t thinking. It was a silly impulse.
The reasons for sexting vary greatly, but that doesn’t mean that sexting is necessarily a good idea.
There are consequences that can be associated with sexting, so we need to think things through before we hit that “send” button.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?
Some people sext and they never see an issue with it. A picture or suggestive message is sent, and it never lives to see the light of day. It may seem innocuous and not a problem, however, that may not be the end of the story:
Not everything stays private. We may think our text messages, photos, and emails are safe, but think about every story you’ve heard about phones and computers getting hacked. We’ve seen even celebrities have their private photos stolen and posted all over the internet for people to see. No matter how secure we think our electronics are, there is always the possibility that the content on there can be stolen and made public.
Not everyone can be trusted. Unfortunately, we’ve all been the victim of betrayal at some point, and we probably thought at the time that that person we trusted would never, ever betray us. It’s hard to believe that someone close to us would take a sext and share it with others, but we all know that it happens. People gravitate toward gossip and sordid stories. Unfortunately, we don’t always know who we can trust, and putting a sext out there means it may not actually be for that person’s eyes only.
It’s not always legal. States have started to take harder lines on sexting, and some have rather ambiguous laws. In some states, teen sexting isn’t legal, which means that nude photo may mean you’ve broken the law. In some states, sexting may even be a felony or a sex crime. Even just possessing a sext can be considered a crime. Not only is it important to know the laws in your state, but it should make us consider if sexting is really worth it.
It can lead to more than you’re ready to handle. Teens who sext are more likely to engage in premarital sex than those who do not. That seems like a logical parallel, but consider this: are you ready, really ready, to have sex? Is that what God would want for you? Pre-marital sex comes with its own set of issues, and it goes far beyond sexting.
It can affect your reputation. Before you hit “send,” think about how people would react if that picture or message became public. What would that decision do to your reputation? As a Christian, you’re supposed to be an example of your relationship with God, so what does that say about being a Christian to others around you? Christians are expected to live to a higher standard, to be a light unto others, so is that sext really something God would approve of? And how would that message being made public change how people see you? It’s important to ask yourself the questions about how you want people to see you before you send that sext.
Overstressed
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your mind is worried and you’re trying to figure everything out? It feels like all your peace has left and all you feel is stress.
Jesus gave us a promise and command. “Peace I leave with you. My own peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid- stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.” John 14:27
We must realize that peace is very strong- it’s not an absence of conflict, it’s a presence of God’s presence and power in our spirit. It belongs to us through Jesus. It’s the same peace that allowed Jesus to reach out and heal the soldier’s ear in the Garden of Gethsemane when his life was threatened. It’s the same peace that spoke to a storm to be still. It wasn’t the absence of trouble in Jesus’ life- but the presence of the power of peace that enabled Jesus to live free from stress.
Jesus left you that very same peace. Then he gave us a condition for that peace to reign every day of our lives. He said guard it- he said don’t allow yourself to get disturbed or fearful- don’t permit those feelings to make you forget the peace power you have. The doorway to your peace being robbed is your mind. When thoughts of doubt and fear hit you, hit them with God’s Word of truth by speaking them out loud.
For example, someone speaks badly about you. Your mind can dwell on it or you can close that door and say “if God be for me who can be against me?” and then forgive and rest in His peace.
If worry tries to upset you, find scriptures that combat that worry. “My God shall supply all my need” “greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world”
When you guard your peace, it’s like shutting the door on your house and locking it. No robber can enter. You are secure. But when you allow your mind to worry and fear, then you have unlocked and open the door and enemies of your peace can come to steal it from you.
Prayer: Thank You Jesus for giving me your peace. I guard my peace today by thinking about Your power in me. I won’t allow situations and people to disturb me or make me afraid. I think right and I speak what I want to have happen, not what I feel or fear.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your mind is worried and you’re trying to figure everything out? It feels like all your peace has left and all you feel is stress.
Jesus gave us a promise and command. “Peace I leave with you. My own peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid- stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.” John 14:27
We must realize that peace is very strong- it’s not an absence of conflict, it’s a presence of God’s presence and power in our spirit. It belongs to us through Jesus. It’s the same peace that allowed Jesus to reach out and heal the soldier’s ear in the Garden of Gethsemane when his life was threatened. It’s the same peace that spoke to a storm to be still. It wasn’t the absence of trouble in Jesus’ life- but the presence of the power of peace that enabled Jesus to live free from stress.
Jesus left you that very same peace. Then he gave us a condition for that peace to reign every day of our lives. He said guard it- he said don’t allow yourself to get disturbed or fearful- don’t permit those feelings to make you forget the peace power you have. The doorway to your peace being robbed is your mind. When thoughts of doubt and fear hit you, hit them with God’s Word of truth by speaking them out loud.
For example, someone speaks badly about you. Your mind can dwell on it or you can close that door and say “if God be for me who can be against me?” and then forgive and rest in His peace.
If worry tries to upset you, find scriptures that combat that worry. “My God shall supply all my need” “greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world”
When you guard your peace, it’s like shutting the door on your house and locking it. No robber can enter. You are secure. But when you allow your mind to worry and fear, then you have unlocked and open the door and enemies of your peace can come to steal it from you.
Prayer: Thank You Jesus for giving me your peace. I guard my peace today by thinking about Your power in me. I won’t allow situations and people to disturb me or make me afraid. I think right and I speak what I want to have happen, not what I feel or fear.
Esteem booster
Sometimes, its really hard to feel good about yourself. When you see the girl at school who always looks perfect, not a hair out of place. Or you watch your older brother who always says and does the right thing. It can be easy to begin comparing yourself to others and feel like you don’t measure up.
So how do you deal with those days when you feel less than amazing? How do you deal with the feelings that you don’t measure up, or the temptation to look or act differently to be accepted?
We’ve put together a list of three ways that you can feel better about yourself, and improve your self esteem.
Make a list of what makes you special. You might feel like you really stink compared to other people, but most likely that’s not the case. Most likely, you’re a pretty amazing person, you’ve just got to take some time to think through what is so great about you.
Think about it, and begin to list the things that make you special. Maybe you really pay attention to those that don’t have friends. Perhaps you’re good at drawing, or math. Find out what it is that is awesome about you. And make a list of those things. Then when you’re feeling down, or need a self esteem boost, you can pull that list out and remind yourself that you’re really pretty great!
Change what you’re thinking. Many times, feeling bad about yourself happens because of what you’re spending time thinking about. Maybe you’ve been comparing yourself to someone else and feel like you come up short. Or maybe you’ve just spent too much time thinking about all your faults. Sure, we all have faults, but it doesn’t good to think about them so much that it makes you unhappy.
Take a little bit of time to think good thoughts. Thoughts of how much God loves you and the value he places on you. As you change what you’re thinking about, you’ll find that you’ll be happier and your self esteem will be higher.
“Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.” – Philippians 4:8 (CEV)
Change what you’re saying. Watch what you say about yourself. If you keep saying your fat, ugly, or unlikeable you’ll start believing those things about yourself. Choose to pay attention to what you’re saying and eliminate those words that are hurtful and untrue about yourself.
Replace negative words with words of truth that God says about yourself. Make a decision to speak words of life over yourself and watch as your self esteem begins to grow.
If you don’t know where to start, here are a few scriptures to help you develop a healthier self-esteem.
Psalm 139:14
Ephesians 2:10
Jeremiah 29:11
Developing a healthy self-esteem doesn’t come over night. If you’ve gotten into bad habits about how you think and speak about yourself, it may take some time to redirect those habits. Don’t get discouraged if it takes some time to feel good about yourself. Stick with it, and know that you can overcome and have a healthy self-esteem However, if you ever get to the point in your battle with self-esteem issues where you need help, get it. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask. Your parents, pastors, or teachers can really help you out if you need it. Get the help you need to develop a healthy self-esteem.
Finally, go to God and be open and honest about what you’re dealing with. He is so ready to listen to you and help you. Tell him how you feel and ask his help in developing a healthy self-esteem.
Bad days …. We’ve all had them
Bad days are the worst! Sometimes its just the smallest thing that can bring a bad day on. Maybe you showed up late for work and got in trouble by your boss. Perhaps, you forgot your homework. No matter what the situation is, sometimes bad days just happen. Here are a few ways you can combat the bad day blues.
Realize bad days happen for everyone. Bad days happen for every person. So, don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad day. Realize that tomorrow will be a new day and you can get new perspective on the situation.
Realize that you are not facing these things alone. It can be easy to feel like you’re all alone or that no one really cares about you and your situation. The truth is God is always there for you to lean on and talk to. He gets it and understands what you’re going through.
Think on what is true. It can be really easy to focus on the bad, and the negative about your bad day. Realize though that this might not be 100% reality. The situation might seem worse to you than it really is. Don’t feel too bad about it, but rather choose to think on good things.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” – Philippians 4:8
Bad days happen to everyone. Its important when bad days come to take time to focus on getting God’s perspective and God’s help on the situation. Many times, a situation seems worse than it actually is. By keeping God in the mix, it helps you not focus on the wrong things and draw on God’s strength and ability when facing a bad day!
Bad days are the worst! Sometimes its just the smallest thing that can bring a bad day on. Maybe you showed up late for work and got in trouble by your boss. Perhaps, you forgot your homework. No matter what the situation is, sometimes bad days just happen. Here are a few ways you can combat the bad day blues.
Realize bad days happen for everyone. Bad days happen for every person. So, don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad day. Realize that tomorrow will be a new day and you can get new perspective on the situation.
Realize that you are not facing these things alone. It can be easy to feel like you’re all alone or that no one really cares about you and your situation. The truth is God is always there for you to lean on and talk to. He gets it and understands what you’re going through.
Think on what is true. It can be really easy to focus on the bad, and the negative about your bad day. Realize though that this might not be 100% reality. The situation might seem worse to you than it really is. Don’t feel too bad about it, but rather choose to think on good things.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” – Philippians 4:8
Bad days happen to everyone. Its important when bad days come to take time to focus on getting God’s perspective and God’s help on the situation. Many times, a situation seems worse than it actually is. By keeping God in the mix, it helps you not focus on the wrong things and draw on God’s strength and ability when facing a bad day!
“They have it, I want it test”
If you've ever enviously eyed your friend's new iPhone or been jealous of someone's prom date, then you know that it's not always easy to follow the Bible's command not to covet (Exodus 20:17). Take this quiz to find out if you're pretty content with what you have, or if this area of your life needs work.
1. You make the A-B honor roll, but your best friend consistently makes the A honor roll. You know he'll get an academic achievement award at the final assembly. You:
2. Your neighbor's parents gave her a used car. You're still riding your bike. You:
3. Your older brother gets to stay out until midnight on the weekends, but you have to be home by 10. You:
4. You work out a lot. You try to eat healthy foods. Your friend never exercises and always seems to be eating—but still looks and feels great. You:
5. You try out for the lead in the play but end up with a small speaking role. You don't quite understand why the director chose the student she chose for the lead role. You:
6. You ask around and it seems like only fast-food places are hiring for this summer. Then, two people in your youth group talk about how thankful they are to God that they got the last positions at an awesome Christian camp. You:
7. You've gotten a scholarship to the local college. You overhear another student talking about how his dad is paying his way to a prestigious college in another state. You:
8. You want to have an awesome birthday bash like your friend just did. Your dad sets the budget at $150. You:
9. Several people from your youth group are going to help build shelters for AIDS orphans in Africa. You need to work this summer to save for your class trip, yearbook, class ring and other things. You:
10. Your friend's family already has two jet skis, but they are planning to replace them with two new ones this year. You:
Scoring:
1. a. 3 points b. 2 points c. 1 point d. 0 points
2. a. 0 points b. 1 point c. 2 points d. 3 points
3. a. 2 points b. 3 points c. 1 point d. 0 points
4. a. 0 points b. 1 point c. 2 points d. 3 points
5. a. 0 points b. 3 points c. 2 points d. 1 point
6. a. 2 points b. 3 points c. 0 points d. 1 point
7. a. 1 point b. 3 points c. 0 points d. 2 points
8. a. 3 points b. 0 points c. 1 point d. 2 points
9. a. 3 points b. 0 points c. 1 point d. 2 points
10. a. 1 point b. 0 points c. 3 points d. 2 points
0-8 points: You struggle with wanting what others have. If you can't have it, you don't want them to have it either. Don't let yourself become bitter. Instead be thankful for what you do have. Rejoicing with people who are celebrating is part of becoming a mature Christian. Ask God for help in being content.
9-22 points: You know that being happy for others is easier said than done. That's why you sometimes pretend to be happy for a fortunate friend. You also use your desires to motivate you to do better or to work for something you want. Don't stop there. Push yourself, with God's help, to go a step or two further: to give thanks for what you have, and to get excited for someone who's enjoying a blessing. And serve others in need, or teach someone a skill you have. That way, you'll be reminded that you have something to give to others.
23-30 points: You're happy for those who get something you don't have or something that you really want. You've learned that the secret to contentment is to be thankful for what you have. Like Paul, you've "learned the secret of being content in any and every situation" (Philippians 4:12). Grow in that contentment by sharing what you have with others. Consider sponsoring a child through World Vision or Compassion International. One of the best ways to stay content is to share.
If you've ever enviously eyed your friend's new iPhone or been jealous of someone's prom date, then you know that it's not always easy to follow the Bible's command not to covet (Exodus 20:17). Take this quiz to find out if you're pretty content with what you have, or if this area of your life needs work.
1. You make the A-B honor roll, but your best friend consistently makes the A honor roll. You know he'll get an academic achievement award at the final assembly. You:
- Are glad for him. He studies hard, and he deserves it.
- Are glad for him and are getting tutored so you can bring your grades up.
- Wish you'd get it, even though you didn't put as much effort into your schoolwork as you could have.
- Hope he doesn't get it. That way, you won't have to hear about how great he feels.
2. Your neighbor's parents gave her a used car. You're still riding your bike. You:
- Gripe continually to your parents about how unfair life is.
- Wish your parents would give in and get you a car.
- Are saving money so you can buy a car to drive to college.
- Are happy your parents let you use their car whenever they can.
3. Your older brother gets to stay out until midnight on the weekends, but you have to be home by 10. You:
- Don't like your curfew, but he's older so it makes sense.
- Calmly explain some changes you'll make so your parents can trust you with an 11:00 curfew.
- Wish your parents would give you the same curfew as your brother since you're not that much younger.
- Hope your brother misses his curfew and gets grounded.
4. You work out a lot. You try to eat healthy foods. Your friend never exercises and always seems to be eating—but still looks and feels great. You:
- Hope your friend gains a ton of weight next year eating fatty college cafeteria food.
- Grumble about how "some people" have to work hard to look good.
- "Joke" that you really enjoy all that time on the treadmill.
- Know that you're forming good habits, and decide not to compare yourself to others.
5. You try out for the lead in the play but end up with a small speaking role. You don't quite understand why the director chose the student she chose for the lead role. You:
- Decide not to be in the play at all.
- Decide to work hard on making your part the best it can be.
- Do your best with your part, but hope you'll get a better part next time.
- Act like you're happy for the student who got the lead.
6. You ask around and it seems like only fast-food places are hiring for this summer. Then, two people in your youth group talk about how thankful they are to God that they got the last positions at an awesome Christian camp. You:
- Wish you'd thought to apply at a few local camps.
- Plan to look for something more fun next summer.
- Hope they get poison ivy.
- Congratulate them and leave so you don't hear them talk on and on about the camp.
7. You've gotten a scholarship to the local college. You overhear another student talking about how his dad is paying his way to a prestigious college in another state. You:
- Wish your parents had more money. And that you had better grades.
- Are thankful that you have a scholarship. If you find some more money, you may be able to graduate without taking out loans.
- Wonder why some people seem to have all the luck.
- Are glad for the scholarship, but keep watching the mail for a better offer from your first choice school.
8. You want to have an awesome birthday bash like your friend just did. Your dad sets the budget at $150. You:
- Ask your friend to help you come up with good ideas and hunt for good prices on food and entertainment.
- Ask if you can just have the money and forget the party.
- Think about how much better your party could be if your parents weren't so cheap.
- Start planning, but drop several hints about needing more money.
9. Several people from your youth group are going to help build shelters for AIDS orphans in Africa. You need to work this summer to save for your class trip, yearbook, class ring and other things. You:
- Realize that if you're willing to skip a class ring, and make some other cuts, you can probably afford to go on the trip. Maybe it's worth thinking about.
- Wonder how all the snotty rich kids who don't have to work will survive roughing it over in Africa.
- Are glad your church is doing this, but think it's not fair that you can't go.
- Are just glad that you got a summer job so you'll have the money you need next year.
10. Your friend's family already has two jet skis, but they are planning to replace them with two new ones this year. You:
- Plan to spend every weekend at your friend's house. If you can't have your own, you might as well enjoy his.
- Avoid him. You're tired of hearing about all the great stuff he gets.
- Are happy for him. His family has lots of money, but he's always willing to share what he has.
- Wish your parents would spend a little more money on fun stuff.
Scoring:
1. a. 3 points b. 2 points c. 1 point d. 0 points
2. a. 0 points b. 1 point c. 2 points d. 3 points
3. a. 2 points b. 3 points c. 1 point d. 0 points
4. a. 0 points b. 1 point c. 2 points d. 3 points
5. a. 0 points b. 3 points c. 2 points d. 1 point
6. a. 2 points b. 3 points c. 0 points d. 1 point
7. a. 1 point b. 3 points c. 0 points d. 2 points
8. a. 3 points b. 0 points c. 1 point d. 2 points
9. a. 3 points b. 0 points c. 1 point d. 2 points
10. a. 1 point b. 0 points c. 3 points d. 2 points
0-8 points: You struggle with wanting what others have. If you can't have it, you don't want them to have it either. Don't let yourself become bitter. Instead be thankful for what you do have. Rejoicing with people who are celebrating is part of becoming a mature Christian. Ask God for help in being content.
9-22 points: You know that being happy for others is easier said than done. That's why you sometimes pretend to be happy for a fortunate friend. You also use your desires to motivate you to do better or to work for something you want. Don't stop there. Push yourself, with God's help, to go a step or two further: to give thanks for what you have, and to get excited for someone who's enjoying a blessing. And serve others in need, or teach someone a skill you have. That way, you'll be reminded that you have something to give to others.
23-30 points: You're happy for those who get something you don't have or something that you really want. You've learned that the secret to contentment is to be thankful for what you have. Like Paul, you've "learned the secret of being content in any and every situation" (Philippians 4:12). Grow in that contentment by sharing what you have with others. Consider sponsoring a child through World Vision or Compassion International. One of the best ways to stay content is to share.
What makes you different in your school?
Everyone is trying to be different. We only need to look around our school to see just how people try to make themselves different from others.
Some people rely on the way they wear their uniform. Others do their hair differently. Some choose a particular backpack, and others rely on music tastes or the television shows they watch to stand out from the crowd.
What things make you different from others at school? Do you stand out for Jesus, or do you just go with the flow to blend in?
God wants you to be different and unique too, but He doesn’t want you to rely on these things to make you different.
God wants you to be different!
God tells us how he wants us to be different in 1 Peter 2:11: "I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul". God is urging us to be different (be alien and strange) by following him. How do we follow him? By fleeing from sin (abstaining from sinful desires) and following God.
Living like this automatically makes us aliens and strangers – it instantly makes us different for God.
And what is the purpose of being different? Check out verse 12: "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
God wants you to be different by following him and running from sin.
God wants you to be different because others will see how you live and God will be glorified. And ultimately...
God wants you to be different to bring him glory.
How can you be different for God's sake?
Go and have a read of 1 Peter chapters 2 and 3. God doesn’t just say: “be different” and leave it at that. There are plenty of areas where you can be different in a way that brings glory to God.
In particular, this year at school, take up the 1 Peter 2:13 challenge: "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men".
I’m sure there are heaps of ways in which we can be godly aliens and strangers in the world by submitting to authorities, and heaps of different ways that we can practically bring God glory. Here are some suggestions:
Bring God glory by obeying your teachers. Show them respect by doing what they ask of you (yes, even when they ask you to do homework!)
Bring God glory by not joining in when others slander teachers or subjects.
Bring God glory by doing your best in your subjects this year.
Bring God glory by respecting your parent’s decisions.
Bring God glory by not slandering your parents when they make decisions you don’t agree with.
As a Christian, how will you be different at school for God’s glory?
How to Persevere through Anything
Things happen, stuff starts to pile up and life gets crazy overwhelming. Sometimes situations and circumstances seem so huge that part of you just wants to pack it in and give up.
If that’s you, keep reading.
WHAT IS PERSEVERANCE?
There are a ton of dictionaries and articles describing perseverance, and all of them give apt descriptions of what it means to persevere. Yet, there is one quote, oddly coming from the movie Galaxy Quest, that I find describes perseverance perfectly: “Never give up. Never surrender.” These simple two sentences explain what it means to persevere, or stick to a goal no matter how many times you’re knocked down or fail.
Everyone has varying levels of innate perseverance, but sometimes we need a little help. Obstacles and failure can get overwhelming, so finding our inner perseverance can be important.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NOT GIVING UP?
Perseverance takes effort and practice. It’s not something that comes easy to anyone. Sure, some people have more ability to stick to their guns a little more than others, but that’s not always because their lives are easier. It takes hard work. Yet, in the end, that work can pay off in ways most people can’t imagine.
First, perseverance can often end in success, which is the goal of persevering in the first place. Giving up too early can mean missing out on ultimate success. There are incredible lessons in failure that we often dismiss in order to only go after quick and easily attainable goals. Many people have failed time and time again, only to persevere and find that they are not only successful, but have become stronger in the process.
We also need to remember that God doesn’t always allow our lives to be easy, and He doesn’t always give us goals that come without pain or difficult times. Sometimes His lessons are in what happens to us along our journey toward His ultimate goals for us. As we persevere through tough times we learn to be more confident, we get things done, we build our skills, and we start to learn who we really are.
We learn that failure isn’t the end of the world, and that sometimes those failures lead us to bigger and better things.
Also, remember, when you persevere, you avoid regret. For some, they live with the weight of all the things they didn’t do or didn’t try. They live with the question of “What if…” in every area of their lives. Maybe if they’d tried harder. Maybe if they hadn’t given up. When we persevere, we lose a sense of regret, whether we succeed or fail, regret doesn’t have room to rear up in our lives later.
WAYS TO BUILD YOUR PERSEVERANCE:
As said before, perseverance takes work, especially when things become really tough. However, every time we persevere through one thing, it makes the next challenge that much easier to face. Here are some things you can do now to persevere:
Trust in God. Sometimes we forget that God is there when we need Him. We realize He has a goal for us, and then we figure we have to do it on our own. However, when God is in the mix, anything is possible. Sometimes we think we know what He wants, and we run off to do it, only to realize He has something else in mind. Trust in God to give you strength and guidance along the way. He is our greatest strength.
Start small. Do you find yourself giving up easily almost every time you face a challenge? Then try to go smaller. Sometimes we think perseverance comes from taking on the big things, but often we build up our ability to persevere by sticking to the small things and letting them grow over time. Try starting out with small goals that have small, but still tough, challenges. As you find small successes, suddenly the big things don’t seem so overwhelming.
Be optimistic. Often the biggest saboteur of our goals is ourselves. We allow fear to walk all over us and turn something great into something negative. We teach ourselves to lower expectations so we won’t be disappointed when we fail. However, when we talk optimistically about our goals, about the things we’re doing to meet those goals, we can find perseverance coming a little easier.
Tune out the doubters. People are going to doubt you, and many are going to stand in your way. Perseverance comes from tuning out those that doubt. It’s not easy, and it takes a great deal of strength. However, when it’s something you really want, something you know you can do, let those thoughts drive you - not what others think.
Let others help. God gives us family, friends, teachers and more to help us. He knows how hard it is to do things by ourselves, so allow those that believe in you to help. Allow them into your thinking, your process, and let them be your biggest cheerleaders. Sometimes we need that help along the way, and it’s okay. You don’t have to persevere alone. God provides those that can get us where we need to go.
Things happen, stuff starts to pile up and life gets crazy overwhelming. Sometimes situations and circumstances seem so huge that part of you just wants to pack it in and give up.
If that’s you, keep reading.
WHAT IS PERSEVERANCE?
There are a ton of dictionaries and articles describing perseverance, and all of them give apt descriptions of what it means to persevere. Yet, there is one quote, oddly coming from the movie Galaxy Quest, that I find describes perseverance perfectly: “Never give up. Never surrender.” These simple two sentences explain what it means to persevere, or stick to a goal no matter how many times you’re knocked down or fail.
Everyone has varying levels of innate perseverance, but sometimes we need a little help. Obstacles and failure can get overwhelming, so finding our inner perseverance can be important.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NOT GIVING UP?
Perseverance takes effort and practice. It’s not something that comes easy to anyone. Sure, some people have more ability to stick to their guns a little more than others, but that’s not always because their lives are easier. It takes hard work. Yet, in the end, that work can pay off in ways most people can’t imagine.
First, perseverance can often end in success, which is the goal of persevering in the first place. Giving up too early can mean missing out on ultimate success. There are incredible lessons in failure that we often dismiss in order to only go after quick and easily attainable goals. Many people have failed time and time again, only to persevere and find that they are not only successful, but have become stronger in the process.
We also need to remember that God doesn’t always allow our lives to be easy, and He doesn’t always give us goals that come without pain or difficult times. Sometimes His lessons are in what happens to us along our journey toward His ultimate goals for us. As we persevere through tough times we learn to be more confident, we get things done, we build our skills, and we start to learn who we really are.
We learn that failure isn’t the end of the world, and that sometimes those failures lead us to bigger and better things.
Also, remember, when you persevere, you avoid regret. For some, they live with the weight of all the things they didn’t do or didn’t try. They live with the question of “What if…” in every area of their lives. Maybe if they’d tried harder. Maybe if they hadn’t given up. When we persevere, we lose a sense of regret, whether we succeed or fail, regret doesn’t have room to rear up in our lives later.
WAYS TO BUILD YOUR PERSEVERANCE:
As said before, perseverance takes work, especially when things become really tough. However, every time we persevere through one thing, it makes the next challenge that much easier to face. Here are some things you can do now to persevere:
Trust in God. Sometimes we forget that God is there when we need Him. We realize He has a goal for us, and then we figure we have to do it on our own. However, when God is in the mix, anything is possible. Sometimes we think we know what He wants, and we run off to do it, only to realize He has something else in mind. Trust in God to give you strength and guidance along the way. He is our greatest strength.
Start small. Do you find yourself giving up easily almost every time you face a challenge? Then try to go smaller. Sometimes we think perseverance comes from taking on the big things, but often we build up our ability to persevere by sticking to the small things and letting them grow over time. Try starting out with small goals that have small, but still tough, challenges. As you find small successes, suddenly the big things don’t seem so overwhelming.
Be optimistic. Often the biggest saboteur of our goals is ourselves. We allow fear to walk all over us and turn something great into something negative. We teach ourselves to lower expectations so we won’t be disappointed when we fail. However, when we talk optimistically about our goals, about the things we’re doing to meet those goals, we can find perseverance coming a little easier.
Tune out the doubters. People are going to doubt you, and many are going to stand in your way. Perseverance comes from tuning out those that doubt. It’s not easy, and it takes a great deal of strength. However, when it’s something you really want, something you know you can do, let those thoughts drive you - not what others think.
Let others help. God gives us family, friends, teachers and more to help us. He knows how hard it is to do things by ourselves, so allow those that believe in you to help. Allow them into your thinking, your process, and let them be your biggest cheerleaders. Sometimes we need that help along the way, and it’s okay. You don’t have to persevere alone. God provides those that can get us where we need to go.
How to respond when life doesn't go as you hoped.
One of the hardest things to deal with in life is failure.
In this success-driven world, the idea of not succeeding seems almost impossible to handle.
Yet, strangely enough, failure can actually be positive. Failure makes us stronger, and brings us resilience. Failure helps us to be wiser, smarter and even more forgiving.
Yet, despite this, you’d think that in the business world, failure would be seen to be a negative thing. But interestingly enough, it’s actually the opposite that’s true.
The latest Harvard Business Review dedicates the whole issue to the topic of failure. On its cover, it has a quote from a famous CEO who says “I think of my failures as a gift!”
In one of the featured articles it points out that venture capitalists (those entrepreneurs who invest money in start-up or struggling businesses), prefer to give their money to people who have already failed. They know their hard-earned cash is safest with someone who’s made a hard-earned lesson in life.
This reminds me of a story I heard about a person who lost a million dollars through a failed business decision. When it was suggested to the CEO that he sack this person who lost the million bucks, the CEO replied by saying, “Why should I sack him when we’ve just invested a million dollars in his training?”
The positive side of failure
Failure’s often a dirty word. But failure’s far more positive than we often paint it.
This is an important message for us. Our failures often cause us pain, regret and disappointment. Yet, failure is something that is normal, and something that is human.
This is something we’re reminded of in the first chapter of Isaiah. The Israelites had failed to follow God as was expected of them, and in turn, it would be easy to even think that this disobedience showed the failure of God, himself, to lead his own people with success.
Yet, in the midst of the litany of failures listed at the start of Isaiah, we read that God remarkably offers forgiveness to his people.
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool". (Isaiah 1:18)
The means by which he can offer this cleansing from their sin, ironically, is through another apparent failure—the death of his chosen servant, our Lord Jesus Christ. The apparent failure of Good Friday leads to the success shown at Easter Sunday.
If you feel like a failure...
If sometimes you feel like a failure, then remember that’s totally normal. As a Christian, you are part of a long heritage of failures.
Yet, through ‘failure’, God has provided forgiveness. And as fellow-failures, we too should offer forgiveness to other fellow-failures.
And, we should welcome failure as a most valuable teaching too, even though it can often be a most expensive lesson!
One of the hardest things to deal with in life is failure.
In this success-driven world, the idea of not succeeding seems almost impossible to handle.
Yet, strangely enough, failure can actually be positive. Failure makes us stronger, and brings us resilience. Failure helps us to be wiser, smarter and even more forgiving.
Yet, despite this, you’d think that in the business world, failure would be seen to be a negative thing. But interestingly enough, it’s actually the opposite that’s true.
The latest Harvard Business Review dedicates the whole issue to the topic of failure. On its cover, it has a quote from a famous CEO who says “I think of my failures as a gift!”
In one of the featured articles it points out that venture capitalists (those entrepreneurs who invest money in start-up or struggling businesses), prefer to give their money to people who have already failed. They know their hard-earned cash is safest with someone who’s made a hard-earned lesson in life.
This reminds me of a story I heard about a person who lost a million dollars through a failed business decision. When it was suggested to the CEO that he sack this person who lost the million bucks, the CEO replied by saying, “Why should I sack him when we’ve just invested a million dollars in his training?”
The positive side of failure
Failure’s often a dirty word. But failure’s far more positive than we often paint it.
This is an important message for us. Our failures often cause us pain, regret and disappointment. Yet, failure is something that is normal, and something that is human.
This is something we’re reminded of in the first chapter of Isaiah. The Israelites had failed to follow God as was expected of them, and in turn, it would be easy to even think that this disobedience showed the failure of God, himself, to lead his own people with success.
Yet, in the midst of the litany of failures listed at the start of Isaiah, we read that God remarkably offers forgiveness to his people.
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool". (Isaiah 1:18)
The means by which he can offer this cleansing from their sin, ironically, is through another apparent failure—the death of his chosen servant, our Lord Jesus Christ. The apparent failure of Good Friday leads to the success shown at Easter Sunday.
If you feel like a failure...
If sometimes you feel like a failure, then remember that’s totally normal. As a Christian, you are part of a long heritage of failures.
Yet, through ‘failure’, God has provided forgiveness. And as fellow-failures, we too should offer forgiveness to other fellow-failures.
And, we should welcome failure as a most valuable teaching too, even though it can often be a most expensive lesson!
When your friends bail
When your friends bail
Have you ever felt like all your friends have bailed on you? Or maybe you feel like you really don’t have good friends. If you have, you’re not alone. Many people feel this way from time to time in life.
So how do you deal with feeling like no one cares? And what can you do about it? Here’s a list of suggestions.
Ask yourself: “Am I doing anything to push people away?” For me, I was really shy in school and because of that, I didn’t get asked to do much socially. Or maybe you’re doing things that annoy or drive people away. Be honest and ask yourself if you need to change something.
Realize: Not everyone is going to treat you right. Some people are going to not be kind to you. That’s a fact of life. Some people don’t know God and have no basis for treating others with kindness and respect. Life is full of people who aren’t going to treat you right.
Be Friendly. One of the best ways to get friends is to be friendly. Do you ever take time to listen to others? Do you go out of your way to try to talk to others? Doing these things can help you gain friends!
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly” – Proverbs 18:24
Get God’s Perspective. If you are feeling bad about yourself due to a lack of friendships, don’t. Don’t allow other people to determine your self worth. Whether you have tons of friends or non, you are worth a ton to God.
“I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made.” – Psalms 139:14
Even if you feel like all your friends have bailed on you, realize that God will never leave you. He’s there to help you and love you. No matter what people do to you, God is on your side. He cares about you like no one else can.
When your friends bail
Have you ever felt like all your friends have bailed on you? Or maybe you feel like you really don’t have good friends. If you have, you’re not alone. Many people feel this way from time to time in life.
So how do you deal with feeling like no one cares? And what can you do about it? Here’s a list of suggestions.
Ask yourself: “Am I doing anything to push people away?” For me, I was really shy in school and because of that, I didn’t get asked to do much socially. Or maybe you’re doing things that annoy or drive people away. Be honest and ask yourself if you need to change something.
Realize: Not everyone is going to treat you right. Some people are going to not be kind to you. That’s a fact of life. Some people don’t know God and have no basis for treating others with kindness and respect. Life is full of people who aren’t going to treat you right.
Be Friendly. One of the best ways to get friends is to be friendly. Do you ever take time to listen to others? Do you go out of your way to try to talk to others? Doing these things can help you gain friends!
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly” – Proverbs 18:24
Get God’s Perspective. If you are feeling bad about yourself due to a lack of friendships, don’t. Don’t allow other people to determine your self worth. Whether you have tons of friends or non, you are worth a ton to God.
“I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made.” – Psalms 139:14
Even if you feel like all your friends have bailed on you, realize that God will never leave you. He’s there to help you and love you. No matter what people do to you, God is on your side. He cares about you like no one else can.
“Enough stuff”
It's one of those days when I'm dissatisfied. I don't like what I look like. I don't like the stuff in my room. I don't like my boring life.
I need more stuff to feel better. To feel new.
I go to the mall because it promises to help me. The Gap, J. Crew, Anthropologie, American Eagle. I can't miss.
At Abercrombie and Fitch, the posters on the walls show clean-cut guys playing touch football with shiny-haired girls. They're having a blast in plaid shirts and khaki pants. One girl has a big sweatshirt tied casually around her thin waist—a cute tomboy. They're laughing in that picture, the clean-cut boys and the shiny-haired girls. They're having more fun in their Abercrombie and Fitch clothes than I've had in months.
At the Athlete's Foot, a picture of Michael Johnson hangs over a wall of running shoes. He's won his second Olympic gold medal while wearing his gleaming gold shoes. The message behind the image is clear: There's nothing greater in life than winning. With some hi-tech shoes of my own, maybe I'd feel like less of a loser.
At Anthropoogie, the brown-and-green sweater on the skinny mannequin promises to make me look thin and trendy. The sales girls are so cool in their wedges and vintage-inspired skirts. If I looked like them, wearing that close-fitting brown-and-green sweater, I might have more dates.
At J. Crew, I see a girl with bleached hair and red lipstick. She's eyeing a black mini-skirt covered with sequins. I wonder what great party she'll wear it to. I wonder what's it's like to be that cool.
But she hangs up the skirt and walks out of the store. She can buy all the black mini-skirts in the mall, but that won't fulfill her.
And I realize the mall can't change my life either. I don't think of myself as a materialistic person. In fact, I buy lots of my clothes at thrift stores. I drive an ugly old car. My friends even tease me about being cheap.
Still, I find myself wanting things. Not because I need them, but because they seem like they'll make me more interesting, more exciting. Like somehow, the stuff I own can change the life I have. When I look at the ads in magazines or on TV, that's what stuff promises me: A better life, a better me.
Yeah, I know it's just hype, but a part of me can't help but believe those promises are true—at least a little bit.
But I'd like to think I'm a lot more than my stuff. I'd like to think my friends like me because I'm funny, nice, and easy to talk to, not because I have cool clothes. I'd like to think I can like myself even though I don't have the latest music or the hippest shoes. I'd like to think I have value because I'm me, not because I have the "right" stuff.
When it comes down to it, I know that the promises of the mall are false, because I've been given another set of promises: God's promises. The mall tells me new clothes can make me more attractive, more acceptable to others. But God promises that I'm his wonderful creation (Psalm 139:14). Nothing I buy can improve on what he's created.
The mall tells me the stuff I buy can lift my spirits, make me feel better. And it can, for a little while. But God promises to comfort and restore me when I feel broken (Psalm 46). He promises to be there when I'm confused about the future, when my friends let me down, when I don't know where to turn for help.
The stuff I buy promises me a better life. But God promises me an abundant life (John 10:10), the best life possible. Eternal life. So where will I put my trust? Where will I find my value? Where will my heart be?
With God, who keeps his promises.
Attitude Check
It's easy to think materialism is all about money and possessions.
But when you look at what the Bible says, it's not the money or even the stuff itself that makes us materialistic. It's our attitude. The Bible says, "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10).
So how can you keep your attitude in check? Whenever you feel the urge to spend money, ask yourself:
Am I buying this so other people will like me? It's easy to try to buy acceptance. After all, it really does seem like the people with cool stuff are more popular. But real friends are more interested in who you are than in what you own (Proverbs 17:17).
Is buying this the best way to honor God with my money? When we have money, there are tons of great things we can do that really help other people. Take a lonely little kid to a movie, send flowers to your grandmother, buy a sandwich for someone who's hungry (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).
How would I feel if this thing were taken away from me? Life is pretty unpredictable. That's why God tells us to focus on the things that are eternal, like his love for us, and not on the temporary things of earth (1 Timothy 6:17).
Am I buying this to fill up some empty part of my life? Sometimes we count on material things to make our lives feel complete. But God is the only one who can really take care of our needs. When we trust in him, we can't help but feel satisfied (Philippians 4:11-13).
What's Really Important?
My dad's a lawyer, and at times I think, why do we live here? We could have our own house and our own car. I could have all the clothes I want."
There are times I would like to have more material things. But then I go over and help out at our homeless shelter and I'm surrounded by small children who have absolutely nothing. It makes me feel guilty and selfish. I mean, I really do have a lot of clothes—even though at times I'd like more. Working at the shelter makes me appreciate what I do have.
And I have so much. I have close friends who live here in the community. I'm surrounded by so many godly adult Christians who help me when I have problems and who help me grow in my faith. I really have everything I need. In Jesus, I have it all !
—Brittany
It's one of those days when I'm dissatisfied. I don't like what I look like. I don't like the stuff in my room. I don't like my boring life.
I need more stuff to feel better. To feel new.
I go to the mall because it promises to help me. The Gap, J. Crew, Anthropologie, American Eagle. I can't miss.
At Abercrombie and Fitch, the posters on the walls show clean-cut guys playing touch football with shiny-haired girls. They're having a blast in plaid shirts and khaki pants. One girl has a big sweatshirt tied casually around her thin waist—a cute tomboy. They're laughing in that picture, the clean-cut boys and the shiny-haired girls. They're having more fun in their Abercrombie and Fitch clothes than I've had in months.
At the Athlete's Foot, a picture of Michael Johnson hangs over a wall of running shoes. He's won his second Olympic gold medal while wearing his gleaming gold shoes. The message behind the image is clear: There's nothing greater in life than winning. With some hi-tech shoes of my own, maybe I'd feel like less of a loser.
At Anthropoogie, the brown-and-green sweater on the skinny mannequin promises to make me look thin and trendy. The sales girls are so cool in their wedges and vintage-inspired skirts. If I looked like them, wearing that close-fitting brown-and-green sweater, I might have more dates.
At J. Crew, I see a girl with bleached hair and red lipstick. She's eyeing a black mini-skirt covered with sequins. I wonder what great party she'll wear it to. I wonder what's it's like to be that cool.
But she hangs up the skirt and walks out of the store. She can buy all the black mini-skirts in the mall, but that won't fulfill her.
And I realize the mall can't change my life either. I don't think of myself as a materialistic person. In fact, I buy lots of my clothes at thrift stores. I drive an ugly old car. My friends even tease me about being cheap.
Still, I find myself wanting things. Not because I need them, but because they seem like they'll make me more interesting, more exciting. Like somehow, the stuff I own can change the life I have. When I look at the ads in magazines or on TV, that's what stuff promises me: A better life, a better me.
Yeah, I know it's just hype, but a part of me can't help but believe those promises are true—at least a little bit.
But I'd like to think I'm a lot more than my stuff. I'd like to think my friends like me because I'm funny, nice, and easy to talk to, not because I have cool clothes. I'd like to think I can like myself even though I don't have the latest music or the hippest shoes. I'd like to think I have value because I'm me, not because I have the "right" stuff.
When it comes down to it, I know that the promises of the mall are false, because I've been given another set of promises: God's promises. The mall tells me new clothes can make me more attractive, more acceptable to others. But God promises that I'm his wonderful creation (Psalm 139:14). Nothing I buy can improve on what he's created.
The mall tells me the stuff I buy can lift my spirits, make me feel better. And it can, for a little while. But God promises to comfort and restore me when I feel broken (Psalm 46). He promises to be there when I'm confused about the future, when my friends let me down, when I don't know where to turn for help.
The stuff I buy promises me a better life. But God promises me an abundant life (John 10:10), the best life possible. Eternal life. So where will I put my trust? Where will I find my value? Where will my heart be?
With God, who keeps his promises.
Attitude Check
It's easy to think materialism is all about money and possessions.
But when you look at what the Bible says, it's not the money or even the stuff itself that makes us materialistic. It's our attitude. The Bible says, "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10).
So how can you keep your attitude in check? Whenever you feel the urge to spend money, ask yourself:
Am I buying this so other people will like me? It's easy to try to buy acceptance. After all, it really does seem like the people with cool stuff are more popular. But real friends are more interested in who you are than in what you own (Proverbs 17:17).
Is buying this the best way to honor God with my money? When we have money, there are tons of great things we can do that really help other people. Take a lonely little kid to a movie, send flowers to your grandmother, buy a sandwich for someone who's hungry (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).
How would I feel if this thing were taken away from me? Life is pretty unpredictable. That's why God tells us to focus on the things that are eternal, like his love for us, and not on the temporary things of earth (1 Timothy 6:17).
Am I buying this to fill up some empty part of my life? Sometimes we count on material things to make our lives feel complete. But God is the only one who can really take care of our needs. When we trust in him, we can't help but feel satisfied (Philippians 4:11-13).
What's Really Important?
My dad's a lawyer, and at times I think, why do we live here? We could have our own house and our own car. I could have all the clothes I want."
There are times I would like to have more material things. But then I go over and help out at our homeless shelter and I'm surrounded by small children who have absolutely nothing. It makes me feel guilty and selfish. I mean, I really do have a lot of clothes—even though at times I'd like more. Working at the shelter makes me appreciate what I do have.
And I have so much. I have close friends who live here in the community. I'm surrounded by so many godly adult Christians who help me when I have problems and who help me grow in my faith. I really have everything I need. In Jesus, I have it all !
—Brittany
Fight boredom in a godly way.
We look forward to days off, spring break and summer vacation, but how do you handle it when the thrill wears off and you find yourself bored silly?
When we turn away from sinful activities we used to do, sometimes it's hard to figure out what we can do now. We have to discover what we enjoy doing all over again, minus those things we know aren't good for us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." We no longer have to choose sin; we can choose to live life in a godly way.
But then, in an effort to be a "good Christian," we often get hung up on figuring out what's a sin and what isn't. We know some of the things we used to do are wrong, but what can we do now? Our self-induced guilt combines with the basic knowledge that we shouldn't sin, and we get stuck. Making godly choices can be confusing—especially for a young believer! Know that you are not alone!
Stop Over-analyzing
Does all of this sound familiar? Have you ever gotten caught in the trap of wondering whether or not something you want to do is sinful? Is playing baseball sinful? Is getting a pedicure sinful? Is doing a Netflix marathon with your best friend sinful? So many things to worry about, right?
I love reading, but when I first became a Christian, I'd decided that I wasn't allowed to read anything but the Bible. I was worried that the books I used to read were not OK anymore. Over time, I realized that there were still lots of books other than the Bible that I could read for fun and entertainment. Yes, some novels have themes I avoid, but there are plenty of authors who have written stories that aren't going to corrupt readers and even give good life lessons I can learn from. The key is discerning what is good and beneficial and what is corruptive (1 Corinthians 10:23).
If you are an over-analyzer, let me encourage you that you probably don't need to analyze as much as you do. Yes, it's good to avoid those things which create distance between you and God—activities that the Bible is very clear about. At the same time, keep in mind that we have a lot of freedoms in Christ. You don't have to agonize about accidentally doing some vague activity that may or may not be sinful. If you're unsure, check your motives (and the activity) against biblical principles. (See "How can I know if something is a sin?" for more helpful tips on discerning the good from the bad.)
One thing that works for everybody
Whether you enjoy the outdoors, creating art, socializing with friends at the mall, cooking with your family, or whatever, we can give you one suggestion that can benefit all Christians across the board. For anybody who has nothing to do in the summer, over winter break, or any other time, here's what you can do: SERVE OTHERS.
Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." When we give Jesus His rightful place as the Lord of our lives, His loving lordship will come out in the way we serve others (Mark 9:35; 1 Peter 4:10; John 15:12-13). One of the ways our love for God is shown in our lives is by how we show love to others. “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). We show love by serving others, which is the same as serving Christ (Colossians 3:23-24). If we want to be great in God’s kingdom, we must become a servant to everyone (Matthew 20:26).
When we love God, our hearts are changed and that ends up as a benefit of love to others.
Look around your community, family, neighborhood, school, church, etc. and try to find opportunities to serve others. It doesn't have to be a homeless shelter, food bank, or anything formal (though it could be!). It might be just mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, or walking a dog for an elderly neighbor; offering free babysitting for a single mother in your community; offering to help a friend with their own projects; or doing some free housecleaning for a nearby relative.
If you have access to transportation, you can probably find a lot of churches or other service-related organizations that have opportunities to serve the community. Help in VBS. Volunteer at the food bank. Organize things at a local charity thrift store. Read books to the kids at your local library. Google search and see what sounds fun to you!
If you're on a school break right now, I hope you can make it an amazing time of service for God. ☺
We look forward to days off, spring break and summer vacation, but how do you handle it when the thrill wears off and you find yourself bored silly?
When we turn away from sinful activities we used to do, sometimes it's hard to figure out what we can do now. We have to discover what we enjoy doing all over again, minus those things we know aren't good for us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." We no longer have to choose sin; we can choose to live life in a godly way.
But then, in an effort to be a "good Christian," we often get hung up on figuring out what's a sin and what isn't. We know some of the things we used to do are wrong, but what can we do now? Our self-induced guilt combines with the basic knowledge that we shouldn't sin, and we get stuck. Making godly choices can be confusing—especially for a young believer! Know that you are not alone!
Stop Over-analyzing
Does all of this sound familiar? Have you ever gotten caught in the trap of wondering whether or not something you want to do is sinful? Is playing baseball sinful? Is getting a pedicure sinful? Is doing a Netflix marathon with your best friend sinful? So many things to worry about, right?
I love reading, but when I first became a Christian, I'd decided that I wasn't allowed to read anything but the Bible. I was worried that the books I used to read were not OK anymore. Over time, I realized that there were still lots of books other than the Bible that I could read for fun and entertainment. Yes, some novels have themes I avoid, but there are plenty of authors who have written stories that aren't going to corrupt readers and even give good life lessons I can learn from. The key is discerning what is good and beneficial and what is corruptive (1 Corinthians 10:23).
If you are an over-analyzer, let me encourage you that you probably don't need to analyze as much as you do. Yes, it's good to avoid those things which create distance between you and God—activities that the Bible is very clear about. At the same time, keep in mind that we have a lot of freedoms in Christ. You don't have to agonize about accidentally doing some vague activity that may or may not be sinful. If you're unsure, check your motives (and the activity) against biblical principles. (See "How can I know if something is a sin?" for more helpful tips on discerning the good from the bad.)
One thing that works for everybody
Whether you enjoy the outdoors, creating art, socializing with friends at the mall, cooking with your family, or whatever, we can give you one suggestion that can benefit all Christians across the board. For anybody who has nothing to do in the summer, over winter break, or any other time, here's what you can do: SERVE OTHERS.
Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." When we give Jesus His rightful place as the Lord of our lives, His loving lordship will come out in the way we serve others (Mark 9:35; 1 Peter 4:10; John 15:12-13). One of the ways our love for God is shown in our lives is by how we show love to others. “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). We show love by serving others, which is the same as serving Christ (Colossians 3:23-24). If we want to be great in God’s kingdom, we must become a servant to everyone (Matthew 20:26).
When we love God, our hearts are changed and that ends up as a benefit of love to others.
Look around your community, family, neighborhood, school, church, etc. and try to find opportunities to serve others. It doesn't have to be a homeless shelter, food bank, or anything formal (though it could be!). It might be just mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, or walking a dog for an elderly neighbor; offering free babysitting for a single mother in your community; offering to help a friend with their own projects; or doing some free housecleaning for a nearby relative.
If you have access to transportation, you can probably find a lot of churches or other service-related organizations that have opportunities to serve the community. Help in VBS. Volunteer at the food bank. Organize things at a local charity thrift store. Read books to the kids at your local library. Google search and see what sounds fun to you!
If you're on a school break right now, I hope you can make it an amazing time of service for God. ☺
Release those emotions to God
In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple, he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. Psalm 18:6 (ESV)
Many of us live a rush hour existence: running here, there, and everywhere, never quite catching up to our to-do list, seldom taking time to slow down and reflect. We get so used to the mad dash mode that when silence does come, we grab whatever device is within reach and fill it with screen time.
Underneath the surface, there is a humongous mix of emotions, dreams, and disappointments waiting to be heard and understood. But we often choose to stay busy, plugged in and entertained instead of listening to what our hearts are saying. As a result, we miss out on taking our hearts to Jesus with vulnerability and trust. We stay stagnant spiritually.
We have a lot to learn from King David: “What so distinguished David was that he took a broad spectrum of emotion straight into his relationship with God. He really laid it all out on the table. His emotions showed in tears, shouting, singing, and even intense dancing.”
David dared to look at His own heart and tell God exactly how he felt, even when things got ugly. As He got things off His chest, God had a compassionate way of easing his fears, removing his shame, and filling him with hope once again. Notice the progression in Psalm 13:1-6 from lament and inner turmoil, to trusting God and even giving praise.
"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or
I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me."
Some of us have a habit of presenting our good side to God. We're good at thanking Him and praising Him and trying to dispel negative thoughts when we pray. Maybe we do this out of a sincere desire to please God. But it might also be a way of avoiding what's really going on inside. If we were taught growing up to lock away our negative feelings, the idea of integrating them into our prayer life can seem very foreign, or even risky.
Giving thanks and praise is a wonderful practice in the Christian life, and it is even commanded. But if we go there too quickly, we have lost a valuable opportunity to experience intimacy with God. David's declaration of trust was all the more sincere and transformational because he first delved the depths of his negative emotions and expressed them to God.
Do you only present "safe" emotions to God?
Maybe it's time to get off the highway, find a rest stop, get back in touch with your heart, and tell God exactly how you feel? That’s not flaky spirituality; it’s having a real and authentic relationship with your Heavenly Father. It’s being an emotionally secure person instead of an emotionally detached media zombie (I’m talking to myself here, too, of course).
PS You might be surprised at what God tells you when you let Him in on all of your emotions.
In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple, he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. Psalm 18:6 (ESV)
Many of us live a rush hour existence: running here, there, and everywhere, never quite catching up to our to-do list, seldom taking time to slow down and reflect. We get so used to the mad dash mode that when silence does come, we grab whatever device is within reach and fill it with screen time.
Underneath the surface, there is a humongous mix of emotions, dreams, and disappointments waiting to be heard and understood. But we often choose to stay busy, plugged in and entertained instead of listening to what our hearts are saying. As a result, we miss out on taking our hearts to Jesus with vulnerability and trust. We stay stagnant spiritually.
We have a lot to learn from King David: “What so distinguished David was that he took a broad spectrum of emotion straight into his relationship with God. He really laid it all out on the table. His emotions showed in tears, shouting, singing, and even intense dancing.”
David dared to look at His own heart and tell God exactly how he felt, even when things got ugly. As He got things off His chest, God had a compassionate way of easing his fears, removing his shame, and filling him with hope once again. Notice the progression in Psalm 13:1-6 from lament and inner turmoil, to trusting God and even giving praise.
"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or
I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me."
Some of us have a habit of presenting our good side to God. We're good at thanking Him and praising Him and trying to dispel negative thoughts when we pray. Maybe we do this out of a sincere desire to please God. But it might also be a way of avoiding what's really going on inside. If we were taught growing up to lock away our negative feelings, the idea of integrating them into our prayer life can seem very foreign, or even risky.
Giving thanks and praise is a wonderful practice in the Christian life, and it is even commanded. But if we go there too quickly, we have lost a valuable opportunity to experience intimacy with God. David's declaration of trust was all the more sincere and transformational because he first delved the depths of his negative emotions and expressed them to God.
Do you only present "safe" emotions to God?
Maybe it's time to get off the highway, find a rest stop, get back in touch with your heart, and tell God exactly how you feel? That’s not flaky spirituality; it’s having a real and authentic relationship with your Heavenly Father. It’s being an emotionally secure person instead of an emotionally detached media zombie (I’m talking to myself here, too, of course).
PS You might be surprised at what God tells you when you let Him in on all of your emotions.
“God focused”
The things of this world are the “golden carrot” that the enemy loves to dangle in front of us. Today, the focus is too often “me focused” or “things focused”. Anyone and everything but a God centered focus. I want to challenge you today to ask God to adjust the lens of your heart so that you can see a 20/20 eternal perspective.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15-16)
I believe that this scripture doesn’t necessarily mean not to love the world we live in or people, but rather, not to love the worldly things; the negative things that the world has to offer, such as: Power, Lust, Greed, Affirmation from people, Pride, Jealousy, relationships that shift us away from God, etc.
These things are traps, desires, cravings that the enemy entices within us, that draws us away from God our Father.
We seek after these things in many different ways.
For some it’s friendships that are more important than God, excessive shopping; drug and or alcohol abuse; the appointment of power and position by any means necessary; the obsession with affirmation, (this can be in the form of needing LIKES on social media.); the list is endless.
However, something we all need to know, is that the enemy distorts our needs for these things.
Certain desires, like affirmation, is normal. But God wants us to receive that from Him. Seeking it from man, whose praises are conditional, will not fully fulfill that need.
What we have to understand is, that the only way those physical cravings/pleasures, as illustrated above, should be satisfied is through Christ, himself.
In order for us to not be sucked into the desires of the world, we have to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. I’m going to share some notes on how to be transformed.
1. Know your struggle
Yes, we all have at least one, because hey, we’re not perfect. And if you can’t identify your spiritual struggle it may be because you’re not fully living for God, because I believe the spirit within us will point those struggles out. I will share two of my struggles.
One is affirmation, especially as an author. I sometimes struggle with seeking praise from my peers and readers for my work. Needing those 4 & 5 star reviews.
And I also struggle with truly walking in the will of God in my writing. It’s always been my desire to through my novels, draw people to the love of God. So, I struggle with how and what I write and if it’s to the glory of God.
2. Understand your identity
Know that you are a child of the most High God. All our needs are already met. So, if you want to keep the enemy out of your life, keep Christ in it.
3. Pursue God’s purity
Seek to live a life pleasing to our heavenly Father. Trust me, I know that at times it won’t be easy. If anything, it may sometimes feel like you’re constantly in a boxing ring being pummeled. But know, you will get the victory. Just stick in there.
The things of this world are the “golden carrot” that the enemy loves to dangle in front of us. Today, the focus is too often “me focused” or “things focused”. Anyone and everything but a God centered focus. I want to challenge you today to ask God to adjust the lens of your heart so that you can see a 20/20 eternal perspective.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15-16)
I believe that this scripture doesn’t necessarily mean not to love the world we live in or people, but rather, not to love the worldly things; the negative things that the world has to offer, such as: Power, Lust, Greed, Affirmation from people, Pride, Jealousy, relationships that shift us away from God, etc.
These things are traps, desires, cravings that the enemy entices within us, that draws us away from God our Father.
We seek after these things in many different ways.
For some it’s friendships that are more important than God, excessive shopping; drug and or alcohol abuse; the appointment of power and position by any means necessary; the obsession with affirmation, (this can be in the form of needing LIKES on social media.); the list is endless.
However, something we all need to know, is that the enemy distorts our needs for these things.
Certain desires, like affirmation, is normal. But God wants us to receive that from Him. Seeking it from man, whose praises are conditional, will not fully fulfill that need.
What we have to understand is, that the only way those physical cravings/pleasures, as illustrated above, should be satisfied is through Christ, himself.
In order for us to not be sucked into the desires of the world, we have to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. I’m going to share some notes on how to be transformed.
1. Know your struggle
Yes, we all have at least one, because hey, we’re not perfect. And if you can’t identify your spiritual struggle it may be because you’re not fully living for God, because I believe the spirit within us will point those struggles out. I will share two of my struggles.
One is affirmation, especially as an author. I sometimes struggle with seeking praise from my peers and readers for my work. Needing those 4 & 5 star reviews.
And I also struggle with truly walking in the will of God in my writing. It’s always been my desire to through my novels, draw people to the love of God. So, I struggle with how and what I write and if it’s to the glory of God.
2. Understand your identity
Know that you are a child of the most High God. All our needs are already met. So, if you want to keep the enemy out of your life, keep Christ in it.
3. Pursue God’s purity
Seek to live a life pleasing to our heavenly Father. Trust me, I know that at times it won’t be easy. If anything, it may sometimes feel like you’re constantly in a boxing ring being pummeled. But know, you will get the victory. Just stick in there.
- Pastor Glenn
Your gift to God
God gives His children many wonderful gifts, but God's greatest gift to us is the gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. First, He gave Christ to me, to die for my sins, so I could become a child of God. Then God gave Christ to me, to live in me, so I could live like a child of God should live.
God wants me to give myself to Him
It is time now for me to think about what I can give to God. If I truly love God and appreciate all the great things He has done for me, I will want to give Him the gift that will please Him most of all.
What is the gift from me that pleases God most of all? Is it the gift of my money? No, God does not need my money. Is it the gift of my work for Him? No, it is not this either.
The gift that pleases God most of all is the gift of myself! If I truly love God with all my heart, I will want to give Him this gift that He desires most of all. This is the gift which the believers in the city of Corinth gave to God. The Bible says, "[They] first gave their own selves to the Lord…" (2 Corinthians 8:5).
The Best Gift
When you love someone with all your heart, you like to show your love for them by giving them the best gift that you can give them.
A thirteen-year-old girl listened intently while the pastor told of God's love for her. He told how God loved her so much that He gave her the best gift He could ever give to her—He gave His Son to her. He spoke of how the Lord Jesus loved her so much that He willingly went to the cross to die for her sins.
when the offering plate reached the floor, the girl stood in it
The girl's heart was deeply moved by what she heard. She loved the Lord with all her heart, and she wanted to show her love for Him. She had no money, so it seemed as though she had nothing to give to the Lord.
Then she thought of a gift that would please God very much. When the usher passed the offering plate, she whispered to him, "Please lower the offering plate." He lowered it. Then she said, "Please lower it more." The usher lowered it more, down close to the floor, but again she whispered, "Please lower it more."
Finally, when the offering plate reached the floor, the girl stood in it. She was giving the Lord the very best gift she could ever give to Him. She was giving herself to the Lord!
The very best gift we can give to the Lord is the gift of ourselves. This is the gift that the Lord appreciates most of all.
What does it mean?
What does it mean when I give myself to the Lord? It means that I am giving my life to the Lord, to do His will instead of my own will.
My enemy, Satan, does not want to see me give myself to the Lord. He hates God and he hates me. He may say to me, "Don't give your life to the Lord! If you do, He will make you do hard things that you don't want to do." But Satan is a liar!
Suppose a kind and loving father has a little daughter whom he adores
Suppose a kind and loving father has a little daughter whom he adores. The little girl likewise loves her father. One day she crawls into her father's lap and says, "Daddy, you are so good and so wise and you know what is best for me. I love you so much that I want to give myself to you, to do whatever you tell me to do."
What do you think the father would say? Would he say, "Oh, good! That's what I have been waiting to hear you say. From now on you can't have any fun. You cannot go outside to play, and you have to eat things you don't like three times a day!"
Would a loving father say this to his child whom he adored? No, he would never say this. He would say something like this: "My precious child, I love you with all my heart. I want only what is best for you. My greatest delight is seeing you happy and contented."
This is the way it is with our heavenly Father. He loves His children and He wants only what is best for them. He delights to see us happy and contented.
Why should I give myself to the Lord?
The reason I should give myself to the Lord is because I belong to Him. The Bible says,
"Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What was the price the Lord Jesus paid for me? The price was His own precious blood.
"You are not your own." I do not belong to myself. I belong to the One who "bought" me—the Lord Jesus. What was the price the Lord Jesus paid for me? The price was His own precious blood. It was not silver and gold, but something far more precious. He gave His life for me. He poured out His lifeblood for me on the cross. The Bible says,
"...you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold … But with the precious blood of Christ…." 1 Peter 1:18-19
I was a slave of sin and Satan, but the Lord Jesus bought me and delivered me from my enemies. Now I belong to Him. He is now my Master. This means that He is the One who has the right to be obeyed. No matter what happens, I will always belong to Him. The Bible says, "…Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's" (Romans 14:8).
Ownership and Possession
There is a difference between ownership and possession. Ownership means that I own something; it belongs to me. Possession means that I have the use of something.
A man wanted to buy a farm that adjoined his land. What was this farm like? It was not pretty at all. In fact, it looked terrible! The owner lived in another city and he had rented it to others for many years.
The tenants had not taken care of the farm at all. They allowed people to dump trash on the land. There were deep gulleys in the fields where the rains had washed away all the good soil. The fields were full of weeds. Poisonous snakes were living in some of the run-down shacks on the farm.
Why would a man want to buy a farm like this? He wanted to buy it because he knew what he could do with it. He knew that he could make the farm beautiful and productive. In his mind, he could see rich pastures of grass and clover and a beautiful lake stocked with fish.
ownership without possession
He and the owner agreed on a price for the farm. However, the owner told him that the farm had been rented for the rest of the year. He could buy it now but he could not take possession of it until the end of the year.
The man paid the full price of the farm and received a deed saying that the farm now belonged to him. For several months, he spent time walking about over the property, seeing what needed to be done. He had all kinds of wonderful plans for that farm, but he could not do a single thing he wanted to do.
ownership with possession
He had ownership of the farm, but he did not have possession. On the very first day of the new year, when he took possession, he began working to make the farm what he wanted it to be. In time, it became one of the most beautiful and valuable farms in the whole area.
My life was like that old farm. It was not pretty at all. But the Lord Jesus loved me just as I was, and He paid a great price to "buy" me. That price was His own life.
Why did the Lord Jesus do this? He did it because He wanted to make something beautiful out of my life. To do this, He must not only have the ownership of my life, but He must have possession of it.
What was my part in this? My part was to give the Lord Jesus the possession of my life, which He had purchased with His own precious blood. The Bible says,
"For you are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:20
Does the Lord have possession of your life?
The Lord has a plan for your life. He knows what He wants to do with your life to make it beautiful and useful. He wants to fill you with His life, His joy and His power. But the Lord cannot do the wonderful things He wants to do until you give Him possession of your life. He will never force you to do this. He wants you to do this because you love Him and trust Him. He waits to hear you say,
"Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me so much that You gave Your life for me. I know that I belong to You. Now, by my choice and by my will, I am giving my life to You so that You can do what You want to do with it."
What makes us want to give ourselves to the Lord?
We know that we should give ourselves to the Lord, but what makes us want to do this? It is the love of Christ.
The Bible says, "The love of Christ constrains [compels] us." When we realize what He did for us and how much Christ loves us, we want to give ourselves to Him.
When we realize what He did for us and how much Christ loves us, we want to give ourselves to Him
"When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small,
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, MY LIFE, MY ALL."
You will be blessed by giving your life to the Lord.
God is asking you to give your life to Him. There is no substitute for this. Bible study, prayer, telling others about Christ, going to church, doing Christian work—these are all good things, but they cannot take the place of giving your life to the Lord.
One day you and I will stand before the Lord Jesus to be judged for what we did with our life after we were saved
One day you and I will stand before the Lord Jesus to be judged for what we did with our life after we were saved. Would it not be wonderful to hear the Lord say to you,
"Well done, good and faithful servant. You gave your life to Me and I was able to do all that I wanted to do with it. Come, enter into the joy of your Lord."
God's Truth
If I have trusted the Lord Jesus as my Savior, my life belongs to Him. The question is not, "Do I belong to the Lord Jesus?" but "Have I given to the Lord Jesus my life, which already belongs to Him?"
I Believe
"God, I believe and now understand that I belong to the Lord Jesus. I believe that He wants to make my life beautiful and useful. I realize that the Lord Jesus must have possession of my life in order to accomplish His purposes. His love has so filled my heart that I want to give Him my life. This day I have definitely decided to give the Lord Jesus possession of my life."
My Gift to God
"Lord Jesus, I want You to be able to do all that You have planned for my life. I know that I belong to You. By my will and by my choice, I am now giving my life to You, the best I know how. I pray that You will enable me to live such a life of love and service to You as I will wish I had lived when I see You face-to-face in Heaven."
God gives His children many wonderful gifts, but God's greatest gift to us is the gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. First, He gave Christ to me, to die for my sins, so I could become a child of God. Then God gave Christ to me, to live in me, so I could live like a child of God should live.
God wants me to give myself to Him
It is time now for me to think about what I can give to God. If I truly love God and appreciate all the great things He has done for me, I will want to give Him the gift that will please Him most of all.
What is the gift from me that pleases God most of all? Is it the gift of my money? No, God does not need my money. Is it the gift of my work for Him? No, it is not this either.
The gift that pleases God most of all is the gift of myself! If I truly love God with all my heart, I will want to give Him this gift that He desires most of all. This is the gift which the believers in the city of Corinth gave to God. The Bible says, "[They] first gave their own selves to the Lord…" (2 Corinthians 8:5).
The Best Gift
When you love someone with all your heart, you like to show your love for them by giving them the best gift that you can give them.
A thirteen-year-old girl listened intently while the pastor told of God's love for her. He told how God loved her so much that He gave her the best gift He could ever give to her—He gave His Son to her. He spoke of how the Lord Jesus loved her so much that He willingly went to the cross to die for her sins.
when the offering plate reached the floor, the girl stood in it
The girl's heart was deeply moved by what she heard. She loved the Lord with all her heart, and she wanted to show her love for Him. She had no money, so it seemed as though she had nothing to give to the Lord.
Then she thought of a gift that would please God very much. When the usher passed the offering plate, she whispered to him, "Please lower the offering plate." He lowered it. Then she said, "Please lower it more." The usher lowered it more, down close to the floor, but again she whispered, "Please lower it more."
Finally, when the offering plate reached the floor, the girl stood in it. She was giving the Lord the very best gift she could ever give to Him. She was giving herself to the Lord!
The very best gift we can give to the Lord is the gift of ourselves. This is the gift that the Lord appreciates most of all.
What does it mean?
What does it mean when I give myself to the Lord? It means that I am giving my life to the Lord, to do His will instead of my own will.
My enemy, Satan, does not want to see me give myself to the Lord. He hates God and he hates me. He may say to me, "Don't give your life to the Lord! If you do, He will make you do hard things that you don't want to do." But Satan is a liar!
Suppose a kind and loving father has a little daughter whom he adores
Suppose a kind and loving father has a little daughter whom he adores. The little girl likewise loves her father. One day she crawls into her father's lap and says, "Daddy, you are so good and so wise and you know what is best for me. I love you so much that I want to give myself to you, to do whatever you tell me to do."
What do you think the father would say? Would he say, "Oh, good! That's what I have been waiting to hear you say. From now on you can't have any fun. You cannot go outside to play, and you have to eat things you don't like three times a day!"
Would a loving father say this to his child whom he adored? No, he would never say this. He would say something like this: "My precious child, I love you with all my heart. I want only what is best for you. My greatest delight is seeing you happy and contented."
This is the way it is with our heavenly Father. He loves His children and He wants only what is best for them. He delights to see us happy and contented.
Why should I give myself to the Lord?
The reason I should give myself to the Lord is because I belong to Him. The Bible says,
"Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What was the price the Lord Jesus paid for me? The price was His own precious blood.
"You are not your own." I do not belong to myself. I belong to the One who "bought" me—the Lord Jesus. What was the price the Lord Jesus paid for me? The price was His own precious blood. It was not silver and gold, but something far more precious. He gave His life for me. He poured out His lifeblood for me on the cross. The Bible says,
"...you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold … But with the precious blood of Christ…." 1 Peter 1:18-19
I was a slave of sin and Satan, but the Lord Jesus bought me and delivered me from my enemies. Now I belong to Him. He is now my Master. This means that He is the One who has the right to be obeyed. No matter what happens, I will always belong to Him. The Bible says, "…Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's" (Romans 14:8).
Ownership and Possession
There is a difference between ownership and possession. Ownership means that I own something; it belongs to me. Possession means that I have the use of something.
A man wanted to buy a farm that adjoined his land. What was this farm like? It was not pretty at all. In fact, it looked terrible! The owner lived in another city and he had rented it to others for many years.
The tenants had not taken care of the farm at all. They allowed people to dump trash on the land. There were deep gulleys in the fields where the rains had washed away all the good soil. The fields were full of weeds. Poisonous snakes were living in some of the run-down shacks on the farm.
Why would a man want to buy a farm like this? He wanted to buy it because he knew what he could do with it. He knew that he could make the farm beautiful and productive. In his mind, he could see rich pastures of grass and clover and a beautiful lake stocked with fish.
ownership without possession
He and the owner agreed on a price for the farm. However, the owner told him that the farm had been rented for the rest of the year. He could buy it now but he could not take possession of it until the end of the year.
The man paid the full price of the farm and received a deed saying that the farm now belonged to him. For several months, he spent time walking about over the property, seeing what needed to be done. He had all kinds of wonderful plans for that farm, but he could not do a single thing he wanted to do.
ownership with possession
He had ownership of the farm, but he did not have possession. On the very first day of the new year, when he took possession, he began working to make the farm what he wanted it to be. In time, it became one of the most beautiful and valuable farms in the whole area.
My life was like that old farm. It was not pretty at all. But the Lord Jesus loved me just as I was, and He paid a great price to "buy" me. That price was His own life.
Why did the Lord Jesus do this? He did it because He wanted to make something beautiful out of my life. To do this, He must not only have the ownership of my life, but He must have possession of it.
What was my part in this? My part was to give the Lord Jesus the possession of my life, which He had purchased with His own precious blood. The Bible says,
"For you are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 6:20
Does the Lord have possession of your life?
The Lord has a plan for your life. He knows what He wants to do with your life to make it beautiful and useful. He wants to fill you with His life, His joy and His power. But the Lord cannot do the wonderful things He wants to do until you give Him possession of your life. He will never force you to do this. He wants you to do this because you love Him and trust Him. He waits to hear you say,
"Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me so much that You gave Your life for me. I know that I belong to You. Now, by my choice and by my will, I am giving my life to You so that You can do what You want to do with it."
What makes us want to give ourselves to the Lord?
We know that we should give ourselves to the Lord, but what makes us want to do this? It is the love of Christ.
The Bible says, "The love of Christ constrains [compels] us." When we realize what He did for us and how much Christ loves us, we want to give ourselves to Him.
When we realize what He did for us and how much Christ loves us, we want to give ourselves to Him
"When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small,
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, MY LIFE, MY ALL."
You will be blessed by giving your life to the Lord.
God is asking you to give your life to Him. There is no substitute for this. Bible study, prayer, telling others about Christ, going to church, doing Christian work—these are all good things, but they cannot take the place of giving your life to the Lord.
One day you and I will stand before the Lord Jesus to be judged for what we did with our life after we were saved
One day you and I will stand before the Lord Jesus to be judged for what we did with our life after we were saved. Would it not be wonderful to hear the Lord say to you,
"Well done, good and faithful servant. You gave your life to Me and I was able to do all that I wanted to do with it. Come, enter into the joy of your Lord."
God's Truth
If I have trusted the Lord Jesus as my Savior, my life belongs to Him. The question is not, "Do I belong to the Lord Jesus?" but "Have I given to the Lord Jesus my life, which already belongs to Him?"
I Believe
"God, I believe and now understand that I belong to the Lord Jesus. I believe that He wants to make my life beautiful and useful. I realize that the Lord Jesus must have possession of my life in order to accomplish His purposes. His love has so filled my heart that I want to give Him my life. This day I have definitely decided to give the Lord Jesus possession of my life."
My Gift to God
"Lord Jesus, I want You to be able to do all that You have planned for my life. I know that I belong to You. By my will and by my choice, I am now giving my life to You, the best I know how. I pray that You will enable me to live such a life of love and service to You as I will wish I had lived when I see You face-to-face in Heaven."
All in for Jesus
Do you ever get that nagging feeling something is missing in your Christian life? When we stop to listen to our hearts, there’s a cry for more that’s hard to ignore. More joy. More meaning. More purpose. More love. We want more out of our relationship with God.
Maybe you’ve gone searching for more already — attended conferences, read books, tried spiritual disciplines — but still came up empty handed. There’s nothing wrong with these activities, but the greatest cause of dissatisfaction among Christians is neglecting Jesus’ call on their lives.
Jesus didn’t make it complicated. There are four things we need to remember:
1. Jesus came to give us abundant life.
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10b
2. Abundant life will cost us everything.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 6:24
3. Abundant life happens when we prioritize Jesus’ mission.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
4. Abundant life only happens through the EMPOWERING PRESENCE of Jesus.
Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:21
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” Galatians 5:16, NLT.
We have a choice to make. We can remain discontent, relying on our own strength, and holding on to terms and conditions in our relationship with Jesus. Or we can make an unqualified, total commitment to obey Jesus anytime, anywhere, at any cost, to do anything. With Jesus at the center, we’ll discover a joy we've never known. Our lives will be full of purpose and meaning as we live out our unique part in fulfilling Jesus’ mission to reach others.
Are you all in? Would you make that commitment today by praying the prayer on this card?
Dear Jesus, I want you in the center of my life and commit through your power to serve and obey you. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything. Amen.
TAKE ACTION!
1Make The Life Commitment
If you're ready to sincerely commit everything to Jesus, pray this prayer. If it's been a while since you last surrendered everything to Jesus, this is your chance to renew your commitment:
Dear Jesus, I want you in the center of my life and commit through your power to serve and obey you. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything.
Filling that deepest need
What’s going right in our lives? What needs to be tweaked? What’s definitely not working?
Do we have the friends we want? The significant other we crave? The prestige and financial success we’ve decided we deserve? What is that “one thing” that you truly believe will make you happy?
Are you smart enough…rich enough…thin enough…tall enough…sexy enough? Are any of us ever “enough”???
Studies suggest that there are just three things we all desperately want:
1). To be loved
2). To be accepted
3). To feel we matter
Many people walk around hoping that someone — anyone? — will validate these deepest needs. Sometimes our desire for validation gets seriously out of control. Is that what’s up with all the selfies on Facebook?
Cultural tolerance tells us that “truth” and “happiness” lies within us — but then jacks with us by suggesting that we’re not “enough” unless others say we are. When you think about it, we are kinda cray-cray for handing so much control of our self-worth over to another pesky human. Especially on Facebook, where everyone else seems to be living a far more exciting/ successful/happier life than we are.
Comparing ourselves to celebrities and “friends” on FB is both addicting and exhausting. And it can be seriously depressing when few have liked or shared out stuff. But here’s the good news that the secular world disavows: We are fully loved and accepted by the creator of the universe. Holy cow, Batman! His Word guarantees that we have His promise on that.
God Says He Accepts Us
The world is kind to those it deems “worthy,” but man, it sure can be harsh to those it does not. How does God feel about our worthiness? Is it defined by our bank account or our popularity ranking? Must we earn His acceptance? Thankfully, no!
God’s Word simply says this: God fully accepts us.
If you were brought up, as I was, in a household that demanded perfection, you likely have had a hard time believing this biblical truth. But allow me to take a line from an uber popular movie soundtrack: LET IT GO!
Let it go, let it go.
And I’ll rise like the break of dawn.
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone
Here I stand, in the light of day.
Then let God affirm you. To do otherwise is to hold yourself back from basking in the joy of His unmerited acceptance.
Our worth doesn’t change based on our zip code. It doesn’t change based on the logo on our clothes. It can’t be altered by the perspective of others — unless we allow them that control. Consider the marvel of this biblical truth: Christ sees us at our very best, as well as our absolute worst, and still finds us acceptable! Don’t choose to live as if God’s love is dependent on your performance. I only wish I could get back all the years I wasted believing I had to be “good enough” for God’s affection. You only need the love and approval of one person, and you already have it: God says you are acceptable!”
God Says We Matter to Him
Sometimes, when I fail yet again to be loving or kind or generous or fruity, I question why God never gives up on me. But then I look around, at the precision and complexity of our amazing planet. Our God is a masterful creator; the things He makes are beautiful. He sees us as beautiful, too, because he sees our potential. As Joyce Meyer says, “I’m not where I need to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be.” God continues His good work in us (another promise!) because we matter to Him. God in extremely interested in the smallest detail of our daily existence.
We need just one verse, Romans 5:8, to remind us of how important God says we are to him: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Luke 12:6-7 is another personal favorite of mine. Jesus asks, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
God Says He Yearns for Connection with Us
Here’s the thing about trying to get these deepest needs validated by people: people often fail us, perhaps just when we need them most. It takes a lot of maturity to bounce back from that disappointment. But the Bible tells us that God is always for us, and always working for our good. Even when it feels like He is miles away from us, seemingly turning a deaf ear to our prayers. God may allow us to struggle, perhaps to strength us or grow our trust in Him, but His Word promises that He is always near. His love and acceptance never cease to be with us.
Take Psalm 139:7-8 to heart: “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.”
When I was a teen, I remember how desperately I craved to be accepted by the popular crowd. Ironically, I discovered that the “in crowd” wasn’t really all that cool to be with. Too much jockeying for position; too much constant worrying over whether my social standing had slipped or skyrocketed. Ironically, I used to view God’s affection for me that way, too. One minute I’d feel accepted, the next despised. Note that the problem lay with my mindset; my inability to rest in His unceasing love. But one glorious day it happened: I finally got tired of fighting God over whether He could be trusted to love me through thick and thin. Whew! It’s so much better trusting that He meets my deepest needs and my daily needs!
Thought to Ponder
God created us with an innate knowledge of Himself. His Word tells us that if we seek Him (put in the effort), we will find Him (the ultimate payoff). Is an intimate knowledge of God worth your time and effort during 2017? If you want my two cents, I’d hasten you to go for it. Life based on the firm foundation of God’s unceasing love and tender mercy beats, far and away, the slippery slope of “truth” and “love” that cultural tolerance tells us assures personal peace and joy. Do you agree that your deepest needs can be met through Jesus?
What’s going right in our lives? What needs to be tweaked? What’s definitely not working?
Do we have the friends we want? The significant other we crave? The prestige and financial success we’ve decided we deserve? What is that “one thing” that you truly believe will make you happy?
Are you smart enough…rich enough…thin enough…tall enough…sexy enough? Are any of us ever “enough”???
Studies suggest that there are just three things we all desperately want:
1). To be loved
2). To be accepted
3). To feel we matter
Many people walk around hoping that someone — anyone? — will validate these deepest needs. Sometimes our desire for validation gets seriously out of control. Is that what’s up with all the selfies on Facebook?
Cultural tolerance tells us that “truth” and “happiness” lies within us — but then jacks with us by suggesting that we’re not “enough” unless others say we are. When you think about it, we are kinda cray-cray for handing so much control of our self-worth over to another pesky human. Especially on Facebook, where everyone else seems to be living a far more exciting/ successful/happier life than we are.
Comparing ourselves to celebrities and “friends” on FB is both addicting and exhausting. And it can be seriously depressing when few have liked or shared out stuff. But here’s the good news that the secular world disavows: We are fully loved and accepted by the creator of the universe. Holy cow, Batman! His Word guarantees that we have His promise on that.
God Says He Accepts Us
The world is kind to those it deems “worthy,” but man, it sure can be harsh to those it does not. How does God feel about our worthiness? Is it defined by our bank account or our popularity ranking? Must we earn His acceptance? Thankfully, no!
God’s Word simply says this: God fully accepts us.
If you were brought up, as I was, in a household that demanded perfection, you likely have had a hard time believing this biblical truth. But allow me to take a line from an uber popular movie soundtrack: LET IT GO!
Let it go, let it go.
And I’ll rise like the break of dawn.
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone
Here I stand, in the light of day.
Then let God affirm you. To do otherwise is to hold yourself back from basking in the joy of His unmerited acceptance.
Our worth doesn’t change based on our zip code. It doesn’t change based on the logo on our clothes. It can’t be altered by the perspective of others — unless we allow them that control. Consider the marvel of this biblical truth: Christ sees us at our very best, as well as our absolute worst, and still finds us acceptable! Don’t choose to live as if God’s love is dependent on your performance. I only wish I could get back all the years I wasted believing I had to be “good enough” for God’s affection. You only need the love and approval of one person, and you already have it: God says you are acceptable!”
God Says We Matter to Him
Sometimes, when I fail yet again to be loving or kind or generous or fruity, I question why God never gives up on me. But then I look around, at the precision and complexity of our amazing planet. Our God is a masterful creator; the things He makes are beautiful. He sees us as beautiful, too, because he sees our potential. As Joyce Meyer says, “I’m not where I need to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be.” God continues His good work in us (another promise!) because we matter to Him. God in extremely interested in the smallest detail of our daily existence.
We need just one verse, Romans 5:8, to remind us of how important God says we are to him: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Luke 12:6-7 is another personal favorite of mine. Jesus asks, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
God Says He Yearns for Connection with Us
Here’s the thing about trying to get these deepest needs validated by people: people often fail us, perhaps just when we need them most. It takes a lot of maturity to bounce back from that disappointment. But the Bible tells us that God is always for us, and always working for our good. Even when it feels like He is miles away from us, seemingly turning a deaf ear to our prayers. God may allow us to struggle, perhaps to strength us or grow our trust in Him, but His Word promises that He is always near. His love and acceptance never cease to be with us.
Take Psalm 139:7-8 to heart: “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.”
When I was a teen, I remember how desperately I craved to be accepted by the popular crowd. Ironically, I discovered that the “in crowd” wasn’t really all that cool to be with. Too much jockeying for position; too much constant worrying over whether my social standing had slipped or skyrocketed. Ironically, I used to view God’s affection for me that way, too. One minute I’d feel accepted, the next despised. Note that the problem lay with my mindset; my inability to rest in His unceasing love. But one glorious day it happened: I finally got tired of fighting God over whether He could be trusted to love me through thick and thin. Whew! It’s so much better trusting that He meets my deepest needs and my daily needs!
Thought to Ponder
God created us with an innate knowledge of Himself. His Word tells us that if we seek Him (put in the effort), we will find Him (the ultimate payoff). Is an intimate knowledge of God worth your time and effort during 2017? If you want my two cents, I’d hasten you to go for it. Life based on the firm foundation of God’s unceasing love and tender mercy beats, far and away, the slippery slope of “truth” and “love” that cultural tolerance tells us assures personal peace and joy. Do you agree that your deepest needs can be met through Jesus?
Happy New Year ! 2017, bring it on
Where does Jesus fit in?
We all have busy lives. Friends, family, sports, commitments, that never-ending load of assignments, projects and homework …. the list just goes on. But in it all have you ever taken a serious time out and asked yourself “Where does Jesus fit in?”
Jesus’ disciples are willing to follow him anywhere with joy. But that’s the challenge isn’t it? Deciding to follow Jesus is one thing. But how do you keep walking with Him when it’s hard, when it hurts, when it doesn’t feel like God’s plan at all? How do you stay close to Jesus when the circumstances just make you want to run away and hide?
When you commit, anytime, anywhere, at any cost, to do anything, you don’t just end up with the promise of the kingdom, you end up with the King. He didn’t just die for you; He wants to live with you. When it feels scary and uncertain, when you’re not sure where Jesus is leading you, get closer to Him.
Jesus is always for you; He’s always leading you, always loving you. He is there to guide and correct, to encourage and empower you. If it feels like God is condemning you, take a closer look at that voice. God does correct us, but He always offers us a way forward. Sometimes it's hard to recognize which voice is God's. THIS WILL REALLY HELP.
When you don’t have the strength, the energy, the grace or the love to do what He’s asking you to do, rely on the Holy Spirit. Invite Him into your circumstances. Discipleship is the process of following Jesus to become more like Him. Spend time with Him. Watch Him closely. Lean in. Spend your life getting to know the King. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
If you're struggling to follow Jesus, you're not alone. WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU and encourage you in your journey of faith.
Email the Patch at: [email protected]
We all have busy lives. Friends, family, sports, commitments, that never-ending load of assignments, projects and homework …. the list just goes on. But in it all have you ever taken a serious time out and asked yourself “Where does Jesus fit in?”
Jesus’ disciples are willing to follow him anywhere with joy. But that’s the challenge isn’t it? Deciding to follow Jesus is one thing. But how do you keep walking with Him when it’s hard, when it hurts, when it doesn’t feel like God’s plan at all? How do you stay close to Jesus when the circumstances just make you want to run away and hide?
When you commit, anytime, anywhere, at any cost, to do anything, you don’t just end up with the promise of the kingdom, you end up with the King. He didn’t just die for you; He wants to live with you. When it feels scary and uncertain, when you’re not sure where Jesus is leading you, get closer to Him.
Jesus is always for you; He’s always leading you, always loving you. He is there to guide and correct, to encourage and empower you. If it feels like God is condemning you, take a closer look at that voice. God does correct us, but He always offers us a way forward. Sometimes it's hard to recognize which voice is God's. THIS WILL REALLY HELP.
When you don’t have the strength, the energy, the grace or the love to do what He’s asking you to do, rely on the Holy Spirit. Invite Him into your circumstances. Discipleship is the process of following Jesus to become more like Him. Spend time with Him. Watch Him closely. Lean in. Spend your life getting to know the King. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
If you're struggling to follow Jesus, you're not alone. WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU and encourage you in your journey of faith.
Email the Patch at: [email protected]
Learning to Accept Myself
What you believe about yourself is very important. It affects your happiness and everything you do. It affects the way you get along with other people. Most important of all, it affects your attitude toward God.
Your “self-image” is what you believe about yourself. It is how you inwardly see yourself. Your feelings are largely determined by your self-image.
Tim is unhappy
Tim is unhappy. He never gets compliments on his test papers at school. His classmates tell him that he is stupid and he does not argue with them. Tim believes they are right.
To add to his problems, Tim has quit trying to do better. He does not make an effort to study. He is convinced that he is a failure, and that he will always be a failure in everything he does.
The problem Tim has is the same problem that many others have. Almost everyone, at one time or another, has this problem. What is this problem that causes so much hurt and pain? It is the feeling that you are not as good as others—that you are ugly and unattractive and that nobody likes you. It is the feeling that you are dumb, and other people are smarter than you. It is the awful feeling that you are worthless.
Believing... Doing... Feeling
Whether we realize it or not, we are controlled by the way we inwardly see things to be. What you believe determines what you do and what you feel. What you believe may not be true at all, but if you believe it, you will be controlled by it. The Bible says,
“As a person thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
believe...do...feel
When we have right beliefs, we do right things, and have right feelings. When we have wrong beliefs, we do wrong things, and have wrong (or unpleasant) feelings.
Where do wrong beliefs come from?
Wrong beliefs come from Satan. The Lord Jesus said that Satan is “a liar and the father [source] of lies.”
In the Bible, Satan is called “the god of this world.” Men think they are in charge of things, but behind the scenes Satan is the real ruler of the world-system.
In the Bible, Satan is called "the god of this world"
Satan uses his world-system to put wrong beliefs into people’s minds. The Bible says,
“If our gospel is hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them that do not believe” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
What does the world value most?
The world says that the most important things in life are: 1) having good looks, 2) being smart, and 3) having a lot of money. Let us think about these things.
1
Having good looks.
The world says, “If you are good looking, you are worth a lot, but if you are not good looking, you are not worth much and you probably will not be happy.”
Many people dislike themselves and some even hate themselves because they do not like the way they look
This is one of Satan’s lies, but most people believe it. Many people dislike themselves and some even hate themselves because they do not like the way they look. They think, “If only I could look like so-and-so, I would be happy.”
The truth is: Beauty in itself does not make a person happy. Many of the most beautiful and handsome people in the world are among the most dissatisfied and unhappy human beings in the world.
Our body is just the “earth suit” we live in now. God says that what we are on the inside is what counts.
“Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
When the Son of God came into the world in human form, He did not come with great physical beauty. The prophet Isaiah wrote of Him,
“…when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2).
2
Being smart.
Some young people have a hard time in school. They do not learn as easily as others.
The world says, “If you are smart, you are worth something; if you are not smart, then you are not worth much.” This is another of Satan’s lies.
The truth is: Your worth is not determined by how smart you are. Some young people have a hard time in school. They do not learn as easily as others. When they give a wrong answer in class, everyone laughs. This makes them feel dumb and inferior.
The more a person fails at something, the more discouraged he becomes. Gradually he comes to think that he is a complete failure. He may decide that he cannot do anything right and quit trying.
God never values a person by how smart he is. When the Lord Jesus chose His disciples, He chose plain, ordinary people.
3
Having money.
Another way the world values people is by how much money they have
Another way the world values people is by how much money they have. The world says, “If your family is rich, you are worth something, but if your family is poor, you are not worth much.” This is another of Satan’s lies.
The truth is: Money does not make a person happy, nor does it determine how much a person is worth.
When the Lord Jesus was in the world, He was very poor. He never had a home of His own. So far as we know, He never had any money of His own. Did this mean that He was not worth much? Of course not! He was the Son of God!
Winners and Losers
Have you noticed that the world puts its emphasis on what a person has in this life? People who are smart, handsome, or rich are classified as “winners.” Those who do not have these things are classified as “losers.”
Jesus told about a certain rich man who had everything he wanted
Jesus told about a certain rich man who had everything he wanted. He lived in luxury. At his gate was a beggar named Lazarus. This man was “full of sores.” He lived on the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table.
From the world’s viewpoint, the rich man was a “winner,” and poor Lazarus was a “loser.” But in death, things were very different. The Bible says,
“It came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom [paradise]…” (Luke 16:22).
rich man ended in hell; Lazarus was carried by the angels to paradise
The rich man also died, and was buried. In hell he was in constant torment.
From this account, we see that death is not the end of our existence; it is the “door” to the next life. For those who have taken Christ as their Savior, death is the door to Heaven. For those who die without Christ, death is the door to hell.
So the real winners in life are those who trust Christ as Savior, and the losers are those who die without Christ. Jesus said,
“For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Change your thinking!
The real you is the person God says you are. Say “NO!” to Satan’s lies and the false values of the world-system.
Right beliefs lead to right actions and right feelings.
right beliefs...right actions...right feelings
Some Suggestions…
• Recognize that other people have the same feelings that you have.
Recognize that other people have the same feelings that you have
When you see your classmates smiling and laughing, you may think that they never have feelings of worthlessness like you have, but this is not so. Everyone has these same feelings at one time or another.
• Do not compare yourself with others.
No one had a choice as to his parents, his race, the color of his skin, his intelligence, his physical appearance, or his natural abilities. These all came to us by birth and they all came from God. Since this is true, there is no place for pride on our part. The Bible says,
“Who makes you different from another? And what do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
We do not have anything to be ashamed of regarding the way God made us. You would not like it if a person made fun of someone you love, and God does not like it when a person makes fun of someone He loves.
In case you are not too happy about how you look, remember that your body is just your temporary “earthsuit.” In Heaven you will get a glorious, new resurrection body like that of the Lord Jesus. Throughout eternity you will be delighted with your “Heavensuit.” Guaranteed!
• Make friends.
You do not have to be beautiful or smart or have a lot of money to make friends. The best way to have a good friend is to be a good friend. Respect others and accept them as they are. Let them know that they are important to you.
• Learn to do something well.
learn to do something well
One of the best ways to overcome feelings of worthlessness is to learn to do something well. Find something that you like to do and work at it!
Say to yourself, “I will learn how to play a musical instrument and I will do whatever is necessary to be good at it.”
Do you like a certain subject in school? Then try to be the best in your class on this subject. Of course, you must try to do well in the other subjects also.
Perhaps you like sports. Pick out the sport you enjoy most and try to be your very best in that sport. You can learn skills in sports, so practice, practice, practice!
Do not go around feeling sorry for yourself. Make the most of what you have. Develop a skill that will make you feel good about yourself.
• Face your problems honestly.
Get alone where you can be quiet and think. Begin thinking about all the things that you do not like about yourself.
Do you dress in a sloppy way? You can do something about that. Make sure that you take time to be clean and to look your best each day.
Get some exercise each day
Are you overweight? You can do something about that. Cut out cookies and candy. Eat less bread and eat more vegetables and fruits. Get some exercise each day. Soon you will be looking better and feeling better about yourself.
Do you make poor grades because you do not study properly? You can do something about that also. Begin taking time to study as you should. Surprise your teacher and yourself!
Be thankful.
Many years ago, a doctor made a tragic mistake that caused a little girl to lose her eyesight. The little girl, Fanny Crosby, was born with normal sight, but when she was only six weeks old, she had an infection in her eyes. The doctor put the wrong medicine in her eyes and it blinded her for life.
She could have been bitter and resentful about what happened. She could have hated the doctor who made such a tragic mistake. She could have even blamed God for letting it happen. But she did none of these things.
Fanny Crosby had a grandmother who held her in her arms and taught her to know and love the Lord Jesus. As a small child she opened her heart to the Lord Jesus and took Him as her Savior. Fanny Crosby did something else too. She made up her mind to be happy and content.
When she grew up, Fanny Crosby began writing hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God. She wrote over 6,000 hymns! Millions of people around the world have sung her songs such as, “To God Be the Glory,” and “Blessed Assurance.”
Though she was blind and spent her life in darkness, Fanny Crosby was one of the happiest Christians who ever lived. What was the secret of her happiness? It was this: She made up her mind to be thankful! She trusted in God’s love and wisdom. She even thanked God for her blindness. She said, “When I open my eyes in Heaven, the first person I will see will be Jesus!”
3 great facts
memory verse
My prayer
God's Heroes of Faith
Samson—the strong man
“You shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come upon his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God...” Judges 13:5
Times were tough for the people of Israel. They had done evil in the sight of the Lord and the Lord had delivered them into the hands of their enemies, the Philistines. God raised up Samson to deliver His people.
Before Samson was born, the angel of the Lord appeared to his mother and told her that he would be a Nazarite from birth. A Nazarite was one who was separated unto God. He took vows which included three things: 1) He would not touch or eat anything “unclean,” 2) He would not drink wine or strong drink, and 3) He would not cut his hair.
Samson wandered about in Philistine territory and fell in love with a Philistine girl
Samson was no ordinary man. He was dedicated and separated to God. When the Spirit of the Lord came on him, he was the strongest man in the world. He wandered about in Philistine territory and fell in love with a Philistine girl. He said to his parents, “Now get her for me as my wife.”
Samson’s parents were horrified. God had strictly commanded his people not to marry unbelievers. They said, “Is there not a suitable woman for you among the daughters of our people? Must you go and take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?”
Samson was determined to have his own way. He said, “Get her for me; for she pleases me well.”
His parents agreed to go with him and meet the girl’s parents. They went on ahead. As Samson lingered behind, a lion attacked him.
A swarm of bees had settled in the dried-out carcass
The Spirit of the Lord came mightily on Samson and he killed the lion with his bare hands. Later, when Samson was on his way to the wedding feast, he passed by the place where he had killed the lion. A swarm of bees had settled in the dried-out carcass and filled it with honey. Samson ate some of the honey.
At the wedding party, Samson gave the Philistines a riddle, “Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong something sweet.” The Philistines could not possibly answer the riddle. Who ever found honey in a lion? They told Samson’s wife, “Get your husband to explain the riddle or we will burn you and your father’s household to death.”
Day after day, Samson’ wife cried, and nagged, and begged him to tell her the secret. Finally Samson could stand it no more. He told her the secret and she told the Philistines. They said to him, “What is sweeter than honey, and what is stronger than a lion?”
Samson knew that his wife had betrayed him. He stormed off and took out his anger on the Philistines by burning their fields of grain, their vineyards, and olive groves. They blamed the girl and burned her and her father to death.
Questions ?????
1. Your self-image is what you believe about yourself; it affects your happiness and everything you do.
a) True.
b) False.
2. We are controlled by the way we inwardly see things to be.
a) True.
b) False.
3. If what you believe is not true at all, it will not affect you. You will not be controlled by it.
a) True.
b) False.
4. Wrong beliefs come from Satan; Satan uses his world-system to put wrong beliefs into people's minds.
a) True.
b) False.
5. The Lord Jesus was very handsome so that people were naturally attracted to Him.
a) True.
b) False.
6. When the Lord Jesus chose His disciples, He chose the smartest people He could find.
a) True.
b) False.
7. The real winners in life are those who trust Christ as Savior; the losers are those who die without Christ.
a) True.
b) False.
8. God loves every person and He does not like it when anyone makes fun of someone He loves.
a) True.
b) False.
9. Our happiness in life depends on how much money we can accumulate for ourselves.
a) True.
b) False.
10. Though she spent her life in darkness, Fanny Crosby was one of the happiest Christians who ever lived because she made up her mind to be thankful.
a) True.
b) False.
What you believe about yourself is very important. It affects your happiness and everything you do. It affects the way you get along with other people. Most important of all, it affects your attitude toward God.
Your “self-image” is what you believe about yourself. It is how you inwardly see yourself. Your feelings are largely determined by your self-image.
Tim is unhappy
Tim is unhappy. He never gets compliments on his test papers at school. His classmates tell him that he is stupid and he does not argue with them. Tim believes they are right.
To add to his problems, Tim has quit trying to do better. He does not make an effort to study. He is convinced that he is a failure, and that he will always be a failure in everything he does.
The problem Tim has is the same problem that many others have. Almost everyone, at one time or another, has this problem. What is this problem that causes so much hurt and pain? It is the feeling that you are not as good as others—that you are ugly and unattractive and that nobody likes you. It is the feeling that you are dumb, and other people are smarter than you. It is the awful feeling that you are worthless.
Believing... Doing... Feeling
Whether we realize it or not, we are controlled by the way we inwardly see things to be. What you believe determines what you do and what you feel. What you believe may not be true at all, but if you believe it, you will be controlled by it. The Bible says,
“As a person thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
believe...do...feel
When we have right beliefs, we do right things, and have right feelings. When we have wrong beliefs, we do wrong things, and have wrong (or unpleasant) feelings.
Where do wrong beliefs come from?
Wrong beliefs come from Satan. The Lord Jesus said that Satan is “a liar and the father [source] of lies.”
In the Bible, Satan is called “the god of this world.” Men think they are in charge of things, but behind the scenes Satan is the real ruler of the world-system.
In the Bible, Satan is called "the god of this world"
Satan uses his world-system to put wrong beliefs into people’s minds. The Bible says,
“If our gospel is hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them that do not believe” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
What does the world value most?
The world says that the most important things in life are: 1) having good looks, 2) being smart, and 3) having a lot of money. Let us think about these things.
1
Having good looks.
The world says, “If you are good looking, you are worth a lot, but if you are not good looking, you are not worth much and you probably will not be happy.”
Many people dislike themselves and some even hate themselves because they do not like the way they look
This is one of Satan’s lies, but most people believe it. Many people dislike themselves and some even hate themselves because they do not like the way they look. They think, “If only I could look like so-and-so, I would be happy.”
The truth is: Beauty in itself does not make a person happy. Many of the most beautiful and handsome people in the world are among the most dissatisfied and unhappy human beings in the world.
Our body is just the “earth suit” we live in now. God says that what we are on the inside is what counts.
“Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
When the Son of God came into the world in human form, He did not come with great physical beauty. The prophet Isaiah wrote of Him,
“…when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2).
2
Being smart.
Some young people have a hard time in school. They do not learn as easily as others.
The world says, “If you are smart, you are worth something; if you are not smart, then you are not worth much.” This is another of Satan’s lies.
The truth is: Your worth is not determined by how smart you are. Some young people have a hard time in school. They do not learn as easily as others. When they give a wrong answer in class, everyone laughs. This makes them feel dumb and inferior.
The more a person fails at something, the more discouraged he becomes. Gradually he comes to think that he is a complete failure. He may decide that he cannot do anything right and quit trying.
God never values a person by how smart he is. When the Lord Jesus chose His disciples, He chose plain, ordinary people.
3
Having money.
Another way the world values people is by how much money they have
Another way the world values people is by how much money they have. The world says, “If your family is rich, you are worth something, but if your family is poor, you are not worth much.” This is another of Satan’s lies.
The truth is: Money does not make a person happy, nor does it determine how much a person is worth.
When the Lord Jesus was in the world, He was very poor. He never had a home of His own. So far as we know, He never had any money of His own. Did this mean that He was not worth much? Of course not! He was the Son of God!
Winners and Losers
Have you noticed that the world puts its emphasis on what a person has in this life? People who are smart, handsome, or rich are classified as “winners.” Those who do not have these things are classified as “losers.”
Jesus told about a certain rich man who had everything he wanted
Jesus told about a certain rich man who had everything he wanted. He lived in luxury. At his gate was a beggar named Lazarus. This man was “full of sores.” He lived on the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table.
From the world’s viewpoint, the rich man was a “winner,” and poor Lazarus was a “loser.” But in death, things were very different. The Bible says,
“It came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom [paradise]…” (Luke 16:22).
rich man ended in hell; Lazarus was carried by the angels to paradise
The rich man also died, and was buried. In hell he was in constant torment.
From this account, we see that death is not the end of our existence; it is the “door” to the next life. For those who have taken Christ as their Savior, death is the door to Heaven. For those who die without Christ, death is the door to hell.
So the real winners in life are those who trust Christ as Savior, and the losers are those who die without Christ. Jesus said,
“For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Change your thinking!
The real you is the person God says you are. Say “NO!” to Satan’s lies and the false values of the world-system.
Right beliefs lead to right actions and right feelings.
right beliefs...right actions...right feelings
Some Suggestions…
• Recognize that other people have the same feelings that you have.
Recognize that other people have the same feelings that you have
When you see your classmates smiling and laughing, you may think that they never have feelings of worthlessness like you have, but this is not so. Everyone has these same feelings at one time or another.
• Do not compare yourself with others.
No one had a choice as to his parents, his race, the color of his skin, his intelligence, his physical appearance, or his natural abilities. These all came to us by birth and they all came from God. Since this is true, there is no place for pride on our part. The Bible says,
“Who makes you different from another? And what do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
We do not have anything to be ashamed of regarding the way God made us. You would not like it if a person made fun of someone you love, and God does not like it when a person makes fun of someone He loves.
In case you are not too happy about how you look, remember that your body is just your temporary “earthsuit.” In Heaven you will get a glorious, new resurrection body like that of the Lord Jesus. Throughout eternity you will be delighted with your “Heavensuit.” Guaranteed!
• Make friends.
You do not have to be beautiful or smart or have a lot of money to make friends. The best way to have a good friend is to be a good friend. Respect others and accept them as they are. Let them know that they are important to you.
• Learn to do something well.
learn to do something well
One of the best ways to overcome feelings of worthlessness is to learn to do something well. Find something that you like to do and work at it!
Say to yourself, “I will learn how to play a musical instrument and I will do whatever is necessary to be good at it.”
Do you like a certain subject in school? Then try to be the best in your class on this subject. Of course, you must try to do well in the other subjects also.
Perhaps you like sports. Pick out the sport you enjoy most and try to be your very best in that sport. You can learn skills in sports, so practice, practice, practice!
Do not go around feeling sorry for yourself. Make the most of what you have. Develop a skill that will make you feel good about yourself.
• Face your problems honestly.
Get alone where you can be quiet and think. Begin thinking about all the things that you do not like about yourself.
Do you dress in a sloppy way? You can do something about that. Make sure that you take time to be clean and to look your best each day.
Get some exercise each day
Are you overweight? You can do something about that. Cut out cookies and candy. Eat less bread and eat more vegetables and fruits. Get some exercise each day. Soon you will be looking better and feeling better about yourself.
Do you make poor grades because you do not study properly? You can do something about that also. Begin taking time to study as you should. Surprise your teacher and yourself!
Be thankful.
Many years ago, a doctor made a tragic mistake that caused a little girl to lose her eyesight. The little girl, Fanny Crosby, was born with normal sight, but when she was only six weeks old, she had an infection in her eyes. The doctor put the wrong medicine in her eyes and it blinded her for life.
She could have been bitter and resentful about what happened. She could have hated the doctor who made such a tragic mistake. She could have even blamed God for letting it happen. But she did none of these things.
Fanny Crosby had a grandmother who held her in her arms and taught her to know and love the Lord Jesus. As a small child she opened her heart to the Lord Jesus and took Him as her Savior. Fanny Crosby did something else too. She made up her mind to be happy and content.
When she grew up, Fanny Crosby began writing hymns of praise and thanksgiving to God. She wrote over 6,000 hymns! Millions of people around the world have sung her songs such as, “To God Be the Glory,” and “Blessed Assurance.”
Though she was blind and spent her life in darkness, Fanny Crosby was one of the happiest Christians who ever lived. What was the secret of her happiness? It was this: She made up her mind to be thankful! She trusted in God’s love and wisdom. She even thanked God for her blindness. She said, “When I open my eyes in Heaven, the first person I will see will be Jesus!”
3 great facts
memory verse
My prayer
God's Heroes of Faith
Samson—the strong man
“You shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come upon his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God...” Judges 13:5
Times were tough for the people of Israel. They had done evil in the sight of the Lord and the Lord had delivered them into the hands of their enemies, the Philistines. God raised up Samson to deliver His people.
Before Samson was born, the angel of the Lord appeared to his mother and told her that he would be a Nazarite from birth. A Nazarite was one who was separated unto God. He took vows which included three things: 1) He would not touch or eat anything “unclean,” 2) He would not drink wine or strong drink, and 3) He would not cut his hair.
Samson wandered about in Philistine territory and fell in love with a Philistine girl
Samson was no ordinary man. He was dedicated and separated to God. When the Spirit of the Lord came on him, he was the strongest man in the world. He wandered about in Philistine territory and fell in love with a Philistine girl. He said to his parents, “Now get her for me as my wife.”
Samson’s parents were horrified. God had strictly commanded his people not to marry unbelievers. They said, “Is there not a suitable woman for you among the daughters of our people? Must you go and take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines?”
Samson was determined to have his own way. He said, “Get her for me; for she pleases me well.”
His parents agreed to go with him and meet the girl’s parents. They went on ahead. As Samson lingered behind, a lion attacked him.
A swarm of bees had settled in the dried-out carcass
The Spirit of the Lord came mightily on Samson and he killed the lion with his bare hands. Later, when Samson was on his way to the wedding feast, he passed by the place where he had killed the lion. A swarm of bees had settled in the dried-out carcass and filled it with honey. Samson ate some of the honey.
At the wedding party, Samson gave the Philistines a riddle, “Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong something sweet.” The Philistines could not possibly answer the riddle. Who ever found honey in a lion? They told Samson’s wife, “Get your husband to explain the riddle or we will burn you and your father’s household to death.”
Day after day, Samson’ wife cried, and nagged, and begged him to tell her the secret. Finally Samson could stand it no more. He told her the secret and she told the Philistines. They said to him, “What is sweeter than honey, and what is stronger than a lion?”
Samson knew that his wife had betrayed him. He stormed off and took out his anger on the Philistines by burning their fields of grain, their vineyards, and olive groves. They blamed the girl and burned her and her father to death.
Questions ?????
1. Your self-image is what you believe about yourself; it affects your happiness and everything you do.
a) True.
b) False.
2. We are controlled by the way we inwardly see things to be.
a) True.
b) False.
3. If what you believe is not true at all, it will not affect you. You will not be controlled by it.
a) True.
b) False.
4. Wrong beliefs come from Satan; Satan uses his world-system to put wrong beliefs into people's minds.
a) True.
b) False.
5. The Lord Jesus was very handsome so that people were naturally attracted to Him.
a) True.
b) False.
6. When the Lord Jesus chose His disciples, He chose the smartest people He could find.
a) True.
b) False.
7. The real winners in life are those who trust Christ as Savior; the losers are those who die without Christ.
a) True.
b) False.
8. God loves every person and He does not like it when anyone makes fun of someone He loves.
a) True.
b) False.
9. Our happiness in life depends on how much money we can accumulate for ourselves.
a) True.
b) False.
10. Though she spent her life in darkness, Fanny Crosby was one of the happiest Christians who ever lived because she made up her mind to be thankful.
a) True.
b) False.
Be content??
You may be thinking “yeah right, easier said than done." We live in a world where we are constantly told that what we have or who we are isn’t good enough. We always have to go for the bigger and better at all cost. Chasing it all down can put a person into a real tailspin…. So, what to do?
Contentment is about being mentally and emotionally OK with the state of things as they are. That seems like a difficult thing to do though, doesn't it? As Christians, we are called to be content with God's will for our lives and not worry over what we do not have. Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25).
Basically, Jesus is telling us to be content with what we have been given. Then He tells us not to even worry about what we don't have because "the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:32-33). Solomon, the wisest and richest man who ever lived, said, "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
If we worry and complain about what we don't have and stay DIS-contented, we are behaving like people who do not know God. And that is definitely not the goal!
The apostle Paul suffered an incredible amount, living without comforts that most people get to enjoy like, you know, not being stranded in a dangerous land, robbed, beaten, or having to travel while homeless, hungry, and dehydrated (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). And yet, somehow Paul found contentment in his life: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12-13).
How can I be content when life is so hard?
Now we come to the question of HOW. How did Paul find contentment when his life was unbelievably harsh? How can we be content with what we possess (or don't possess), where we live, our grades, our appearance, our friends, etc.? The answer comes down to trust. If you're not sure where you stand, ask yourself these questions:
Do you trust God to provide everything you NEED (not "want" but NEED)?
Do you trust that He knows better than you (or your parents or your teachers) about what your life should look like?
Do you trust that He will do everything necessary to help you become a godly follower of Christ? (This includes giving you the body He gave you, the smarts you were born with, and by placing you in the family and community where you are.)
Do you trust God to make the right decisions in these areas and to lead you where He wants you to go?
If you answered "yes" to most of those questions, then you will find yourself much more content with what you have because you know that whatever the state of your life, this is what God has said is best for you right now. If you find yourself answering "no" to most of those questions, you are not alone, but we would encourage you to get to know God better. Read His Word to learn His story, talk to Him in prayer, and talk to others who love Him. It's hard to trust someone you don't know very well, right?
Even if you trust God today, that doesn't mean that you will never struggle with contentment. Things might be difficult sometimes. They might be difficult right now. For example, we all struggle with jealousy now and then. We all make sinful choices sometimes. All too often the "spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). Still, during hard times, you will always have control over whether you dwell on your life's shortcomings or trust that God has a plan.
Your level contentment is your choice.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." —1 Peter 5:6-7
You may be thinking “yeah right, easier said than done." We live in a world where we are constantly told that what we have or who we are isn’t good enough. We always have to go for the bigger and better at all cost. Chasing it all down can put a person into a real tailspin…. So, what to do?
Contentment is about being mentally and emotionally OK with the state of things as they are. That seems like a difficult thing to do though, doesn't it? As Christians, we are called to be content with God's will for our lives and not worry over what we do not have. Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25).
Basically, Jesus is telling us to be content with what we have been given. Then He tells us not to even worry about what we don't have because "the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:32-33). Solomon, the wisest and richest man who ever lived, said, "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
If we worry and complain about what we don't have and stay DIS-contented, we are behaving like people who do not know God. And that is definitely not the goal!
The apostle Paul suffered an incredible amount, living without comforts that most people get to enjoy like, you know, not being stranded in a dangerous land, robbed, beaten, or having to travel while homeless, hungry, and dehydrated (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). And yet, somehow Paul found contentment in his life: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12-13).
How can I be content when life is so hard?
Now we come to the question of HOW. How did Paul find contentment when his life was unbelievably harsh? How can we be content with what we possess (or don't possess), where we live, our grades, our appearance, our friends, etc.? The answer comes down to trust. If you're not sure where you stand, ask yourself these questions:
Do you trust God to provide everything you NEED (not "want" but NEED)?
Do you trust that He knows better than you (or your parents or your teachers) about what your life should look like?
Do you trust that He will do everything necessary to help you become a godly follower of Christ? (This includes giving you the body He gave you, the smarts you were born with, and by placing you in the family and community where you are.)
Do you trust God to make the right decisions in these areas and to lead you where He wants you to go?
If you answered "yes" to most of those questions, then you will find yourself much more content with what you have because you know that whatever the state of your life, this is what God has said is best for you right now. If you find yourself answering "no" to most of those questions, you are not alone, but we would encourage you to get to know God better. Read His Word to learn His story, talk to Him in prayer, and talk to others who love Him. It's hard to trust someone you don't know very well, right?
Even if you trust God today, that doesn't mean that you will never struggle with contentment. Things might be difficult sometimes. They might be difficult right now. For example, we all struggle with jealousy now and then. We all make sinful choices sometimes. All too often the "spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). Still, during hard times, you will always have control over whether you dwell on your life's shortcomings or trust that God has a plan.
Your level contentment is your choice.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." —1 Peter 5:6-7
Why do I feel like I’m the Poster person for the “Loser Club” ?
To start off: You are not a loser. I can practically hear you going, "Yeah, but you don't know how I feel." So I'm going to switch to the second part: you are not a failure. How do I know that? Here's how I know that: you are here and you haven't given up.
Life is messy. Even when we try our absolute hardest and plow ahead toward our goals, sometimes things don't work out. We fall down. We have struggles that seem bigger than we are. NONE of this means that you are a failure. Your struggles don't mean you've failed; they mean you're ALIVE. As long as you are still breathing you haven't failed, because you're still fighting.
You are valued by the Creator of the Universe.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." — Matthew 10:29-31
Your value is inherent. God knew before you were born that when you were this age you were going to go through some times that were difficult. That does not reflect on how much you are worth (which also means you are not a loser). Realizing your true value to God is also important in combating the lie that you have done nothing productive with your life. Also, I'm going to say that adult thing they always say: you seriously have your whole life ahead of you. You have no idea what you can and will accomplish!
When we're in times that nothing seems to be going our way, it's easy to think nothing has ever gone our way and we haven't accomplished anything. If it seems you've done nothing with your life, you may not comprehend what kind of impact you may have had on others—your little sibling, your neighbor, your hurting friend, that stranger you smiled at... And that is worth more than any good grades, pats on the back, or trophy-winning achievements.
Sometimes our goals and His don't line up. Goals are awesome, I am a huge fan of goals. But if God opens up different doors than what you have written down as your goals, don't view that as a failure. View it as God has a different plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.'"
If you aren't praying already, pray every day for God to help you through the next 24 hours and ask Him to help you see how His glory shines in your life. Maybe it's in that amazing sunrise or the clouds in the afternoon. Maybe it's in you giving up your seat on the bus for someone else. Maybe it's in how that little child smiled at you. Keep your eyes open, and you will see Him right there in your life.
View yourself as a child of God—not a failure.
You have value and the God of the universe CHOSE you, adopted you into His family. HE CHOSE YOU. I realize that sometimes it's hard to truly believe that, but it's true nonetheless. How can you be a loser when God loves you? How can you be a loser when God chose you? He knows everything about you so it's not like He doesn't really know what you're like. He's seen every dark thought and action you have ever had, and despite all this...HE. CHOSE. YOU.
-Pastor Glenn
Your way or God's Way ???
If your family happens to be active church-goers, then you likely think there’s nothing special about your being allowed to walk into a church to hear about God. But did you know that in some countries Christians are persecuted, if not killed, for publicly admitting they’re Christians. Yes .... even in 2016 !
There are actually people today who are working hard to remove God’s influence in our society. We live in a world that wants God out of the picture. Even some of our elected leaders. To label us a “Christian” nation, they say, makes those who choose not to believe in God feel excluded
Look carefully and observe. We are already seeing decline, as God is pushed more and more to the sidelines.
Removing God from Society
Those who want God removed from society have been busy infiltrating the media; producing movies, television shows ( even commercials), virtual games, and other programming that encourage viewers to develop a “personal truth” of right and wrong, rather than God’s.
Some statements that have likely influenced your thinking:
“It’s wrong for anyone to impose their beliefs on someone else.”
“I have the right to do whatever I want, as long as I’m not hurting anyone.”
“I can do what feels right to me. Mind your own business.”
“That’s your opinion.”
“Always listen to your heart.”
That last statement is especially bad advice, given the fickleness of the human heart. You and I are consistently inconsistent in our decision-making. We tend to go with what feels good. Go with the flow with a "whatever attitude", what’s easier, what will give us immediate gain. But God’s standards never waiver. His standards help us to live blessed, de-stressed lives.
Surely a Good God Wants Me to Be Happy!
“But if God really does care about us,” says society, “he would want us to be happy. A loving god wouldn’t judge us or send us to hell. That’s just mean.” The fact is, God's Son Jesus came to this earth, suffered, bled, died and rose again so that through personal faith and trust in him, we could be set free from sin that permeates this messed up world we live in - yet Jesus is pushed out of our schools and society at every turn. As a self absorbed and self centered human race, we have chosen our way rather than God's plan of salvation.
My heart breaks at how little we tremble before the Creator of the Universe. As John MacArthur says in a recent article, “While many Christians today think of the Lord in friendly, passive terms, the truth is that none of us would be leaping into the arms of our Father. The testimony of Scripture is clear: All sinners—even strong believers with mature faith—are right to cower in the light of God’s holiness.”
One popular argument that atheists use to oppose Christianity is that, “Its exclusivity makes people feel bad. That divides us, which is bad for society.” To suggest Christians are the reason for society’s current malfunction is just plain silly. “But,” they assert, “Christianity is dangerous! Look at all the pain and suffering it has caused throughout history!”
Certainly, much evil has been done in the name of God. But those actions were committed by people who used religion as a means of control, not as a means of selflessly sharing God’s love. Though Christians have definitely been imperfect in their practice of tolerance, Christianity itself provides the only suitable basis for tolerance and human rights. Because when Christians do Christianity right, they act like Jesus.
Many of our society norms—schools, hospitals, benevolence and charity groups, the high value of human life—evolved because people chose to love and make life better for others.
It’s All About You…Right?
Yeah, yeah, says society, it’s all well and good to do good things for others. But what’s really important is that we live for ourselves! Keeping an eye on numero uno is the key to getting everything we want and deserve! Starting with the right to make lifestyle choices based on our personal view of right and wrong! The fact is - The Word of God is our ultimate standard for truth and the measure of right and wrong.
The problem is that a lot of people have never read the BOOK and many who have, never applied its truth to their lives.
So your “personal truth” is the standard you should be following for a happy life?
Hmmmm… so… if everyone is entitled to live life on their terms… how then, could we judge an athlete who feels his “personal truth” allows him to rape any woman he wants to? Could we judge a murderer who feels it’s his “personal truth” to kill? Could we judge a con artist who feels his “personal truth” tells him it’s okay to bilk the elderly out of their life savings? How would you view a fellow student who cheats off your test, because his “personal truth” tells him that he’s owed a free ride to success?
“Personal truth” is not an adequate standard to live by.
When people forsake God’s morality and truth, they live for themselves. Our society already proves this. Just look at the skyrocketing levels of hatred, the upswing in crime. The whole world is angry and acting out. Because people are putting themselves first.
Society actually encourages us to, “Do what feels right.” But in his word, God directs us to “Follow my ways, as they are just.” If your “personal truth” tells you that the world revolves around you, you need to ask yourself how important God is to you.
Think on This: Your To-Do This Week
This week, spend some time thinking about cultural tolerance. Which “truth” will you follow, God’s or society’s? Choose wisely. Your daily and ultimate joy depends on it.
The decisions you make right now FOR GOD will decide whether or not you spend eternity WITH GOD.
- Pastor Glenn
If your family happens to be active church-goers, then you likely think there’s nothing special about your being allowed to walk into a church to hear about God. But did you know that in some countries Christians are persecuted, if not killed, for publicly admitting they’re Christians. Yes .... even in 2016 !
There are actually people today who are working hard to remove God’s influence in our society. We live in a world that wants God out of the picture. Even some of our elected leaders. To label us a “Christian” nation, they say, makes those who choose not to believe in God feel excluded
Look carefully and observe. We are already seeing decline, as God is pushed more and more to the sidelines.
Removing God from Society
Those who want God removed from society have been busy infiltrating the media; producing movies, television shows ( even commercials), virtual games, and other programming that encourage viewers to develop a “personal truth” of right and wrong, rather than God’s.
Some statements that have likely influenced your thinking:
“It’s wrong for anyone to impose their beliefs on someone else.”
“I have the right to do whatever I want, as long as I’m not hurting anyone.”
“I can do what feels right to me. Mind your own business.”
“That’s your opinion.”
“Always listen to your heart.”
That last statement is especially bad advice, given the fickleness of the human heart. You and I are consistently inconsistent in our decision-making. We tend to go with what feels good. Go with the flow with a "whatever attitude", what’s easier, what will give us immediate gain. But God’s standards never waiver. His standards help us to live blessed, de-stressed lives.
Surely a Good God Wants Me to Be Happy!
“But if God really does care about us,” says society, “he would want us to be happy. A loving god wouldn’t judge us or send us to hell. That’s just mean.” The fact is, God's Son Jesus came to this earth, suffered, bled, died and rose again so that through personal faith and trust in him, we could be set free from sin that permeates this messed up world we live in - yet Jesus is pushed out of our schools and society at every turn. As a self absorbed and self centered human race, we have chosen our way rather than God's plan of salvation.
My heart breaks at how little we tremble before the Creator of the Universe. As John MacArthur says in a recent article, “While many Christians today think of the Lord in friendly, passive terms, the truth is that none of us would be leaping into the arms of our Father. The testimony of Scripture is clear: All sinners—even strong believers with mature faith—are right to cower in the light of God’s holiness.”
One popular argument that atheists use to oppose Christianity is that, “Its exclusivity makes people feel bad. That divides us, which is bad for society.” To suggest Christians are the reason for society’s current malfunction is just plain silly. “But,” they assert, “Christianity is dangerous! Look at all the pain and suffering it has caused throughout history!”
Certainly, much evil has been done in the name of God. But those actions were committed by people who used religion as a means of control, not as a means of selflessly sharing God’s love. Though Christians have definitely been imperfect in their practice of tolerance, Christianity itself provides the only suitable basis for tolerance and human rights. Because when Christians do Christianity right, they act like Jesus.
Many of our society norms—schools, hospitals, benevolence and charity groups, the high value of human life—evolved because people chose to love and make life better for others.
It’s All About You…Right?
Yeah, yeah, says society, it’s all well and good to do good things for others. But what’s really important is that we live for ourselves! Keeping an eye on numero uno is the key to getting everything we want and deserve! Starting with the right to make lifestyle choices based on our personal view of right and wrong! The fact is - The Word of God is our ultimate standard for truth and the measure of right and wrong.
The problem is that a lot of people have never read the BOOK and many who have, never applied its truth to their lives.
So your “personal truth” is the standard you should be following for a happy life?
Hmmmm… so… if everyone is entitled to live life on their terms… how then, could we judge an athlete who feels his “personal truth” allows him to rape any woman he wants to? Could we judge a murderer who feels it’s his “personal truth” to kill? Could we judge a con artist who feels his “personal truth” tells him it’s okay to bilk the elderly out of their life savings? How would you view a fellow student who cheats off your test, because his “personal truth” tells him that he’s owed a free ride to success?
“Personal truth” is not an adequate standard to live by.
When people forsake God’s morality and truth, they live for themselves. Our society already proves this. Just look at the skyrocketing levels of hatred, the upswing in crime. The whole world is angry and acting out. Because people are putting themselves first.
Society actually encourages us to, “Do what feels right.” But in his word, God directs us to “Follow my ways, as they are just.” If your “personal truth” tells you that the world revolves around you, you need to ask yourself how important God is to you.
Think on This: Your To-Do This Week
This week, spend some time thinking about cultural tolerance. Which “truth” will you follow, God’s or society’s? Choose wisely. Your daily and ultimate joy depends on it.
The decisions you make right now FOR GOD will decide whether or not you spend eternity WITH GOD.
- Pastor Glenn
I was reading through my Bible selections for the day I passed by a verse that made me pause, think and challenge myself. You could even say that it convicted me. I want to share the verse with you. I hope that you will get convicted by it also and stop, think and challenge yourself. Anxious to know what verse it is? Well here you go:
He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly. - 2 Chronicles 25:2
Okay, so some background on this verse. Chronicles is all about the history of the past kings of Israel and Judah before Jesus came to the earth. The author introduces each king and then states if the king did was right or evil in the sight of the Lord. As far as I can tell this king (in chapter 25) was the only one recorded as "doing right in the eyes of the Lord, but NOT wholeheartedly." You can continue reading chapter 25 to learn about this certain king, but I want to reflect on verse 2
. Many of us are just like this king in this aspect. We "do" what is right in God's eyes but most of the time for the wrong reasons or just half-heartily. We live in a world where the attitude is often “mediocre will do”. What a waste of a life.... God gave us life, salvation, freedom and sacrificed his son to save us who are sinners. Why not serve him and obey him wholeheartedly? We will also have and receive joy when we do what's right WHOLEHEARTEDLY. There are so many benefits and reasons why we are to have wholeheartedness.
With fall here, a new school year starting up with all the schedules, priorities and commitments starting to pile up why not add "Aim to 'do what is right in the eyes of the Lord WHOLEHEARTEDLY'" to your list? I know that if you pray, asking God to help you, He will. I know it will be hard, trying and even frustrating at times, but the rewards in heaven will be worth all of the attempts.
So I challenge myself and you to "do what is right in the eyes of the Lord WHOLEHEARTEDLY" every day.
Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men. Knowing that from the Lord, you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. - Colossians 3:23-24
“Wisdom”
Today, we are constantly flooded with suggestions, ideas and advice from all directions. We have our thoughts and emotions crammed to overflowing. As human beings we often take pride in how much we know (or think we know). A lot of people have more insight than discretion; others have more knowledge than common sense.
Solomon, who was the third king of Israel and the smartest guy on the planet lays out some pretty stellar thoughts on this whole subject. Come with me to Proverbs 2.
Yeah, there’s a ton of knowledge out there but wisdom is often scarce. Wisdom means a lot more than just knowing a lot. It’s a basic attitude that affects every part of our lives.
Wisdom comes through an ongoing and constant process of growth, being led and enlightened by the Holy Spirit.
The first step to wisdom is trust and respect. It’s about giving honor to the only righteous and Holy God. The Creator, King and Master of the Universe. Unconditional faith in God (capital G), has to be the foundation to our understanding of the world, or attitudes, and our actions.
In a world that throws constant influences our way, we have to realize that it is God’s Word that reveals God’s wisdom to us. True wisdom is about a daily, conscious decision and a lifelong series of right choices that line up with the Word of God. Of course, this is not easy in a messed up world that yanks us in all directions. When we make sinful or mistaken choices we have to learn from them, confess them to God and move forward.
Can I encourage and challenge you today to lay it all down and allow God’s wisdom to enter your heart?
Surrender your inward motives, desires and thoughts. Allow the Spirit of Truth to light you up and work within you.
- Pastor Glenn
Today, we are constantly flooded with suggestions, ideas and advice from all directions. We have our thoughts and emotions crammed to overflowing. As human beings we often take pride in how much we know (or think we know). A lot of people have more insight than discretion; others have more knowledge than common sense.
Solomon, who was the third king of Israel and the smartest guy on the planet lays out some pretty stellar thoughts on this whole subject. Come with me to Proverbs 2.
Yeah, there’s a ton of knowledge out there but wisdom is often scarce. Wisdom means a lot more than just knowing a lot. It’s a basic attitude that affects every part of our lives.
Wisdom comes through an ongoing and constant process of growth, being led and enlightened by the Holy Spirit.
The first step to wisdom is trust and respect. It’s about giving honor to the only righteous and Holy God. The Creator, King and Master of the Universe. Unconditional faith in God (capital G), has to be the foundation to our understanding of the world, or attitudes, and our actions.
In a world that throws constant influences our way, we have to realize that it is God’s Word that reveals God’s wisdom to us. True wisdom is about a daily, conscious decision and a lifelong series of right choices that line up with the Word of God. Of course, this is not easy in a messed up world that yanks us in all directions. When we make sinful or mistaken choices we have to learn from them, confess them to God and move forward.
Can I encourage and challenge you today to lay it all down and allow God’s wisdom to enter your heart?
Surrender your inward motives, desires and thoughts. Allow the Spirit of Truth to light you up and work within you.
- Pastor Glenn
Rejected
It seems that almost everybody is affected by rejection to some degree. It's vital to understand how it works, and how to apply the cure.
Why does rejection wound us so deeply?
Because it attacks the very person that we are. It destroys our self-esteem, and attacks who we are and our purpose in life. This is why it is one of the most common tools the devil will use to destroy a person's life. God never wanted us to feel rejected or abandoned. He desires for you to know who you really are, and realize how deeply He loves, accepts, and appreciates you, so that you can live out the fullness of what all God has ordained you to be. God's Word tells us that without being rooted and grounded in the love (and acceptance) of God, we cannot experience the fullness of God in our lives:
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19
Rejection has a way of destroying a person's life in a way that few other things can. The sad fact is that the number of people who are affected by rejection is staggering. If we want to be all that God has created us to be, then overcoming rejection and it's affects is vital and absolutely essential.
The fruit of rejection
Many people who have faced rejection and abuse as a child, grow up with unresolved emotional wounds. Rejection causes emotional wounds, which if not cleansed and released, will grow and fester into spiritual wounds (such as unforgiveness, envy, blaming God, jealousy, etc.). Those spiritual wounds open us up to evil spirits which love to take advantage of this opportunity to invade us. The goal of the enemy is to get us built up with emotional baggage inside and negative feelings in our hearts against one another, ourselves, and God.
Rejection has a lot of fruit which can widely vary from one person to another. Some of the common symptoms of rejection include:
Rebellion in both children and adults
Fabricated personalities (being somebody you aren't, in order to be accepted)
The tendency to reject others, so that you aren't the first one to be rejected
A tendency to always wonder if a person rejects or accepts you
The need to fit in or be accepted by others and be a part of everything
Self-pity where a person feels bad for themselves being all alone
Inability to be corrected or receive constructive criticism
Rejection creates an environment where you are starved for love or just don't fit in
A tendency to blame God ("Why did He give me this big nose? Why did God make me so short?")
A sense of pride that says, "How dare they reject me!"
Opinionated personality and the need to be right about things
Feelings of worthlessness, insecurity, or hopelessness
Seeking a parent's approval is a sign that your basing your identity upon what they think of you
Envy, jealousy, and even hate can be rooted in rejection
Fear of confrontation (because your identity is based upon what they think of you)
Wow, that’s a long list!
A person who has a hard time admitting they are wrong, or receiving constructive criticism has an underlying problem with rejection. How do we know that? Because they are basing their identity, who they are, upon their ability to be right about everything. Stubbornness can also be rooted in rejection as well for this same reason. They have to be right, or else they feel worthless... that's because "who they are" (their identity) is based upon them being right. This also ties in with opinionated personalities, who are always there to tell you all about something, even if they have little or no real understanding to speak from.
Then we have performance orientation and drivenness, certain variances of OCD, etc. where a person is basing their identity and who they are upon how well they perform at something in life. Whenever we base who we are upon our performance, or our being correct about something, then we fail, it is a blow to our identity.
Those who struggle with rejection can also become what we call fixers; a fixer is a person who is eager to tell everybody else how they need to be doing things, but many times have little understanding or experience in such matters. Such a person attempts to be the Holy Spirit in other people's lives, where they have no authority or right to step in. They find their identity in fixing other people's problems, and they love it when people come to them for help or advise.
The truth is that we were created to be loved, accepted, and appreciated. Rejection is an anti-Christ spirit because it opposes the very nature that God created in us. Rejection starves a person from love and acceptance that they were designed to receive. The problem is that when we turn to others or even ourselves for that love and acceptance, we are setting ourselves up for failure and the damage of rejection. Only God can be trusted as the source of our identity.
Self-rejection is another piece to this puzzle. Self-rejection is where a person rejects them self. They do not like who they are. This can often lead to self-hate, self-resentment, etc. It is often tied in with self-unforgiveness, if the person has made mistakes in their life which they deeply regret. Just as it hurts when others reject us, it can do just as much damage when we reject ourselves.
Then there's perceived rejection, where a person receives something as rejection when it really isn't. For example, "Why is that person not coming over here to talk to me?" When the person may not be trying to reject you, but just feel shy at the time in stepping out and meeting you (or anybody else for that matter). People who have spirits of rejection can have a tenancy to receive perceived rejection, because the purpose of a spirit of rejection is to make us feel rejected.
A person who feels like God is always angry at them usually has issues of rejection. Perceived rejection can also make a person feel as if God has rejected them.
A good example of rejection, which caused feelings of envy, jealousy, and even hate to surface in King Saul can be found in 1 Samuel:
As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice.
1 Samuel 18:7-11
I was reading my Bible one day, when this passage really stood out to me. First, we see the women praising David for slaying his ten thousands, but Saul for slaying his thousands. This rejection made Saul angry with David, and jealous of him. The very next day, an evil spirit came upon Saul and caused him to become really angry, to the point of attempting to murder David! Now there's some ugly fruit that all started with rejection. It wasn't rejection that opened Saul up to the evil spirit, but rather his reaction to his rejection.
The same is true when a person becomes stubborn or rebellious, or any other ungodly reaction to rejection. The rejection isn't the sin, but their reaction can be a serious sin. This can open the person up to unclean spirits, and lead them down the path of destruction. God's Word puts stubbornness and rebellion, for example, in the same category as witchcraft and idol worship!
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
1 Samuel 15:23
The root of rejection
The root of rejection is actually incredibly simple: damage from rejection is the result of a misplaced identity. Whenever we base our identity on somebody or something other than what God's Word has to say about us, we make ourselves vulnerable to the damage of rejection. Many of us will base our identity on what our parents, teachers, or friends think of us. This sets a lot of children up for Performance Orientation bondages later in life, because their parents give them conditional love based on their grades or performance.
What or who defines who you are? Is it your job? Is it what your parents thought or think of you? Is it what your friends think of you? Is it how well you perform in the workplace? How much money you have? Is it how good of grades you get? Is it what you think of yourself? Is it how physically strong, fit, or tall you are? When you die, will those things continue to define who you are?
Rejection and rising above rejection is all about identity and what you base your identity upon. The key to overcoming rejection, is to solve the identity problems.
Let's say that you are basing your identity on what your mother and father think of you. Now the moment that any hint of disapproval comes from them concerning you, that is going to hurt because they are the source of your identity. Anytime we base our identity on what we think of ourselves, or what others think of us, we are virtually trusting that person with our identity. Not even ourselves are capable of truly determining who we are; only God is qualified for that job. That is why it is absolutely vital for us to understand the person that God has made in us, and who we are as new creations in Christ Jesus. We were never made to live apart from God or base our identity on things of this world.
When we base our identity upon what the Word of God has to say about us, we will become virtually rejection-proof. We can become immune from the wounds of rejection as long as we are not basing our identity upon what that person thinks of us.
Some dynamics of rejection
The closer a person is to you, the deeper their rejection can wound you. Authority figures are also able to deeply wound you, because you look up to them and rely upon them. Parents often pass rejection on to their children when they say things such as, "I'll love you when you get good grades." Conditional love causes feelings of rejection and bondages such as performance orientation and drivenness.
Whether you love or hate a person doesn't immune anybody from rejection. You can literally want to kill somebody, but still be affected by their rejection. The question is, are you looking to them for approval? Are you basing your identity upon what they think of you? Does their approval of you give your life meaning and purpose?
A person's age also has a lot to do with their vulnerability to rejection. Teens are especially vulnerable to the damage of rejection, because they are still developing their identity and learning about who they are. A lot of damage is done by peers in school. Either your too short, too tall, too fat, too skinny, you have brown eyes when you should have blue eyes... you name it, and people will pick on it! Insecure teens can be very cruel and damage others through rejection. Why? Because their own identity is not based on the right things. They do not know who they really are, or who they are called to be, so they go around putting other people down to make themselves feel better. If they knew who they were in Christ, it would be an entirely different story! There is an old but true saying – “hurt people hurt people”. They would try to encourage and build up other people, and help them find their identity and calling as well.
Get your identity from God's Word!
As I mentioned earlier, it is vital that we base our identity, who we are, upon what God's Word says about us. When we do, we become virtually immune from the devastating and hurtful effects of rejection. God promises never to leave or forsake us, so when our identity is based upon what He says of us, we can be assured that we're not going to face rejection coming from Him.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5
So what exactly does God's Word tell us about who we are in Christ?
Because of God's great love for us, we are adopted into His family [1 John 3:1], and made joint heirs with Christ [Romans 8:17]
We are made to sit in heavenly places (of authority over all demons, sickness, etc.) with Christ [Ephesians 2:6]
We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ [Ephesians 1:3]
We are the righteousness of Christ through faith, thus being made right before God [Romans 3:22]
We are entitled to a clean conscience before God because of the Blood and can have full assurance of faith when we go before Him [Hebrews 10:22]
Our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west [Psalms 103:12], and God Himself has chosen not to remember our failures [Hebrews 8:12]
We are loved with the same love that the Father has for Jesus Himself! [John 17:23]
I could go on and on, because the Word of God is so rich and powerful in helping us define who we are in Christ. One of my favorite books to recommend when it comes to this subject is Victory over Darkness by Neil T. Anderson. His book on this subject is an incredible tool to change the way we see ourselves through the eyes of God's Word.
There's one verse in Psalms that really puts the light on how we can be freed from the devastating effects of rejection:
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Psalms 27:10
Overcoming religious strongholds is necessary to overcome the effects of rejection. You're not going to settle rejection issues fully until you get it down into your spirit that you are accepted, loved, and appreciated by God. Dealing with religious strongholds is vital to this process, as religion paints God as distant, cold, and impersonal. Bringing your relationship with God into proper perspective is a vital step in the process of overcoming the strongholds of rejection.
Tearing down the strongholds of rejection is as simple as merely receiving, with childlike faith, what God's Word has to say about your identity, who you are as a new creature in Christ, who is called to life, purpose, and meaning in Christ.
Other factors for healing
Intentional rejection is basically emotional abuse in it's most simple form. It wounds a person's spirit, sometimes slightly, other times those wounds can be deep and very painful. Those wounds must be healed, and there are some articles on this site which address the subject of inner healing which can be very helpful in this healing process:
The one thing that you absolutely cannot overlook is correcting your identity. You need to start seeing yourself for who you are in Christ, and the person that God has really formed within you. Your identity must come from Him and what His Word says about you. Printing out lists of Bible verses which speak of who you are in Christ are incredible tools to help renew your mind and tear down these strongholds. In the healing process of rejection, many times strongholds need to be torn down.
Forgiven sinner or saint?
The Holy Spirit has shown me that whenever we feel the hurt and pain from rejection, it's because we our identity depends upon what that person thinks of us. If our identity didn't depend on what others think of us, we would be virtually immune from the damage of rejection. That is why our identity must be based upon the Word of God, and what God has to say about us. That is the unshakable rock to which we need to build our house upon.
The wounds of rejection can open a person up to spirits such as abandonment, rejection, worthlessness, etc. Those who have ongoing struggles with rejection should go through the deliverance process to have those spirits removed. There are often other bondages that result from rejection, such as performance orientation, drivenness, rebellion, etc. Rejection is an open door to a wide variety of bondages. Lack of love as a child, for example, can cause that child to turn to pornography and lust to fulfill their need to be loved, and now we have unloving spirits, lust, pornography, etc. to deal with. As with abuse, it's not so much the rejection that opens us up to unclean spirits, but rather our reaction to the rejection. As a said, true rejection is just an emotional form of abuse.
God spoke to me one time and said, "How is your heart towards that person who's rejected you? Do you love them as I have commanded you?" Forgiving that person who has rejected us is a vital step in this process. If we want God's help in this healing process, then forgiveness is not an option. Sometimes we even have to forgive God in cases of rejection, such as "Why did God give me this big nose? Or this short body?" I've even struggled with unforgiveness against God because I thought He was just too hard to please, as a result of a religious bondage. Religion, as with so many other things, can also tie in with rejection bondages.
Don't live in rejection. Live in the fact the you are deeply loved by God Himself.
- Pastor Glenn
It seems that almost everybody is affected by rejection to some degree. It's vital to understand how it works, and how to apply the cure.
Why does rejection wound us so deeply?
Because it attacks the very person that we are. It destroys our self-esteem, and attacks who we are and our purpose in life. This is why it is one of the most common tools the devil will use to destroy a person's life. God never wanted us to feel rejected or abandoned. He desires for you to know who you really are, and realize how deeply He loves, accepts, and appreciates you, so that you can live out the fullness of what all God has ordained you to be. God's Word tells us that without being rooted and grounded in the love (and acceptance) of God, we cannot experience the fullness of God in our lives:
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19
Rejection has a way of destroying a person's life in a way that few other things can. The sad fact is that the number of people who are affected by rejection is staggering. If we want to be all that God has created us to be, then overcoming rejection and it's affects is vital and absolutely essential.
The fruit of rejection
Many people who have faced rejection and abuse as a child, grow up with unresolved emotional wounds. Rejection causes emotional wounds, which if not cleansed and released, will grow and fester into spiritual wounds (such as unforgiveness, envy, blaming God, jealousy, etc.). Those spiritual wounds open us up to evil spirits which love to take advantage of this opportunity to invade us. The goal of the enemy is to get us built up with emotional baggage inside and negative feelings in our hearts against one another, ourselves, and God.
Rejection has a lot of fruit which can widely vary from one person to another. Some of the common symptoms of rejection include:
Rebellion in both children and adults
Fabricated personalities (being somebody you aren't, in order to be accepted)
The tendency to reject others, so that you aren't the first one to be rejected
A tendency to always wonder if a person rejects or accepts you
The need to fit in or be accepted by others and be a part of everything
Self-pity where a person feels bad for themselves being all alone
Inability to be corrected or receive constructive criticism
Rejection creates an environment where you are starved for love or just don't fit in
A tendency to blame God ("Why did He give me this big nose? Why did God make me so short?")
A sense of pride that says, "How dare they reject me!"
Opinionated personality and the need to be right about things
Feelings of worthlessness, insecurity, or hopelessness
Seeking a parent's approval is a sign that your basing your identity upon what they think of you
Envy, jealousy, and even hate can be rooted in rejection
Fear of confrontation (because your identity is based upon what they think of you)
Wow, that’s a long list!
A person who has a hard time admitting they are wrong, or receiving constructive criticism has an underlying problem with rejection. How do we know that? Because they are basing their identity, who they are, upon their ability to be right about everything. Stubbornness can also be rooted in rejection as well for this same reason. They have to be right, or else they feel worthless... that's because "who they are" (their identity) is based upon them being right. This also ties in with opinionated personalities, who are always there to tell you all about something, even if they have little or no real understanding to speak from.
Then we have performance orientation and drivenness, certain variances of OCD, etc. where a person is basing their identity and who they are upon how well they perform at something in life. Whenever we base who we are upon our performance, or our being correct about something, then we fail, it is a blow to our identity.
Those who struggle with rejection can also become what we call fixers; a fixer is a person who is eager to tell everybody else how they need to be doing things, but many times have little understanding or experience in such matters. Such a person attempts to be the Holy Spirit in other people's lives, where they have no authority or right to step in. They find their identity in fixing other people's problems, and they love it when people come to them for help or advise.
The truth is that we were created to be loved, accepted, and appreciated. Rejection is an anti-Christ spirit because it opposes the very nature that God created in us. Rejection starves a person from love and acceptance that they were designed to receive. The problem is that when we turn to others or even ourselves for that love and acceptance, we are setting ourselves up for failure and the damage of rejection. Only God can be trusted as the source of our identity.
Self-rejection is another piece to this puzzle. Self-rejection is where a person rejects them self. They do not like who they are. This can often lead to self-hate, self-resentment, etc. It is often tied in with self-unforgiveness, if the person has made mistakes in their life which they deeply regret. Just as it hurts when others reject us, it can do just as much damage when we reject ourselves.
Then there's perceived rejection, where a person receives something as rejection when it really isn't. For example, "Why is that person not coming over here to talk to me?" When the person may not be trying to reject you, but just feel shy at the time in stepping out and meeting you (or anybody else for that matter). People who have spirits of rejection can have a tenancy to receive perceived rejection, because the purpose of a spirit of rejection is to make us feel rejected.
A person who feels like God is always angry at them usually has issues of rejection. Perceived rejection can also make a person feel as if God has rejected them.
A good example of rejection, which caused feelings of envy, jealousy, and even hate to surface in King Saul can be found in 1 Samuel:
As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice.
1 Samuel 18:7-11
I was reading my Bible one day, when this passage really stood out to me. First, we see the women praising David for slaying his ten thousands, but Saul for slaying his thousands. This rejection made Saul angry with David, and jealous of him. The very next day, an evil spirit came upon Saul and caused him to become really angry, to the point of attempting to murder David! Now there's some ugly fruit that all started with rejection. It wasn't rejection that opened Saul up to the evil spirit, but rather his reaction to his rejection.
The same is true when a person becomes stubborn or rebellious, or any other ungodly reaction to rejection. The rejection isn't the sin, but their reaction can be a serious sin. This can open the person up to unclean spirits, and lead them down the path of destruction. God's Word puts stubbornness and rebellion, for example, in the same category as witchcraft and idol worship!
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
1 Samuel 15:23
The root of rejection
The root of rejection is actually incredibly simple: damage from rejection is the result of a misplaced identity. Whenever we base our identity on somebody or something other than what God's Word has to say about us, we make ourselves vulnerable to the damage of rejection. Many of us will base our identity on what our parents, teachers, or friends think of us. This sets a lot of children up for Performance Orientation bondages later in life, because their parents give them conditional love based on their grades or performance.
What or who defines who you are? Is it your job? Is it what your parents thought or think of you? Is it what your friends think of you? Is it how well you perform in the workplace? How much money you have? Is it how good of grades you get? Is it what you think of yourself? Is it how physically strong, fit, or tall you are? When you die, will those things continue to define who you are?
Rejection and rising above rejection is all about identity and what you base your identity upon. The key to overcoming rejection, is to solve the identity problems.
Let's say that you are basing your identity on what your mother and father think of you. Now the moment that any hint of disapproval comes from them concerning you, that is going to hurt because they are the source of your identity. Anytime we base our identity on what we think of ourselves, or what others think of us, we are virtually trusting that person with our identity. Not even ourselves are capable of truly determining who we are; only God is qualified for that job. That is why it is absolutely vital for us to understand the person that God has made in us, and who we are as new creations in Christ Jesus. We were never made to live apart from God or base our identity on things of this world.
When we base our identity upon what the Word of God has to say about us, we will become virtually rejection-proof. We can become immune from the wounds of rejection as long as we are not basing our identity upon what that person thinks of us.
Some dynamics of rejection
The closer a person is to you, the deeper their rejection can wound you. Authority figures are also able to deeply wound you, because you look up to them and rely upon them. Parents often pass rejection on to their children when they say things such as, "I'll love you when you get good grades." Conditional love causes feelings of rejection and bondages such as performance orientation and drivenness.
Whether you love or hate a person doesn't immune anybody from rejection. You can literally want to kill somebody, but still be affected by their rejection. The question is, are you looking to them for approval? Are you basing your identity upon what they think of you? Does their approval of you give your life meaning and purpose?
A person's age also has a lot to do with their vulnerability to rejection. Teens are especially vulnerable to the damage of rejection, because they are still developing their identity and learning about who they are. A lot of damage is done by peers in school. Either your too short, too tall, too fat, too skinny, you have brown eyes when you should have blue eyes... you name it, and people will pick on it! Insecure teens can be very cruel and damage others through rejection. Why? Because their own identity is not based on the right things. They do not know who they really are, or who they are called to be, so they go around putting other people down to make themselves feel better. If they knew who they were in Christ, it would be an entirely different story! There is an old but true saying – “hurt people hurt people”. They would try to encourage and build up other people, and help them find their identity and calling as well.
Get your identity from God's Word!
As I mentioned earlier, it is vital that we base our identity, who we are, upon what God's Word says about us. When we do, we become virtually immune from the devastating and hurtful effects of rejection. God promises never to leave or forsake us, so when our identity is based upon what He says of us, we can be assured that we're not going to face rejection coming from Him.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5
So what exactly does God's Word tell us about who we are in Christ?
Because of God's great love for us, we are adopted into His family [1 John 3:1], and made joint heirs with Christ [Romans 8:17]
We are made to sit in heavenly places (of authority over all demons, sickness, etc.) with Christ [Ephesians 2:6]
We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ [Ephesians 1:3]
We are the righteousness of Christ through faith, thus being made right before God [Romans 3:22]
We are entitled to a clean conscience before God because of the Blood and can have full assurance of faith when we go before Him [Hebrews 10:22]
Our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west [Psalms 103:12], and God Himself has chosen not to remember our failures [Hebrews 8:12]
We are loved with the same love that the Father has for Jesus Himself! [John 17:23]
I could go on and on, because the Word of God is so rich and powerful in helping us define who we are in Christ. One of my favorite books to recommend when it comes to this subject is Victory over Darkness by Neil T. Anderson. His book on this subject is an incredible tool to change the way we see ourselves through the eyes of God's Word.
There's one verse in Psalms that really puts the light on how we can be freed from the devastating effects of rejection:
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Psalms 27:10
Overcoming religious strongholds is necessary to overcome the effects of rejection. You're not going to settle rejection issues fully until you get it down into your spirit that you are accepted, loved, and appreciated by God. Dealing with religious strongholds is vital to this process, as religion paints God as distant, cold, and impersonal. Bringing your relationship with God into proper perspective is a vital step in the process of overcoming the strongholds of rejection.
Tearing down the strongholds of rejection is as simple as merely receiving, with childlike faith, what God's Word has to say about your identity, who you are as a new creature in Christ, who is called to life, purpose, and meaning in Christ.
Other factors for healing
Intentional rejection is basically emotional abuse in it's most simple form. It wounds a person's spirit, sometimes slightly, other times those wounds can be deep and very painful. Those wounds must be healed, and there are some articles on this site which address the subject of inner healing which can be very helpful in this healing process:
The one thing that you absolutely cannot overlook is correcting your identity. You need to start seeing yourself for who you are in Christ, and the person that God has really formed within you. Your identity must come from Him and what His Word says about you. Printing out lists of Bible verses which speak of who you are in Christ are incredible tools to help renew your mind and tear down these strongholds. In the healing process of rejection, many times strongholds need to be torn down.
Forgiven sinner or saint?
The Holy Spirit has shown me that whenever we feel the hurt and pain from rejection, it's because we our identity depends upon what that person thinks of us. If our identity didn't depend on what others think of us, we would be virtually immune from the damage of rejection. That is why our identity must be based upon the Word of God, and what God has to say about us. That is the unshakable rock to which we need to build our house upon.
The wounds of rejection can open a person up to spirits such as abandonment, rejection, worthlessness, etc. Those who have ongoing struggles with rejection should go through the deliverance process to have those spirits removed. There are often other bondages that result from rejection, such as performance orientation, drivenness, rebellion, etc. Rejection is an open door to a wide variety of bondages. Lack of love as a child, for example, can cause that child to turn to pornography and lust to fulfill their need to be loved, and now we have unloving spirits, lust, pornography, etc. to deal with. As with abuse, it's not so much the rejection that opens us up to unclean spirits, but rather our reaction to the rejection. As a said, true rejection is just an emotional form of abuse.
God spoke to me one time and said, "How is your heart towards that person who's rejected you? Do you love them as I have commanded you?" Forgiving that person who has rejected us is a vital step in this process. If we want God's help in this healing process, then forgiveness is not an option. Sometimes we even have to forgive God in cases of rejection, such as "Why did God give me this big nose? Or this short body?" I've even struggled with unforgiveness against God because I thought He was just too hard to please, as a result of a religious bondage. Religion, as with so many other things, can also tie in with rejection bondages.
Don't live in rejection. Live in the fact the you are deeply loved by God Himself.
- Pastor Glenn
This is such a major issue, we decided to share a few more thoughts on the subject.
Low self-esteem is an issue where many of us struggle. It’s not surprising, when you look around our world today. We are shown images on movies and TV of what people should look like, what we should drive, and the products we need to be happy, and it is not realistic at all. So how can you have confidence in the person you are right now?
God thoughtfully and precisely created YOU! Cell by cell...every detail of who you are was created by Him. You are loved by the God of the universe. He knows your thoughts and counts the hairs on your head. He knows everything you’ve done and will do and He still chooses you!
The world says our confidence is found in appearance, wealth, or stature. But God says our confidence is Him—knowing that He is guiding us, loving us, died for us to save us, and will never leave us. That is how we can stand tall every day. Our confidence is not in our own abilities but in God’s.
Question to ask yourself as you reflect on this devotion: do you struggle with self-esteem issues in your life? Here are some key Scriptures to look to for guidance from our Heavenly Father.
» Romans 8:38-39
» Ephesians 3:12
» 2 Timothy 1:7
» Hebrews 4:16
» Jeremiah 17:7
» Philippians 1:6
Low self-esteem is an issue where many of us struggle. It’s not surprising, when you look around our world today. We are shown images on movies and TV of what people should look like, what we should drive, and the products we need to be happy, and it is not realistic at all. So how can you have confidence in the person you are right now?
God thoughtfully and precisely created YOU! Cell by cell...every detail of who you are was created by Him. You are loved by the God of the universe. He knows your thoughts and counts the hairs on your head. He knows everything you’ve done and will do and He still chooses you!
The world says our confidence is found in appearance, wealth, or stature. But God says our confidence is Him—knowing that He is guiding us, loving us, died for us to save us, and will never leave us. That is how we can stand tall every day. Our confidence is not in our own abilities but in God’s.
Question to ask yourself as you reflect on this devotion: do you struggle with self-esteem issues in your life? Here are some key Scriptures to look to for guidance from our Heavenly Father.
» Romans 8:38-39
» Ephesians 3:12
» 2 Timothy 1:7
» Hebrews 4:16
» Jeremiah 17:7
» Philippians 1:6
“God, I totally trust you …. sort of”
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Ok, you’ve read a passage of scripture that jumped off the page and challenged your heart. Maybe you’ve heard an amazing sermon that stirred you up or you’ve just come from a conference or convention. You’ve shed a river of tears, surrendering it all to God. You are pumped, totally fired up and ready to take on the world and go full on for Jesus Christ.
Then the enemy takes a cheap shot at you and the “but God” and the “what if” thoughts start to roll around in your head. You’re like “God I want to serve you and trust you with it all, but that habit I have… the relationship I’m in… the places I like to go and the people I like to chill with…. God … hmmmm.
One of the biggest problems as humans is about our will. WE WANT. Whether Christian or otherwise.
King Solomon laid out the ultimate plan for success. It’s all about unconditional and total trust and surrender – putting God first in EVERY part of our lives.
Jesus said pretty much the same truth in Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
This verse comes with the condition of blessings only when God’s interests are number one.
Step back and take a serious look at your values and priorities. What attracts you? What or whom pulls you in? What’s really important to you? Where is God in all of that?
Does God come in as priority one in all you do? God wants you to be in a place of blessing and He wants to crown you with success. He wants you to stand before him one day so he can say “well done” because you had a focus of obedience and a desire to fulfill his purposes rather than your own.
In all our plans, decisions and activities we need to acknowledge God as Lord and his will as our ultimate desire above anything else. It’s about an everyday choice to live in a close, trusting relationship with God. It’s a daily decision to give it all to him. It’s trusting him to lead and it’s about us following his lead regardless of what everybody else is doing.
Have you really laid it down in total surrender today? Have you really trusted God in every thing and even asked him to remove all the obstacles that are keeping you from the ultimate goal of making the right choices and fully serving him?
Can I encourage you today to completely trust and completely surrender? Make it your heart’s priority to being continually absorbed in diligent effort to walk pleasing to God. See life in terms of eternity and zone in on the only thing that counts in view of it... trusting God and walking in obedience to him.
- Pastor Glenn
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Ok, you’ve read a passage of scripture that jumped off the page and challenged your heart. Maybe you’ve heard an amazing sermon that stirred you up or you’ve just come from a conference or convention. You’ve shed a river of tears, surrendering it all to God. You are pumped, totally fired up and ready to take on the world and go full on for Jesus Christ.
Then the enemy takes a cheap shot at you and the “but God” and the “what if” thoughts start to roll around in your head. You’re like “God I want to serve you and trust you with it all, but that habit I have… the relationship I’m in… the places I like to go and the people I like to chill with…. God … hmmmm.
One of the biggest problems as humans is about our will. WE WANT. Whether Christian or otherwise.
King Solomon laid out the ultimate plan for success. It’s all about unconditional and total trust and surrender – putting God first in EVERY part of our lives.
Jesus said pretty much the same truth in Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
This verse comes with the condition of blessings only when God’s interests are number one.
Step back and take a serious look at your values and priorities. What attracts you? What or whom pulls you in? What’s really important to you? Where is God in all of that?
Does God come in as priority one in all you do? God wants you to be in a place of blessing and He wants to crown you with success. He wants you to stand before him one day so he can say “well done” because you had a focus of obedience and a desire to fulfill his purposes rather than your own.
In all our plans, decisions and activities we need to acknowledge God as Lord and his will as our ultimate desire above anything else. It’s about an everyday choice to live in a close, trusting relationship with God. It’s a daily decision to give it all to him. It’s trusting him to lead and it’s about us following his lead regardless of what everybody else is doing.
Have you really laid it down in total surrender today? Have you really trusted God in every thing and even asked him to remove all the obstacles that are keeping you from the ultimate goal of making the right choices and fully serving him?
Can I encourage you today to completely trust and completely surrender? Make it your heart’s priority to being continually absorbed in diligent effort to walk pleasing to God. See life in terms of eternity and zone in on the only thing that counts in view of it... trusting God and walking in obedience to him.
- Pastor Glenn
“Lukewarm”
Grab your Bible and check out Revelation 3: 14-22
On a hot summer day wouldn’t a big glass of lukewarm water hit the spot? NOT!
Lukewarm water is … well just unpalatable. This passage of scripture in Revelation lays out a serious condition that affects a lot of people today.
Being a "lukewarm Christian" is when we say that we believe in God and His teachings, but then we don't live our lives in such a way that proves our beliefs. Jesus says to either be on fire for God as you serve Him or be utterly cold and reject Him. A lukewarm faith makes Him want to "spit you out of my mouth." When we serve God through our words or actions with a "hot" faith, we are very excited about doing His will. If our faith is "cold," that means we're rejecting God's will and following our own path instead.
A lot of people are playing the “lukewarm game” today. They play the “Christian card” when it’s convenient or if they are hangin with the “church crowd”, but in reality their words, actions, lifestyle, and attitudes are a complete opposite to what the Bible says is a godly life. Their Christian walk is merely a shallow and empty profession. They may have an outward glossy finish that’s as deep as it goes. Things, friends, and what this world offers are their real priority in life.
Here’s the facts:
Lukewarm faith is good for nothing
Lukewarm water is neither hot nor cold and therefore not that useful. It's not hot enough to bathe in, and it's not cold enough to drink. Bathing in lukewarm water doesn't make for a very satisfying shower; drinking lukewarm water makes a person sick to the stomach. Thus, in this metaphor, Jesus is saying to either be on fire for God as you serve Him or be utterly cold and reject Him. A lukewarm faith makes Him want to "spit you out of my mouth." Did you get that? Jesus would rather people reject Him than have a lukewarm faith! Lukewarm faith sickens Him!
When we serve God through our words or actions with a "hot" faith, we find ourselves very excited about doing His will. On the flipside, if our faith is "cold," that means we're rejecting God's will and following our own choice of path instead. Being a "lukewarm Christian" is when we say that we believe in God and His teachings, but then we don't live our lives in such a way that proves our beliefs.
Make your heart match your actions and vice versa.
We could be witnessing and preaching the gospel as much as we can, throwing Bible verses at people and telling them about Jesus, but if we are living a life of sin (or even apathy), continuing bad habits, living in bitterness or hatred, etc., our words are going to fall short and be meaningless to anyone. The people you talk to about Jesus will think, "She says she's a Christian, but look at how she lives."
So how do you stop being lukewarm? It's right there in verse 19: "be zealous and repent!" Being a zealous Christian means that you have great energy or enthusiasm about doing the will of God in your life. And of course, "repent" means that you decide to turn away from sin when it tempts you.
What does a "hot" faith look like?
Practically speaking, there are a few easy things we can do to help heat up our faith to the desired hotness. Pray. Read your Bible. Pray some more! Serve others. Love others. Love God and everything He does. Be forgiving. Be merciful. Truly care about others more than yourself. Talk to God regularly and ask Him for direction in all things.
It's important to note that works or good deeds cannot earn your salvation. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you have already been saved. But your salvation status doesn’t mean that you can live however you want either. God still has a way He wants His children to live; He wants you to be a light in the darkness, salt to the earth (Matthew 5:13-17) so that your life just screams that it is different. And it's how you live your life that will cause people to ask you questions about why you are the way you are. This is a great opportunity to talk to them about your faith in Christ. Hopefully, those conversations will be the seeds God can use to draw them to Him (John 6:44). The way you live your life is the biggest part of your witness as a Christ follower!
Don’t be a lukewarm Christian, God is not a lukewarm Savior.
Grab your Bible and check out Revelation 3: 14-22
On a hot summer day wouldn’t a big glass of lukewarm water hit the spot? NOT!
Lukewarm water is … well just unpalatable. This passage of scripture in Revelation lays out a serious condition that affects a lot of people today.
Being a "lukewarm Christian" is when we say that we believe in God and His teachings, but then we don't live our lives in such a way that proves our beliefs. Jesus says to either be on fire for God as you serve Him or be utterly cold and reject Him. A lukewarm faith makes Him want to "spit you out of my mouth." When we serve God through our words or actions with a "hot" faith, we are very excited about doing His will. If our faith is "cold," that means we're rejecting God's will and following our own path instead.
A lot of people are playing the “lukewarm game” today. They play the “Christian card” when it’s convenient or if they are hangin with the “church crowd”, but in reality their words, actions, lifestyle, and attitudes are a complete opposite to what the Bible says is a godly life. Their Christian walk is merely a shallow and empty profession. They may have an outward glossy finish that’s as deep as it goes. Things, friends, and what this world offers are their real priority in life.
Here’s the facts:
Lukewarm faith is good for nothing
Lukewarm water is neither hot nor cold and therefore not that useful. It's not hot enough to bathe in, and it's not cold enough to drink. Bathing in lukewarm water doesn't make for a very satisfying shower; drinking lukewarm water makes a person sick to the stomach. Thus, in this metaphor, Jesus is saying to either be on fire for God as you serve Him or be utterly cold and reject Him. A lukewarm faith makes Him want to "spit you out of my mouth." Did you get that? Jesus would rather people reject Him than have a lukewarm faith! Lukewarm faith sickens Him!
When we serve God through our words or actions with a "hot" faith, we find ourselves very excited about doing His will. On the flipside, if our faith is "cold," that means we're rejecting God's will and following our own choice of path instead. Being a "lukewarm Christian" is when we say that we believe in God and His teachings, but then we don't live our lives in such a way that proves our beliefs.
Make your heart match your actions and vice versa.
We could be witnessing and preaching the gospel as much as we can, throwing Bible verses at people and telling them about Jesus, but if we are living a life of sin (or even apathy), continuing bad habits, living in bitterness or hatred, etc., our words are going to fall short and be meaningless to anyone. The people you talk to about Jesus will think, "She says she's a Christian, but look at how she lives."
So how do you stop being lukewarm? It's right there in verse 19: "be zealous and repent!" Being a zealous Christian means that you have great energy or enthusiasm about doing the will of God in your life. And of course, "repent" means that you decide to turn away from sin when it tempts you.
What does a "hot" faith look like?
Practically speaking, there are a few easy things we can do to help heat up our faith to the desired hotness. Pray. Read your Bible. Pray some more! Serve others. Love others. Love God and everything He does. Be forgiving. Be merciful. Truly care about others more than yourself. Talk to God regularly and ask Him for direction in all things.
It's important to note that works or good deeds cannot earn your salvation. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you have already been saved. But your salvation status doesn’t mean that you can live however you want either. God still has a way He wants His children to live; He wants you to be a light in the darkness, salt to the earth (Matthew 5:13-17) so that your life just screams that it is different. And it's how you live your life that will cause people to ask you questions about why you are the way you are. This is a great opportunity to talk to them about your faith in Christ. Hopefully, those conversations will be the seeds God can use to draw them to Him (John 6:44). The way you live your life is the biggest part of your witness as a Christ follower!
Don’t be a lukewarm Christian, God is not a lukewarm Savior.
“In it to win it”
1 Corinthians 9:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Hebrews 12:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
There’s a whole lot more to being a Christian than praying a prayer to invite Jesus into your heart and life. In fact, that’s just the beginning – the starting line.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that the Christian life is like running a race. There is training, a start and a finish. There is discipline along the way and the need to get rid of anything that slows us down as we bear down on the finish line and the prize.
Christians are running toward a heavenly reward that outweighs anything this world claims to offer. The Christian life is important – it is everything because eternity is in the balance with every stride and step. Training and discipline are crucial because we have bodies and live in an environment that lures us to just be observers from the grandstand rather than full on participants.
Can I challenge you with a question to ask yourself?
“What is hindering me from running full on and full focused in my Christian race?
Could it be that friends and their influence are slowing you down? What about that relationship that really isn’t God focused? The over commitments you’ve made or perhaps your struggle to please or just fit in. The allure of the world and its latest gadgets are a big draw and can easily become the trail that holds only empty promises of happiness and fulfillment.
The Christian life means taking a serious look at things in view of eternity it causes us to evaluate the priorities, GOD’S PLAN and HIS PURPOSES rather than our own. It’s about HIS KINGDOM.
Yeah, it’s hard work and it requires giving up whatever (and perhaps even whomever) that endangers our relationship with God. But your eternity depends on it. To run patiently, and to struggle against sin and take authority over it in the power of the Holy Spirit. To live this life a run this, race in victory, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, not on our circumstances and surroundings. We take a tumble when we shift our eyes from Him.
Here are some running tips for you:
1. Run to win: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).
2. Observe strict discipline: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training… I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).
3. Don’t look back: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
4. Get constant encouragement: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us…run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
5. Throw off restraints: “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).
6. Discount pain: “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:22-24).
7. Don’t let up until you cross the line: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Can I encourage you today to run strong and run well? I want to see you at the finish line!
-Pastor Glenn
“Seasons change”
These are pictures of our back yard in summer and in winter. Huge difference right?
The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. Even the birds have a God-given ability to change with the times. There are also God-ordained seasons of life (check out Ecclesiastes 3) . We know the obvious ones–birth, childhood, youth, young adulthood, the middle years, the later years, and the final years.
And there is grade school, high school, college and beyond, singleness, marriage, children, the empty nest, grandchildren, and for some there is singleness a second time. There are jobs and careers, new homes and moves to distant places. Often there is success, sometimes there is failure. Friendships formed, nurtured, treasured, and sometimes broken, sometimes restored. There are seasons of health and seasons of sickness, seasons of certainty and seasons of doubt. There are happy days and long, lonely nights. If you live long enough, you will experience most of these and much more. Solomon reminded us of this truth in his famous passage about “a time to be born and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Happy are they who find joy in every season of life. God knows where you are today and he knows where you will be tomorrow.
Be encouraged today and rest in the fact that God Himself holds the seasons of your life in His hands. He is concerned about the small as well as the big. In fact, with God there is no big or small. He knows when a sparrow falls and He numbers the hairs on your head. He keeps track of the stars in the skies and the rivers that flow to the oceans. He sets the day of your birth, the day of your death, and He ordains everything that comes to pass in between. God uses everything and wastes nothing. There are no accidents with God, only incidents. This includes events that seem to us to be senseless tragedies. God’s ultimate purpose is to shape His children into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). He often uses difficult moments and human tragedies to accomplish that purpose.
No matter where you are or what you are going through, He wants to walk with you in that season.
-Pastor Glenn
Life can sometimes get crazy and things seem totally out of control. A person can so wrapped up in fear they lose focus. None of the pieces fit and there are more questions than answers. A person can even find themselves saying
“I’ve even started to doubt God”
Doubt is one of Satan's favorite ways to turn people away from God. He used it on Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), and he uses it against us all the time. One sneaky trick Satan knows is that if he plants a single seed of doubt in a person, that individual can allow it to grow without the Devil lifting a finger. Because of that, doubt really comes from two sources—Satan and ourselves.
Once doubt is placed firmly in our minds, it's hard to quash. If you're noticing bits of doubt in your thinking, then you should take action as soon as you can. The best remedy for doubt is prayer and Bible study. The more focus you have on God, the less focus you'll have on the world, and the stronger your faith will become. Something to seriously consider is the people you're hanging out with; if someone is causing you to doubt, then stay away from that person as much as possible. Even if your reasons for staying are good (like you're trying to witness to them) you could eventually become a hypocrite by preaching God's Word with the mindset of doubt.
Biblical Doubters
In the Bible, we can read about many men and women of God who experienced doubt. Most famously is a disciple named Thomas. He was very close to Jesus, but after Jesus was crucified and buried, Thomas doubted Christ's power to return from the dead. Thomas said he would only believe if he could see the holes in Jesus' hands and be able to touch the wound on His side. When Jesus returned, He said to Thomas, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).
Thomas believed only after he saw Jesus and touched His wounds, but what Jesus said next refers to US—those in the years to come who would never see Jesus in the flesh on Earth, yet they would still believe in Him. For many, obtaining this kind of faith can be difficult. Most people will doubt God at some point or another, but that doesn't mean we can't learn to believe without seeing. Faith, like any other endeavor, takes intentional practice and patience.
How do I overcome my doubt?
Even the most faithful Christian may struggle with doubt on occasion, just like the man who asked Jesus to heal his son in Mark 9. Jesus told him, "All things are possible for one who believes" (v. 23). The father cried out, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (v. 24). Do you ever feel that way? You know in your heart that something is true, but you're having a hard time convincing your brain?
Combating doubt may seem hard, but the keys are faith and trust, which go hand in hand. When we overthink our worries or become anxious about all the things, we begin to throw a shadow over our trust that God will help us through it all, and sinful doubt is all we're left with. No matter how logical our reasons may seem, God still knows best (1 Corinthians 1:20). Sometimes trusting God seems foolish in the light (or darkness) of life's problems, but His plans are far wiser than ours.
Faith is trusting God even when His plan goes against human reason or experience.
How do I strengthen my faith?
To strengthen your faith, dedicate yourself to regular Bible study and talk to God on a regular basis about all the things (Romans 10:17). God gave us the Bible to show us how He was trustworthy in the past so we can trust Him today (Psalm 77:11). If we understand how God works with those who trust Him, then we can begin to trust Him with our own life situations.
You may be amazed at how quickly you turn back to God. If you think there's even a chance you're doubting God's sovereignty or trustworthiness, then start fighting against it before you lose sight of your Savior. "He who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind" (James 1:6). Whatever you do, never give up on God, because He will never give up on you!
“I want my life to glorify God”
"Glorifying" God means giving Him all the honor and praise for all things and holding Him up to a high place of honor in your heart. Why should we glorify God? Well, He is the Creator of everything—including us!—and He alone deserves the glory for all the good things we see and experience (Isaiah 42:5, 8). Being glorious is a part of God's very nature, and when we give Him glory, we are acknowledging that we recognize His glorious nature (1 Chronicles 16:28-29).
Glorifying and loving God are basically the same thing.
In John 14:15, Jesus says, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." So that leads us to the conclusion that glorifying God means that we obey His commands, living our lives according to His principles for life that we can find in the Bible (Isaiah 43:7; Psalm 19:7).
That then leads us to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, which is "whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." The next couple verses go on to talk about how we should live our lives in a way that always puts others before ourselves. Jesus was certainly selfless, and His life is a great example for us.
Glorifying God = action.
Anything done by a person who professes to be a Christian should give the world an accurate picture of who God is in righteousness, faithfulness, and excellence. Just saying you glorify God means nothing; you must actually do it!
1 Chronicles 16:29 talks about how we should "bring an offering" to God. What kind of offering? How about this kind: your LIFE. Glorifying God with our lives means that we correctly represent Christ with our words and actions (Psalm 103:17-18; John 13:35).
How do I know if I'm glorifying God?
Let's apply 1 Corinthians 10:31 to whatever it is you're doing—whether it's taking exams, watching movies, participating in an online community, or whatever. You are a living representation of Christ because you claim to be a Christian, therefore, in all things you do, do them as Christ would do them.
For example, when you're in school, you glorify God by doing your best on exams, by respecting your teachers and classmates, by doing your best to be an excellent student. When you're watching a movie, you don't allow amoral or violent behavior to influence or shake your own convictions. When you're a part of an online community, you treat others with kindness and encourage them rather than be a troll.
God is holy, faithful, merciful, loving, and filled with grace for others. Glorifying God means that we live out those same attributes in our own lives—or least try our hardest to do so. It's not always going to be easy, and yes, we’re going to mess up sometimes. But it's OK. As long as we get back up and keep fighting our sinful nature, trading it for God's glorious nature instead, we will be glorifying God.
"Glorifying" God means giving Him all the honor and praise for all things and holding Him up to a high place of honor in your heart. Why should we glorify God? Well, He is the Creator of everything—including us!—and He alone deserves the glory for all the good things we see and experience (Isaiah 42:5, 8). Being glorious is a part of God's very nature, and when we give Him glory, we are acknowledging that we recognize His glorious nature (1 Chronicles 16:28-29).
Glorifying and loving God are basically the same thing.
In John 14:15, Jesus says, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." So that leads us to the conclusion that glorifying God means that we obey His commands, living our lives according to His principles for life that we can find in the Bible (Isaiah 43:7; Psalm 19:7).
That then leads us to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, which is "whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." The next couple verses go on to talk about how we should live our lives in a way that always puts others before ourselves. Jesus was certainly selfless, and His life is a great example for us.
Glorifying God = action.
Anything done by a person who professes to be a Christian should give the world an accurate picture of who God is in righteousness, faithfulness, and excellence. Just saying you glorify God means nothing; you must actually do it!
1 Chronicles 16:29 talks about how we should "bring an offering" to God. What kind of offering? How about this kind: your LIFE. Glorifying God with our lives means that we correctly represent Christ with our words and actions (Psalm 103:17-18; John 13:35).
How do I know if I'm glorifying God?
Let's apply 1 Corinthians 10:31 to whatever it is you're doing—whether it's taking exams, watching movies, participating in an online community, or whatever. You are a living representation of Christ because you claim to be a Christian, therefore, in all things you do, do them as Christ would do them.
For example, when you're in school, you glorify God by doing your best on exams, by respecting your teachers and classmates, by doing your best to be an excellent student. When you're watching a movie, you don't allow amoral or violent behavior to influence or shake your own convictions. When you're a part of an online community, you treat others with kindness and encourage them rather than be a troll.
God is holy, faithful, merciful, loving, and filled with grace for others. Glorifying God means that we live out those same attributes in our own lives—or least try our hardest to do so. It's not always going to be easy, and yes, we’re going to mess up sometimes. But it's OK. As long as we get back up and keep fighting our sinful nature, trading it for God's glorious nature instead, we will be glorifying God.
Total Surrender
"Surrender" is a military term which refers to ceasing resistance to an enemy or opponent and submitting to their authority. In the spiritual sense, we are in a battle between our will and the will of God. Since we are born sinful, we will always struggle with wanting to do the sinful thing (Romans 8:20-22; Romans 5:12). Just look at a 2-year old who doesn't get her cookie. No one taught her to throw a temper tantrum, but she will do it anyway because human beings are selfish and self-centered at the core.
When we reach the age when we can make moral choices, we must CHOOSE. We have to decide if we will follow our own sinful desires and impulses or to follow God's will instead (Joshua 24:15). God promises that when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). When we find Him, we have a choice to make: do we continue following our own sinful will, or do we surrender to HIS will? Thus, giving up the fight against the sinful nature (Romans 6:13).
The First Surrender
If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you have already begun to surrender to God (John 6:44; Acts 2:21). When you decide to stop doing things to earn God's grace and rely totally on Jesus's work for our salvation, then you've surrendered to becoming a part of God's family (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
As you continue your life as a new creation, you can continue surrendering parts of your life to Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill you with God's Glory instead (Ephesians 5:18). When we're filled with the Spirit, we start acting and talking more like Jesus (Galatians 5:22). The more we surrender to God, the more our old sinful nature is replaced God's nature (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25). What He's saying is that if we follow Him, we WIN the struggle—we are victors in the battle against sin.
Surrendering to God in Day-to-Day Life
Surrendering to God is not exactly about giving up total control over every single little thing. Obviously we still need to make choices about our daily lives and plan for the future. Surrendering to God is more about aligning what you want with what God wants and being willing to follow Him as He guides you in your life.
When it comes to schoolwork, mending a broken relationship, obeying your parents, or whatever, it can be hard to visualize what it means to surrender these things to God. Think of it this way: When you're deciding what to do in any given situation, you must CHOOSE to allow God to take the lead on what happens.
Yes, study hard for your exam. Yes, take the time to speak in love to your friend. Yes, listen to your parents and respect them. But in the end, TRUST God with the results of those efforts. Proverbs 16:9 says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
The Point of Surrender
Surrendering your life to Jesus is about choosing HIS way over yours. It's about TRUSTING that He is in control of the outcome. It's about deciding that your sin is not as important as fulfilling God's will. If surrendering still sounds scary to you, take heart—God’s plan for our lives will always benefit us (Jeremiah 29:11), unlike our own plans, which often lead to self-destruction (Proverbs 14:12).
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit' - yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." —James 4:13-17
The whole goal of the Christian life can really be summed up by Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." God loves and honors a life that is surrendered to Him, and He rewards that life with the greatest fulfillment you could ever imagine (Luke 6:22-23).
Surrendering to God is not exactly about giving up total control over every single little thing. Obviously we still need to make choices about our daily lives and plan for the future. Surrendering to God is more about aligning what you want with what God wants and being willing to follow Him as He guides you in your life (Galatians 2:20). God loves and honors a life that is surrendered to Him, and He rewards that life with the greatest fulfillment you could ever imagine (Luke 6:22-23).
"Surrender" is a military term which refers to ceasing resistance to an enemy or opponent and submitting to their authority. In the spiritual sense, we are in a battle between our will and the will of God. Since we are born sinful, we will always struggle with wanting to do the sinful thing (Romans 8:20-22; Romans 5:12). Just look at a 2-year old who doesn't get her cookie. No one taught her to throw a temper tantrum, but she will do it anyway because human beings are selfish and self-centered at the core.
When we reach the age when we can make moral choices, we must CHOOSE. We have to decide if we will follow our own sinful desires and impulses or to follow God's will instead (Joshua 24:15). God promises that when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). When we find Him, we have a choice to make: do we continue following our own sinful will, or do we surrender to HIS will? Thus, giving up the fight against the sinful nature (Romans 6:13).
The First Surrender
If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, you have already begun to surrender to God (John 6:44; Acts 2:21). When you decide to stop doing things to earn God's grace and rely totally on Jesus's work for our salvation, then you've surrendered to becoming a part of God's family (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
As you continue your life as a new creation, you can continue surrendering parts of your life to Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill you with God's Glory instead (Ephesians 5:18). When we're filled with the Spirit, we start acting and talking more like Jesus (Galatians 5:22). The more we surrender to God, the more our old sinful nature is replaced God's nature (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25). What He's saying is that if we follow Him, we WIN the struggle—we are victors in the battle against sin.
Surrendering to God in Day-to-Day Life
Surrendering to God is not exactly about giving up total control over every single little thing. Obviously we still need to make choices about our daily lives and plan for the future. Surrendering to God is more about aligning what you want with what God wants and being willing to follow Him as He guides you in your life.
When it comes to schoolwork, mending a broken relationship, obeying your parents, or whatever, it can be hard to visualize what it means to surrender these things to God. Think of it this way: When you're deciding what to do in any given situation, you must CHOOSE to allow God to take the lead on what happens.
Yes, study hard for your exam. Yes, take the time to speak in love to your friend. Yes, listen to your parents and respect them. But in the end, TRUST God with the results of those efforts. Proverbs 16:9 says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
The Point of Surrender
Surrendering your life to Jesus is about choosing HIS way over yours. It's about TRUSTING that He is in control of the outcome. It's about deciding that your sin is not as important as fulfilling God's will. If surrendering still sounds scary to you, take heart—God’s plan for our lives will always benefit us (Jeremiah 29:11), unlike our own plans, which often lead to self-destruction (Proverbs 14:12).
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit' - yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." —James 4:13-17
The whole goal of the Christian life can really be summed up by Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." God loves and honors a life that is surrendered to Him, and He rewards that life with the greatest fulfillment you could ever imagine (Luke 6:22-23).
Surrendering to God is not exactly about giving up total control over every single little thing. Obviously we still need to make choices about our daily lives and plan for the future. Surrendering to God is more about aligning what you want with what God wants and being willing to follow Him as He guides you in your life (Galatians 2:20). God loves and honors a life that is surrendered to Him, and He rewards that life with the greatest fulfillment you could ever imagine (Luke 6:22-23).
Yeah, Jesus died but …. It’s my life and my body. Why can’t I just do what I want?
… Because a huge price was paid so that you could be free.
You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:20
When we are born, we are born into a sin nature. That means that we are literally unable to not sin and be perfect. When Adam and Eve fell from grace in the Garden of Eden by eating fruit from the tree that God told them they could not eat from, they introduced sin into the world (Genesis 3:6-7). Now, every human being since them has had a curse upon them. Because of this, we are helpless in our pursuit of a right relationship with our Creator, which is what we are ultimately created for.
The good news however, is that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to live a perfect life, and then die on the Cross to forgive us of all of our sins. Those who believe this to be true will have a right relationship with God restored and be given eternal life with Him. Once we accept Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection as the payment for our sins, and confess our sins to God, we are saved and forgiven of all our sins. This is great news, right?
Well, unfortunately we still get ourselves tangled up in sins every day. We get sucked into the abyss and start going down the road with the rest of the crowd. And if we're honest, we sometimes find those sins fun, don't we? So if all of our sins are forgiven anyway, does that mean we have a "license to sin"? Why don't we copy the homework of a really smart friend, or lie to our parents to get out of something, or stop worrying about talking to God? God will forgive us, right?
Let me suggest three reasons that, even though we are forgiven, we should not still continue to sin:
Sinning damages our relationship with those closest to us. When we sin, whether by telling a lie, saying hurtful words, or stealing, it makes a negative impact on our loved ones. Our family and friends may no longer trust us. They might not even want to hang out with us anymore. Even the smallest thing can turn into a big deal. If God says something violates His perfect law, it is sin. To commit a sin, even expecting to be forgiven for it later, will hurt our relationships and violate that scared trust that is so hard to find.
Sinning damages our relationship with ourselves. When we sin, we damage our inward relationship with ourselves through frustration or guilt. For one who has truly accepted Christ, the guilt of sin may weigh so heavily on their shoulders that they cannot think of anything else. This is not the life that God intended for you to live.
He died for you so that you may be forgiven of your sin, but also so that you can live an abundant life FREE from that need to sin (John 10:10). You cannot possibly live an abundant life if you are wrapped up in guilt and shame. Also, God allows consequences to happen to us when we sin. Even though we are eternally forgiven, sin still has consequences on this earth. Pain, scars, and other things may happen to us as a result of that sin. God has created these boundaries in part for our own protection. He knows what we should and shouldn't do to keep us safe, joyful, and healthy in all aspects of our lives.
Sinning damages our relationship with God. We were stuck in our sin before we accepted the gift of Jesus' death as payment for the penalty of our own sin. God wants to forgive and wants to restore our relationship with Him. When we intentionally sin, it hinders our relationship with our Creator because it insults Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. He did not die a brutal death so that we could keep intentionally sinning and expect to be forgiven. He came so that we could be forgiven, be made holy, and have the ability to choose to stop sinning.
That's what's called freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 3:17). Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Once we've accepted His love and His gift of salvation, when we sin, we can feel the separation from God. God does not want us to live a life of sin, but a life worthy of the calling we have received in Him (Ephesians 4:1).
We can't totally avoid sin all the time.
Yes, sin will always be at the door of our lives, trying to get its way in. Even the apostle Paul struggled with sin (Romans 7:7-25), but we have the good news that as Jesus died for our sins, so also we have died to sin with Him, and have been raised to life with Him. We are not slaves to sin anymore. Sin is not our master; God is our master. Sin harms us; God helps us.
When we truly surrender and choose to make life choices based on God's will, we grow our love for Him more and more. Perhaps one day, we won't even want to sin anymore. Perhaps at some point, we will come to hate sin, just as God hates sin (Psalm 5:5). Yes, we will always struggle with sin, but as long as we are struggling, that means that we haven't given in to it. Intentionally sinning without remorse or a desire to repent is not something one who has truly accepted Christ will want to do. God will forgive us when we sincerely repent. That's true grace for true sin. I'll leave you with this thought from the apostle Paul:
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life...
"For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin...Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires...For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." —Romans 6:1-4, 6-7, 12, 14
Thought: If you’ve given your life to Jesus and been freed from sin why go dumpster diving back into the
sewage you’ve been freed from?
… Because a huge price was paid so that you could be free.
You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:20
When we are born, we are born into a sin nature. That means that we are literally unable to not sin and be perfect. When Adam and Eve fell from grace in the Garden of Eden by eating fruit from the tree that God told them they could not eat from, they introduced sin into the world (Genesis 3:6-7). Now, every human being since them has had a curse upon them. Because of this, we are helpless in our pursuit of a right relationship with our Creator, which is what we are ultimately created for.
The good news however, is that God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to live a perfect life, and then die on the Cross to forgive us of all of our sins. Those who believe this to be true will have a right relationship with God restored and be given eternal life with Him. Once we accept Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection as the payment for our sins, and confess our sins to God, we are saved and forgiven of all our sins. This is great news, right?
Well, unfortunately we still get ourselves tangled up in sins every day. We get sucked into the abyss and start going down the road with the rest of the crowd. And if we're honest, we sometimes find those sins fun, don't we? So if all of our sins are forgiven anyway, does that mean we have a "license to sin"? Why don't we copy the homework of a really smart friend, or lie to our parents to get out of something, or stop worrying about talking to God? God will forgive us, right?
Let me suggest three reasons that, even though we are forgiven, we should not still continue to sin:
Sinning damages our relationship with those closest to us. When we sin, whether by telling a lie, saying hurtful words, or stealing, it makes a negative impact on our loved ones. Our family and friends may no longer trust us. They might not even want to hang out with us anymore. Even the smallest thing can turn into a big deal. If God says something violates His perfect law, it is sin. To commit a sin, even expecting to be forgiven for it later, will hurt our relationships and violate that scared trust that is so hard to find.
Sinning damages our relationship with ourselves. When we sin, we damage our inward relationship with ourselves through frustration or guilt. For one who has truly accepted Christ, the guilt of sin may weigh so heavily on their shoulders that they cannot think of anything else. This is not the life that God intended for you to live.
He died for you so that you may be forgiven of your sin, but also so that you can live an abundant life FREE from that need to sin (John 10:10). You cannot possibly live an abundant life if you are wrapped up in guilt and shame. Also, God allows consequences to happen to us when we sin. Even though we are eternally forgiven, sin still has consequences on this earth. Pain, scars, and other things may happen to us as a result of that sin. God has created these boundaries in part for our own protection. He knows what we should and shouldn't do to keep us safe, joyful, and healthy in all aspects of our lives.
Sinning damages our relationship with God. We were stuck in our sin before we accepted the gift of Jesus' death as payment for the penalty of our own sin. God wants to forgive and wants to restore our relationship with Him. When we intentionally sin, it hinders our relationship with our Creator because it insults Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. He did not die a brutal death so that we could keep intentionally sinning and expect to be forgiven. He came so that we could be forgiven, be made holy, and have the ability to choose to stop sinning.
That's what's called freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 3:17). Galatians 5:13 says, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Once we've accepted His love and His gift of salvation, when we sin, we can feel the separation from God. God does not want us to live a life of sin, but a life worthy of the calling we have received in Him (Ephesians 4:1).
We can't totally avoid sin all the time.
Yes, sin will always be at the door of our lives, trying to get its way in. Even the apostle Paul struggled with sin (Romans 7:7-25), but we have the good news that as Jesus died for our sins, so also we have died to sin with Him, and have been raised to life with Him. We are not slaves to sin anymore. Sin is not our master; God is our master. Sin harms us; God helps us.
When we truly surrender and choose to make life choices based on God's will, we grow our love for Him more and more. Perhaps one day, we won't even want to sin anymore. Perhaps at some point, we will come to hate sin, just as God hates sin (Psalm 5:5). Yes, we will always struggle with sin, but as long as we are struggling, that means that we haven't given in to it. Intentionally sinning without remorse or a desire to repent is not something one who has truly accepted Christ will want to do. God will forgive us when we sincerely repent. That's true grace for true sin. I'll leave you with this thought from the apostle Paul:
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life...
"For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin...Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires...For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." —Romans 6:1-4, 6-7, 12, 14
Thought: If you’ve given your life to Jesus and been freed from sin why go dumpster diving back into the
sewage you’ve been freed from?
- Pastor Glenn
I do trust You God, and I'm trying really hard but I still have times of overwhelming anxiety
Anxiety is real. You know it and I know it, because I'm in the raging waters with you.
I've listened to so many sermons on anxiety, and after a while, all the preachers sound the same. They all use the same verses, like Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." And there is nothing wrong with this verse at all; it's just that every time I've heard it used by a pastor, they make it seem so easy. Like it's a kind of formula that will wipe away all my anxieties. Just tell God your problems, and everything will be fine! Riiiight.
But it seems like they're all looking at it from the outside. At least that's what I thought until I came across a sermon series by Louie Giglio*. He got it. He got it because he's been there. And his sermons actually helped! But I think what helped the most was when he said that anxiety was real. And anxiety was big.
Thank you. Yes, anxiety is real, it is big, and it can be really, really scary. But thankfully, we have a God who can—and will—overcome anxiety.
My biggest struggle with anxiety is that I DO trust God. Many people say, "Just trust God, everything will be okay." That's something that's really easy to say, but not a really good suggestion to someone with anxiety issues.
Let me clarify quick. Fear and anxiety can be normal things. They are actually God-given emotions to let us know when we are in danger or when something isn't right. However, these things become ungodly when we allow them to move into our lives and stay there or even run our decisions. Sometimes we don't even realize anxiety until it seems like it is too late. You may feel like you're in that spot right now.
The Struggle is Real
Yes, I've had panic attacks. Yes, I have anxiety. But YES, I also trust God. Let me say this to all of you in the same situation: You are not alone in this fight. Yes, it's a fight, but it can be won. Anxiety is something that is used by our enemy to get into our heads and try to paralyze us so that we can't live or do anything for God. Satan would be just as satisfied making an ineffective, too-scared-to-act Christian as he would be satisfied in distracting a non-Christian from God.
As a believer in Christ, that's not something I'm interested in. The first step in overcoming anxiety is choosing that you want out. We may have been given a "thorn" in our lives in one way or another (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). (You know yours!) For some, like me, it's anxiety. If that's you too, please be encouraged: you're not crazy. Some people's thorns may be depression, physical disabilities, or addiction. Ours just happens to be anxiety.
How can I win the fight against paralyzing fear and anxiety?
Here's what I've learned through my journey:
Stay in the Bible. True peace is really found within Christ and the Word of God. The more we immerse ourselves in the Bible, the more we will have a mind that is reflective of Christ, and the more we will be able to use Bible verses as weapons against anxiety and the attacks it brings.
Stay in prayer. I find the most peace when I am in conversation with God. It can be about anything. Thanking Him for your day, reflecting on who He is and what He has done, or presenting a request before Him. Whatever it may be, keep praying! Especially when you feel anxiety start to come on, it's so important to get that prayer weapon out and use it so that the anxious thoughts won't come on as strong as they'd like to.
Capture your wandering thoughts. This is a big one for me. The minute I realize that my thoughts are wandering, it's usually not long before anxiety starts to come on. It's important to stay in the here and now—not in the past, not in the future, and certainly not over things you can't control. Think about things that are pleasing to the Lord, and you will be filled with more peace (Philippians 4:8).
See anxiety for what it is, then see God for who HE is. Anxiety is real, and it's big. It's a tactic the enemy likes to use to keep us from being useful for God. In Louie Giglio's sermon series "Believe" (2012), he says, "Nothing steals God's glory more than worrying believers who are driven through life by fear." Anxiety is gripping, scary, and a terrible burden (to say the least!). But God is freeing, completely trustworthy, and gives us the ability to CHOOSE a life without any burdens.
Yes, anxiety is big, but Jesus is bigger. Anxiety is crippling, but realizing that fear has to bow down at Jesus' feet in submission to Him gives us the freedom to breathe easy. Nothing can touch our lives except what God allows, and we know that whatever He allows, He can and will use for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
We are not alone. Ever.
God is fighting for us (Romans 8:31), and He will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). He wants to use us, and He wants us to win the victory over a life filled with anxiety and fear. He is completely trustworthy. He has never failed, and I know He won't start now, because He never changes, and that is really good news for us.
He will see you through every ounce of anxiety. You will come out on the other side because He He loves you and He is good. Overcoming your anxieties might take longer than you'd like; it will most certainly be a process. But keep in mind that He's doing something good! Once you start realizing and really believing this, though anxiety may still try to have you, you will see more and more that though it's big, it's no match for God and His sovereign strength and ability. And for that, He will forever get the praise and the glory that He deserves.
Anxiety is real. You know it and I know it, because I'm in the raging waters with you.
I've listened to so many sermons on anxiety, and after a while, all the preachers sound the same. They all use the same verses, like Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." And there is nothing wrong with this verse at all; it's just that every time I've heard it used by a pastor, they make it seem so easy. Like it's a kind of formula that will wipe away all my anxieties. Just tell God your problems, and everything will be fine! Riiiight.
But it seems like they're all looking at it from the outside. At least that's what I thought until I came across a sermon series by Louie Giglio*. He got it. He got it because he's been there. And his sermons actually helped! But I think what helped the most was when he said that anxiety was real. And anxiety was big.
Thank you. Yes, anxiety is real, it is big, and it can be really, really scary. But thankfully, we have a God who can—and will—overcome anxiety.
My biggest struggle with anxiety is that I DO trust God. Many people say, "Just trust God, everything will be okay." That's something that's really easy to say, but not a really good suggestion to someone with anxiety issues.
Let me clarify quick. Fear and anxiety can be normal things. They are actually God-given emotions to let us know when we are in danger or when something isn't right. However, these things become ungodly when we allow them to move into our lives and stay there or even run our decisions. Sometimes we don't even realize anxiety until it seems like it is too late. You may feel like you're in that spot right now.
The Struggle is Real
Yes, I've had panic attacks. Yes, I have anxiety. But YES, I also trust God. Let me say this to all of you in the same situation: You are not alone in this fight. Yes, it's a fight, but it can be won. Anxiety is something that is used by our enemy to get into our heads and try to paralyze us so that we can't live or do anything for God. Satan would be just as satisfied making an ineffective, too-scared-to-act Christian as he would be satisfied in distracting a non-Christian from God.
As a believer in Christ, that's not something I'm interested in. The first step in overcoming anxiety is choosing that you want out. We may have been given a "thorn" in our lives in one way or another (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). (You know yours!) For some, like me, it's anxiety. If that's you too, please be encouraged: you're not crazy. Some people's thorns may be depression, physical disabilities, or addiction. Ours just happens to be anxiety.
How can I win the fight against paralyzing fear and anxiety?
Here's what I've learned through my journey:
Stay in the Bible. True peace is really found within Christ and the Word of God. The more we immerse ourselves in the Bible, the more we will have a mind that is reflective of Christ, and the more we will be able to use Bible verses as weapons against anxiety and the attacks it brings.
Stay in prayer. I find the most peace when I am in conversation with God. It can be about anything. Thanking Him for your day, reflecting on who He is and what He has done, or presenting a request before Him. Whatever it may be, keep praying! Especially when you feel anxiety start to come on, it's so important to get that prayer weapon out and use it so that the anxious thoughts won't come on as strong as they'd like to.
Capture your wandering thoughts. This is a big one for me. The minute I realize that my thoughts are wandering, it's usually not long before anxiety starts to come on. It's important to stay in the here and now—not in the past, not in the future, and certainly not over things you can't control. Think about things that are pleasing to the Lord, and you will be filled with more peace (Philippians 4:8).
See anxiety for what it is, then see God for who HE is. Anxiety is real, and it's big. It's a tactic the enemy likes to use to keep us from being useful for God. In Louie Giglio's sermon series "Believe" (2012), he says, "Nothing steals God's glory more than worrying believers who are driven through life by fear." Anxiety is gripping, scary, and a terrible burden (to say the least!). But God is freeing, completely trustworthy, and gives us the ability to CHOOSE a life without any burdens.
Yes, anxiety is big, but Jesus is bigger. Anxiety is crippling, but realizing that fear has to bow down at Jesus' feet in submission to Him gives us the freedom to breathe easy. Nothing can touch our lives except what God allows, and we know that whatever He allows, He can and will use for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
We are not alone. Ever.
God is fighting for us (Romans 8:31), and He will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). He wants to use us, and He wants us to win the victory over a life filled with anxiety and fear. He is completely trustworthy. He has never failed, and I know He won't start now, because He never changes, and that is really good news for us.
He will see you through every ounce of anxiety. You will come out on the other side because He He loves you and He is good. Overcoming your anxieties might take longer than you'd like; it will most certainly be a process. But keep in mind that He's doing something good! Once you start realizing and really believing this, though anxiety may still try to have you, you will see more and more that though it's big, it's no match for God and His sovereign strength and ability. And for that, He will forever get the praise and the glory that He deserves.
- Kaitlyn Jeffries
We need to see the greatness of God's love and the greatness of His purpose for us. His purpose is to have us before Him as sons in the place where He is. Jesus called Heaven "My Father's house." That is where God wants us. He wants us with Him as His sons in "the Father's house."
"The Father's house" is our home for eternity.
Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross, not just to save us from hell, but to bring us to God. The Bible says, "For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God…" (1 Peter 3:18).
Today you shall be with Me in paradise
We see this in the account of the Lord's crucifixion. Two thieves were crucified with Him. One of these thieves believed on Jesus. He said, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Jesus turned to that man and said, "Today you shall be with Me in paradise." Jesus not only saved this man, but He took him with Him to "the Father's house" in Heaven.
This man went from the lowest, deepest, darkest place of misery and suffering into the brightest, holiest, most blessed place of everlasting happiness and joy with Christ. This is the salvation which Christ has obtained for every believer by His death.
"The Father's house" is our home now.
From God's Word we know that, when a Christian dies, he/she goes immediately to be with Christ. (See Philippians 1:21-23.) But we may not know this wonderful truth: By Christ's death we are entitled to live in "the Father's house" now! The Bible says, "…[Christ] died for us, that, whether we wake [live] or sleep [die], we should live together with Him." (1 Thessalonians 5:10).
Christ died for us, that, whether we live or die, we should "live together with Him." How this touches our heart!
Where is the Lord Jesus living now? He is living in "the Father's house." The Lord Jesus is saying to us, "There is a place in the Father's house which is yours. It belongs to you. I purchased it for you with My own blood. It is the Father's will that you live together with Me in the Father's house, not just when you die, but right now!"
What is "the Father's house" for me now? It is living together with Jesus in the presence of the Father, enjoying His love. Some day I will actually be in Heaven, but I have the right and the ability to enjoy "the Father's house" now!
The "upstairs" and the "downstairs"
A Christian is a person who lives in two worlds. In his body he lives in this world, but in his spirit he is united to Christ in Heaven. The Bible says that he has died with Christ, been raised with Christ, and seated with Christ in heavenly places.
The "upstairs" is the Father's house where I have all spiritual blessings.
There is an "upstairs" and a "downstairs" in the Christian life. The "upstairs" is the Father's house where I have all spiritual blessings.
The "downstairs" is here on earth,
The "downstairs" is here on earth, where I am living now. What do I have here? I have the Holy Spirit, the fellowship of God's people, and God's earthly mercies. I also have many trials and troubles.
What does the Lord Jesus want me to do? He wants me to live "upstairs" with Him in my spirit so that I may serve Him down here. We should be like the believer who had his residence and his business in the same building. He put this sign on his door:
Business below; residence above
Do we love the Lord Jesus enough to turn our back on the sinful pleasures of this world that we might live "upstairs" with Him? The story is told of a shoe repairman who truly lived "upstairs" with the Lord. His wife said of him, "He lives in Heaven and only comes down here to mend shoes!"
How do I enjoy "the Father's house" now?
The Holy Spirit is the One who "takes me by the hand" and leads me "upstairs" to the joys of the "Father's house." He has come down from Heaven to bring me into the enjoyment of everything Christ has accomplished for me. He is here to glorify Christ and make Him real to me.
As I spend time alone with the Lord in the study of His Word, the Holy Spirit magnifies Christ and makes Him everything to me. My part is to believe. The Bible says,
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
The Father is delighted when we enjoy His house now.
It is a wonderful day for us when we see God's side of salvation. God makes us His sons and daughters and brings us into His house, not just for our joy and happiness, but for the satisfaction of His own great heart of love. I can never be completely happy unless I am where the Father wants me to be, and He wants me to be with Him in His house.
The story of the prodigal son shows us what a great salvation we have in Christ. God has given us the place of sons, and the son's place is in the Father's house! We belong there! God wants us to enjoy His house, His presence and His feast.
When we come to the end of the story of the prodigal son, what do we find? We find the prodigal, received and accepted as a son, made suitable to his father in every way, sitting at his father's table, enjoying his father. The Bible says, "They began to make merry."
"The Father's House" is our spiritual portion now
This is a picture of our spiritual portion and place as sons of God! God is doing all this to satisfy His great heart of love for us. It is His delight to have us in His presence, enjoying Him and all that He has provided for us. I have not satisfied my Father's heart until I am in His house, enjoying Him.
Steps to enjoying God
There are a number of practical things you can do to help you enjoy God.
• Think rightly about yourself.
God is pleased when we take up our true spiritual position as having died with Christ and being raised as a new person in Christ, having ascended with Him, and being seated with Him at the right hand of God. This is foolishness to the unsaved, worldly man, but it is God's truth to His spirit-taught children.
The prodigal's father was pleased when his son accepted the best robe, the ring and the sandals. He was pleased when his son sat at his table and enjoyed all that his love had provided for him. God is likewise pleased when we enjoy all that He has provided for us.
• Settle all controversies with God.
Is there something in your life which God keeps bringing before you? It may be a wrong relationship or some point where you are saying "No" to God. If you have no rest or joy, you must be holding on to something that God wants you to give up.
You might as well face the fact that you will not enjoy God or make any progress in your Christian life until you say "Yes" to God in this matter. Why not do so right now?
If you are not honestly willing to do what God is telling you to do, at least you can say to Him, "Lord, I am not willing to do this, but I am willing for You to make me willing." If you are sincere, God will begin working to change your heart.
• Deal with sin and guilt.
We cannot enjoy God if we are holding onto some sin in our life. God loves us, but He hates sin in the life of a child of His. Whatever that sin is, that wretched thing that is so displeasing to God, give it up! If you do not, it will rob you of your joy.
If you have sinned against God, confess that sin to Him and count on Him to do what He says He will do. God's Word says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
To enjoy God, you must not only be right with God, but you must be right with other people. The apostle Paul said, "Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16).
If you have wronged someone, go to that person and make things right. Do not make excuses or say, "I know I was wrong, but you were wrong too."
Confess your part fully. Say something like this, "God has shown me that I was wrong in _____________ (name the sin). Will you forgive me for this?" If they say "Yes," you might ask, "Do I need to say any more about this?" Deal with the matter thoroughly. Bring it to a close.
If you have stolen something or caused someone to suffer loss, you should try to pay them for it. Make things right, and then go on. Don't "whip yourself" by going over and over your failures.
• Forgive others.
An unforgiving spirit is a grievous sin in God's sight, especially in the life of a Christian. (See Matthew 18:21-35.) God has in love forgiven us, and He sometimes gives us the privilege of forgiving others as He has forgiven us.
• Declare your faith at the start of each day.
One of the happiest Christians I have ever known gave me his secret. He said that he began each day by saying to the Lord words to this effect:
"Lord Jesus, You died for me, and in Your death I died. I died to sin, to Satan, and to the world. I was buried with You, and I rose again with You as a new person in Christ. I ascended with You, and I am seated with You in heavenly places. You sent Your Holy Spirit to live in me, and the life that is in me today is Your resurrection life. By Your grace, I purpose to live a life, dead to sin, and alive to You."
I begin each day with the confidence that Christ lives in me and that He is sufficient for anything that happens to me today.
• Faithfully attend and support a Christ-honoring church.
It is God's will that believers assemble regularly with other believers for the preaching and teaching of the Word, for fellowship and for prayer. Nothing can take the place of this. The Bible says, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering … Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is…" (Hebrews 10:23, 25).
Do not be ashamed of Christ. Confess your faith in Him by your words and by your actions. If you have not confessed Him by water baptism, do so at once.
• Obey the Lord.
Determine that you will obey the Lord, whatever the cost. Begin now! Do the next thing you know you should do. Believers are obeyers. The Lord Jesus manifests Himself to those who love and obey Him. (See John 14:21.)
• Set your affections on things above.
If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God
If we want to have joy, we must know where to look for it. For us, real joy cannot be found in this world. Our joy is where our Savior is—on the other side of death. Our life, our joy, our future and our riches are all in Christ glorified and exalted at the right hand of God. The Bible says, "Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8).
The new life which God gives us is resurrection life. If we want to enjoy this life, we must set our love and our affections on the things of Christ. The Bible says, "If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1, 2).
• Love Christ supremely.
Jesus Christ is the center and glory of Heaven.
Jesus Christ is the center and glory of Heaven. Every creature in Heaven loves, adores, and praises Christ. One of the proofs that we have been born into the family of God is that we love and appreciate Christ.
God wants to make Christ everything to us. When our spiritual eyes are opened to see the greatness of Christ and we begin to love Him with all our heart, we bring pleasure to God's heart. Jesus said, "The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God" (John 16:27).
If we really love Christ, it will be proved by our wanting to know everything that is possible for us to know about Him. Believers do not love Christ very much if they neglect their Bibles, if they do not spend time alone with Christ in the study of His Word and prayer, or if they neglect meeting together with the Lord's people. These things are the tests of our love for Christ.
• Set aside time for God each day.
A daily Quiet Time with God is not something that you can take or leave. It is absolutely essential if you want to enjoy God and have your life count for Him. An honored servant of God wrote:
"A life of victory hinges on three things: an initial act, a fixed purpose, and a daily habit.
"The initial act is that of surrender to the Lord Jesus as Master. The fixed purpose is that of doing that which will please Him, and only that, at every turn, in every matter, regardless of the consequences. The daily habit is that of spending a Quiet Time in prayer, alone with the Lord over His Word.
"After the initial act of surrender, the secret of a strong, winsome [attractive] Christian life is in spending time daily alone with God over His Word in prayer." (S.D. Gordon)
Begin to enjoy God and His love now! God loves you and accepts you because you belong to Christ. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more than He loves you right now. He loves you as He loves His own Son. (See John 17:23.)
"The Father's house" is our home for eternity.
Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross, not just to save us from hell, but to bring us to God. The Bible says, "For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God…" (1 Peter 3:18).
Today you shall be with Me in paradise
We see this in the account of the Lord's crucifixion. Two thieves were crucified with Him. One of these thieves believed on Jesus. He said, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Jesus turned to that man and said, "Today you shall be with Me in paradise." Jesus not only saved this man, but He took him with Him to "the Father's house" in Heaven.
This man went from the lowest, deepest, darkest place of misery and suffering into the brightest, holiest, most blessed place of everlasting happiness and joy with Christ. This is the salvation which Christ has obtained for every believer by His death.
"The Father's house" is our home now.
From God's Word we know that, when a Christian dies, he/she goes immediately to be with Christ. (See Philippians 1:21-23.) But we may not know this wonderful truth: By Christ's death we are entitled to live in "the Father's house" now! The Bible says, "…[Christ] died for us, that, whether we wake [live] or sleep [die], we should live together with Him." (1 Thessalonians 5:10).
Christ died for us, that, whether we live or die, we should "live together with Him." How this touches our heart!
Where is the Lord Jesus living now? He is living in "the Father's house." The Lord Jesus is saying to us, "There is a place in the Father's house which is yours. It belongs to you. I purchased it for you with My own blood. It is the Father's will that you live together with Me in the Father's house, not just when you die, but right now!"
What is "the Father's house" for me now? It is living together with Jesus in the presence of the Father, enjoying His love. Some day I will actually be in Heaven, but I have the right and the ability to enjoy "the Father's house" now!
The "upstairs" and the "downstairs"
A Christian is a person who lives in two worlds. In his body he lives in this world, but in his spirit he is united to Christ in Heaven. The Bible says that he has died with Christ, been raised with Christ, and seated with Christ in heavenly places.
The "upstairs" is the Father's house where I have all spiritual blessings.
There is an "upstairs" and a "downstairs" in the Christian life. The "upstairs" is the Father's house where I have all spiritual blessings.
The "downstairs" is here on earth,
The "downstairs" is here on earth, where I am living now. What do I have here? I have the Holy Spirit, the fellowship of God's people, and God's earthly mercies. I also have many trials and troubles.
What does the Lord Jesus want me to do? He wants me to live "upstairs" with Him in my spirit so that I may serve Him down here. We should be like the believer who had his residence and his business in the same building. He put this sign on his door:
Business below; residence above
Do we love the Lord Jesus enough to turn our back on the sinful pleasures of this world that we might live "upstairs" with Him? The story is told of a shoe repairman who truly lived "upstairs" with the Lord. His wife said of him, "He lives in Heaven and only comes down here to mend shoes!"
How do I enjoy "the Father's house" now?
The Holy Spirit is the One who "takes me by the hand" and leads me "upstairs" to the joys of the "Father's house." He has come down from Heaven to bring me into the enjoyment of everything Christ has accomplished for me. He is here to glorify Christ and make Him real to me.
As I spend time alone with the Lord in the study of His Word, the Holy Spirit magnifies Christ and makes Him everything to me. My part is to believe. The Bible says,
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
The Father is delighted when we enjoy His house now.
It is a wonderful day for us when we see God's side of salvation. God makes us His sons and daughters and brings us into His house, not just for our joy and happiness, but for the satisfaction of His own great heart of love. I can never be completely happy unless I am where the Father wants me to be, and He wants me to be with Him in His house.
The story of the prodigal son shows us what a great salvation we have in Christ. God has given us the place of sons, and the son's place is in the Father's house! We belong there! God wants us to enjoy His house, His presence and His feast.
When we come to the end of the story of the prodigal son, what do we find? We find the prodigal, received and accepted as a son, made suitable to his father in every way, sitting at his father's table, enjoying his father. The Bible says, "They began to make merry."
"The Father's House" is our spiritual portion now
This is a picture of our spiritual portion and place as sons of God! God is doing all this to satisfy His great heart of love for us. It is His delight to have us in His presence, enjoying Him and all that He has provided for us. I have not satisfied my Father's heart until I am in His house, enjoying Him.
Steps to enjoying God
There are a number of practical things you can do to help you enjoy God.
• Think rightly about yourself.
God is pleased when we take up our true spiritual position as having died with Christ and being raised as a new person in Christ, having ascended with Him, and being seated with Him at the right hand of God. This is foolishness to the unsaved, worldly man, but it is God's truth to His spirit-taught children.
The prodigal's father was pleased when his son accepted the best robe, the ring and the sandals. He was pleased when his son sat at his table and enjoyed all that his love had provided for him. God is likewise pleased when we enjoy all that He has provided for us.
• Settle all controversies with God.
Is there something in your life which God keeps bringing before you? It may be a wrong relationship or some point where you are saying "No" to God. If you have no rest or joy, you must be holding on to something that God wants you to give up.
You might as well face the fact that you will not enjoy God or make any progress in your Christian life until you say "Yes" to God in this matter. Why not do so right now?
If you are not honestly willing to do what God is telling you to do, at least you can say to Him, "Lord, I am not willing to do this, but I am willing for You to make me willing." If you are sincere, God will begin working to change your heart.
• Deal with sin and guilt.
We cannot enjoy God if we are holding onto some sin in our life. God loves us, but He hates sin in the life of a child of His. Whatever that sin is, that wretched thing that is so displeasing to God, give it up! If you do not, it will rob you of your joy.
If you have sinned against God, confess that sin to Him and count on Him to do what He says He will do. God's Word says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
To enjoy God, you must not only be right with God, but you must be right with other people. The apostle Paul said, "Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16).
If you have wronged someone, go to that person and make things right. Do not make excuses or say, "I know I was wrong, but you were wrong too."
Confess your part fully. Say something like this, "God has shown me that I was wrong in _____________ (name the sin). Will you forgive me for this?" If they say "Yes," you might ask, "Do I need to say any more about this?" Deal with the matter thoroughly. Bring it to a close.
If you have stolen something or caused someone to suffer loss, you should try to pay them for it. Make things right, and then go on. Don't "whip yourself" by going over and over your failures.
• Forgive others.
An unforgiving spirit is a grievous sin in God's sight, especially in the life of a Christian. (See Matthew 18:21-35.) God has in love forgiven us, and He sometimes gives us the privilege of forgiving others as He has forgiven us.
• Declare your faith at the start of each day.
One of the happiest Christians I have ever known gave me his secret. He said that he began each day by saying to the Lord words to this effect:
"Lord Jesus, You died for me, and in Your death I died. I died to sin, to Satan, and to the world. I was buried with You, and I rose again with You as a new person in Christ. I ascended with You, and I am seated with You in heavenly places. You sent Your Holy Spirit to live in me, and the life that is in me today is Your resurrection life. By Your grace, I purpose to live a life, dead to sin, and alive to You."
I begin each day with the confidence that Christ lives in me and that He is sufficient for anything that happens to me today.
• Faithfully attend and support a Christ-honoring church.
It is God's will that believers assemble regularly with other believers for the preaching and teaching of the Word, for fellowship and for prayer. Nothing can take the place of this. The Bible says, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering … Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is…" (Hebrews 10:23, 25).
Do not be ashamed of Christ. Confess your faith in Him by your words and by your actions. If you have not confessed Him by water baptism, do so at once.
• Obey the Lord.
Determine that you will obey the Lord, whatever the cost. Begin now! Do the next thing you know you should do. Believers are obeyers. The Lord Jesus manifests Himself to those who love and obey Him. (See John 14:21.)
• Set your affections on things above.
If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God
If we want to have joy, we must know where to look for it. For us, real joy cannot be found in this world. Our joy is where our Savior is—on the other side of death. Our life, our joy, our future and our riches are all in Christ glorified and exalted at the right hand of God. The Bible says, "Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8).
The new life which God gives us is resurrection life. If we want to enjoy this life, we must set our love and our affections on the things of Christ. The Bible says, "If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1, 2).
• Love Christ supremely.
Jesus Christ is the center and glory of Heaven.
Jesus Christ is the center and glory of Heaven. Every creature in Heaven loves, adores, and praises Christ. One of the proofs that we have been born into the family of God is that we love and appreciate Christ.
God wants to make Christ everything to us. When our spiritual eyes are opened to see the greatness of Christ and we begin to love Him with all our heart, we bring pleasure to God's heart. Jesus said, "The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God" (John 16:27).
If we really love Christ, it will be proved by our wanting to know everything that is possible for us to know about Him. Believers do not love Christ very much if they neglect their Bibles, if they do not spend time alone with Christ in the study of His Word and prayer, or if they neglect meeting together with the Lord's people. These things are the tests of our love for Christ.
• Set aside time for God each day.
A daily Quiet Time with God is not something that you can take or leave. It is absolutely essential if you want to enjoy God and have your life count for Him. An honored servant of God wrote:
"A life of victory hinges on three things: an initial act, a fixed purpose, and a daily habit.
"The initial act is that of surrender to the Lord Jesus as Master. The fixed purpose is that of doing that which will please Him, and only that, at every turn, in every matter, regardless of the consequences. The daily habit is that of spending a Quiet Time in prayer, alone with the Lord over His Word.
"After the initial act of surrender, the secret of a strong, winsome [attractive] Christian life is in spending time daily alone with God over His Word in prayer." (S.D. Gordon)
Begin to enjoy God and His love now! God loves you and accepts you because you belong to Christ. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more than He loves you right now. He loves you as He loves His own Son. (See John 17:23.)
Living in fear…from peer pressure
There are a lot of teens today who say they felt bullied and in many ways social media was ruining their lives.
When they were asked why they just didn’t delete their accounts on social media, they said they couldn’t because of peer pressure or feared being bullied more.
The internet is an amazing and wonderful way for people to communicate, but sadly it seems that people are becoming stressed and depressed by the pressure to keep up with texts, tweets, and photo sharing.
People who want desperately to be liked, may foolishly post photos of themselves undressed; only to find they are mocked and ridiculed more than ever.
An important part of the growing up process, is to learn to handle rejection and peer pressure, without caving in to it. We must remember that the people we wanted so desperately to impress this year, may be leading us down a path and that leads to destruction.
People we wanted to like us in high school or college; the crowd we desperately wanted to fit in with will in 10 years usually fade into the sunset, and no longer be a part of our life later on. I’ve friended “old friends” from high school only to discover that our lives had completely taken much different paths and we really had nothing in common anymore.
As we read God’s word we find that Jesus was loved and hated by many. He did miracles and acts of kindness to others… yet even his own brothers and sisters were offended and ashamed by his behavior at times.
Jesus doesn’t want us to spend our days being belittled, depressed, or angry with others. He said… Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12
Jesus warned his disciples, if someone rejected them, to leave that house or city and shake the dust off their feet. Parents will be against children and families will be divided because of our allegiance to the LORD. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:36-37
We are instructed to love one another, as Christ loves us… but sometimes He (Christ) ruffled a few feathers to get his point across. He didn’t waste his time being hurt or offended. He had work to do and wanted to finish his Father’s business with excellence. And you shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 10:22
Even Jesus’ trusted friend and disciple Peter didn’t understand his mission. When Jesus told him he would soon suffer many things and be killed… Peter rebuked Jesus for such a remark.
But Jesus, rebuked Peter, saying… Get behind me Satan, for you savor not the things of God, but those of men.
Serving Jesus requires denying ourselves daily and taking up our cross to follow wherever he leads. Sometimes the road is fun and exciting, but other times it is filled with heartache, fear, and unanswered questions. Perhaps today, you are suffering from abuse or living in fear of a family member or trusted friend who has turned against you. When it happens, we shouldn’t be surprised, as though some strange thing were occurring.
Jesus said, all who are his followers will suffer persecution. When we pray for those who use or persecute us, and offer the LORD our worship and praise, even when life doesn’t seem fair… it releases supernatural power from our Father in heaven, to come to our aid and rescue us in our darkest hour.
Jesus understands our pain, because he was despised and rejected by his friends and family. He loved us so much, he endured the penalty for all our sins when he suffered and died on the cross at Calvary.
He says the sufferings of this world are to strengthen and teach us to be mature Christians. If we suffer with him, we will reign one day with him in heaven.
Whatever you’re facing, Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. He’s standing right beside you this very moment, wanting to take you in his loving arms and hold you safely in his warm embrace.
Run, to the shelter of his wings and let him help you fight your battles. Ask him for the courage and strength to walk away from people who are preventing you from enjoying each and every wonderful day of your life. If God is for you, no one can be against you.
You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you.
There are a lot of teens today who say they felt bullied and in many ways social media was ruining their lives.
When they were asked why they just didn’t delete their accounts on social media, they said they couldn’t because of peer pressure or feared being bullied more.
The internet is an amazing and wonderful way for people to communicate, but sadly it seems that people are becoming stressed and depressed by the pressure to keep up with texts, tweets, and photo sharing.
People who want desperately to be liked, may foolishly post photos of themselves undressed; only to find they are mocked and ridiculed more than ever.
An important part of the growing up process, is to learn to handle rejection and peer pressure, without caving in to it. We must remember that the people we wanted so desperately to impress this year, may be leading us down a path and that leads to destruction.
People we wanted to like us in high school or college; the crowd we desperately wanted to fit in with will in 10 years usually fade into the sunset, and no longer be a part of our life later on. I’ve friended “old friends” from high school only to discover that our lives had completely taken much different paths and we really had nothing in common anymore.
As we read God’s word we find that Jesus was loved and hated by many. He did miracles and acts of kindness to others… yet even his own brothers and sisters were offended and ashamed by his behavior at times.
Jesus doesn’t want us to spend our days being belittled, depressed, or angry with others. He said… Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12
Jesus warned his disciples, if someone rejected them, to leave that house or city and shake the dust off their feet. Parents will be against children and families will be divided because of our allegiance to the LORD. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:36-37
We are instructed to love one another, as Christ loves us… but sometimes He (Christ) ruffled a few feathers to get his point across. He didn’t waste his time being hurt or offended. He had work to do and wanted to finish his Father’s business with excellence. And you shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 10:22
Even Jesus’ trusted friend and disciple Peter didn’t understand his mission. When Jesus told him he would soon suffer many things and be killed… Peter rebuked Jesus for such a remark.
But Jesus, rebuked Peter, saying… Get behind me Satan, for you savor not the things of God, but those of men.
Serving Jesus requires denying ourselves daily and taking up our cross to follow wherever he leads. Sometimes the road is fun and exciting, but other times it is filled with heartache, fear, and unanswered questions. Perhaps today, you are suffering from abuse or living in fear of a family member or trusted friend who has turned against you. When it happens, we shouldn’t be surprised, as though some strange thing were occurring.
Jesus said, all who are his followers will suffer persecution. When we pray for those who use or persecute us, and offer the LORD our worship and praise, even when life doesn’t seem fair… it releases supernatural power from our Father in heaven, to come to our aid and rescue us in our darkest hour.
Jesus understands our pain, because he was despised and rejected by his friends and family. He loved us so much, he endured the penalty for all our sins when he suffered and died on the cross at Calvary.
He says the sufferings of this world are to strengthen and teach us to be mature Christians. If we suffer with him, we will reign one day with him in heaven.
Whatever you’re facing, Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. He’s standing right beside you this very moment, wanting to take you in his loving arms and hold you safely in his warm embrace.
Run, to the shelter of his wings and let him help you fight your battles. Ask him for the courage and strength to walk away from people who are preventing you from enjoying each and every wonderful day of your life. If God is for you, no one can be against you.
You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you.
- Pastor Glenn
February 20, 2016
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young
(1 Timothy 4:12 )
The Bible has no problem with young people serving God... as long as they are mature and godly. Ecclesiastes 4:13 backs up this statement when it says, "Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning."
Don't let your age stop you from doing great things for your creator!
Set an example for the believers
Are you the sort of person others could look to and say, "I want to be like this guy/girl"?
Or do you have some work to do in the areas Paul mentioned, which include:
Speech: Are you using your words wisely to build others up & point them to God? Or are you tempted to bring people down and seek attention for yourself?
Conduct: Are you seeking to live a Christ-like life, and align your actions to God's expectations? What areas of your conduct do you need to work on?
Love: Are you humble, concerned for others, looking out for their best interests even when it comes at a cost to you?
Faith: Are you trusting deeply in the promises of God for your life, or are you trusting in money, success or fame to make you happy?
Purity: Is your life characterised by purity or do you struggle to control your desires?
You can do it!
Do you see what Paul is saying to Timothy?
It doesn't matter about your age - what really matters is your heart and your actions.
If you're a young person seeking to serve God, then go for it! But when you do, make sure your life is an example to others, and that you are seeking to live for Christ and not for selfish ambition.
And if you know in your heart that you've got some big things to work on, ask God to help you become the sort of person he wants you to be. Follow His lead and become more like Him !
February 8, 2016
“Stuff Happens”
If you haven’t already experienced it … you will. Your life takes a huge and unexpected turn. Something you never planned on has happened. It might be the divorce of your parents, it could be something at school, at your job, or maybe even a bf or relationship issue. Maybe you've just been informed that your family is moving away, or your bff just got that news. Whatever it is, you are on the receiving end of a life changing curve ball. It’s not fair, it hurts, it’s confusing and you don’t know what to do.
So, the million-dollar question. What do you do when life unleashes something unexpected? What do you do and where do you go when your family is falling apart around you? Where do you turn when you feel like you are boxed in on all sides and there’s nothing left for you to do? How about when you’ve messed up, you’ve failed God and now you are getting a beat down from yourself not to mention an already defeated enemy who loves watching you squirm?
First of all, even though you may feel that you are the only one who has ever gone through something like this …. You aren’t. Even though you may feel like you are all alone …. You aren’t.
Here’s some encouragement for you and some things I pray you will take to heart.
Don’t let your relationship with God slip between the cracks. In the tough times, it can be so easy to let go when you don’t understand what is going on or why. Part of you may want to blame God for what is happening or you may not feel very close to Him with all that’s going on. Perhaps you are running on a major guilt trip because you already blamed God. God still understands. He gets it. The thing to remember is that God isn’t the source of the bad things that happen to you. He does allow situations and circumstances to take place to refine us, deepen our character and bring us closer to Him but He doesn’t cause the bad. The enemy would like nothing better than to see you blame God and watch your relationship with Him take a hit. The fact is, your relationship with God is what will get you through the tough times. God is for you, not against you. God is your firm foundation when it feels like your world is coming apart around you. You have to make the choice to rely upon Him, and stay close. God is your ultimate connection.
When the bad stuff happens, don’t take it out on others, including God or even yourself. You may want to get pay back for what has happened, you may want to unleash all the bottled up hurt, pain and other feelings on someone else. That doesn’t solve anything. Taking it out on someone else is never the answer, even when you were right and they were wrong. It is important to get your thoughts and feeling out there and there’s no better person to unload them to but God. Why? Because He sees, He knows and He completely understands (check out Hebrews 4:15). He’s there when you bury your head in a pillow and flood it with tears. He created you, so He gets you better than you get yourself.
When the bad comes … and it will, there’s a decision on your part that comes with it. As much as tough times stink, you can use those times to learn and grow, rather than become bitter by them. Your experience and how you came through it can be used by God to help someone else out. Days, weeks, months or even years later, there’s a good chance that God will lead you to a person who needs your courage and strength. You will be able to identify with them because you were there and experienced God’s faithfulness in it. Yes, you can become an encourager by learning from those tough times.
Tough times can also show you a lot about yourself. You might be surprised to discover that you don’t have the character you thought you did because you came unglued in a tough time. You may learn of an area in your life that needs to be surrendered to God. Maybe there’s something or someone you need to cut loose in order to go full on serving God. Tough times are a good indicator of character.
In the tough times when life doesn’t go your way …. look up. Don’t pull a Peter who took his eyes off Jesus and started to sink. Look at Him, not the situation. Walk by faith and not by sight. In the tough times, walking by sight will take you down every time.
Bottom line here: Jesus really is your answer. He alone understands completely what you are going through. He wants to be your encouragement, your hope and your anchor when you feel like you’re adrift.
It’s never easy when life doesn’t line up the way we wanted or expected it to but remember, you aren’t alone. Jesus is on your side. Don’t forget to unconditionally lean and rest on Him in tough times and in good times. Seek after Him and honor Him with your life and all your heart. Even when you miss the mark, He still loves you.
I’d love to hear from you, and I can guarantee you that Jesus would too.
-Pastor Glenn
“Stuff Happens”
If you haven’t already experienced it … you will. Your life takes a huge and unexpected turn. Something you never planned on has happened. It might be the divorce of your parents, it could be something at school, at your job, or maybe even a bf or relationship issue. Maybe you've just been informed that your family is moving away, or your bff just got that news. Whatever it is, you are on the receiving end of a life changing curve ball. It’s not fair, it hurts, it’s confusing and you don’t know what to do.
So, the million-dollar question. What do you do when life unleashes something unexpected? What do you do and where do you go when your family is falling apart around you? Where do you turn when you feel like you are boxed in on all sides and there’s nothing left for you to do? How about when you’ve messed up, you’ve failed God and now you are getting a beat down from yourself not to mention an already defeated enemy who loves watching you squirm?
First of all, even though you may feel that you are the only one who has ever gone through something like this …. You aren’t. Even though you may feel like you are all alone …. You aren’t.
Here’s some encouragement for you and some things I pray you will take to heart.
Don’t let your relationship with God slip between the cracks. In the tough times, it can be so easy to let go when you don’t understand what is going on or why. Part of you may want to blame God for what is happening or you may not feel very close to Him with all that’s going on. Perhaps you are running on a major guilt trip because you already blamed God. God still understands. He gets it. The thing to remember is that God isn’t the source of the bad things that happen to you. He does allow situations and circumstances to take place to refine us, deepen our character and bring us closer to Him but He doesn’t cause the bad. The enemy would like nothing better than to see you blame God and watch your relationship with Him take a hit. The fact is, your relationship with God is what will get you through the tough times. God is for you, not against you. God is your firm foundation when it feels like your world is coming apart around you. You have to make the choice to rely upon Him, and stay close. God is your ultimate connection.
When the bad stuff happens, don’t take it out on others, including God or even yourself. You may want to get pay back for what has happened, you may want to unleash all the bottled up hurt, pain and other feelings on someone else. That doesn’t solve anything. Taking it out on someone else is never the answer, even when you were right and they were wrong. It is important to get your thoughts and feeling out there and there’s no better person to unload them to but God. Why? Because He sees, He knows and He completely understands (check out Hebrews 4:15). He’s there when you bury your head in a pillow and flood it with tears. He created you, so He gets you better than you get yourself.
When the bad comes … and it will, there’s a decision on your part that comes with it. As much as tough times stink, you can use those times to learn and grow, rather than become bitter by them. Your experience and how you came through it can be used by God to help someone else out. Days, weeks, months or even years later, there’s a good chance that God will lead you to a person who needs your courage and strength. You will be able to identify with them because you were there and experienced God’s faithfulness in it. Yes, you can become an encourager by learning from those tough times.
Tough times can also show you a lot about yourself. You might be surprised to discover that you don’t have the character you thought you did because you came unglued in a tough time. You may learn of an area in your life that needs to be surrendered to God. Maybe there’s something or someone you need to cut loose in order to go full on serving God. Tough times are a good indicator of character.
In the tough times when life doesn’t go your way …. look up. Don’t pull a Peter who took his eyes off Jesus and started to sink. Look at Him, not the situation. Walk by faith and not by sight. In the tough times, walking by sight will take you down every time.
Bottom line here: Jesus really is your answer. He alone understands completely what you are going through. He wants to be your encouragement, your hope and your anchor when you feel like you’re adrift.
It’s never easy when life doesn’t line up the way we wanted or expected it to but remember, you aren’t alone. Jesus is on your side. Don’t forget to unconditionally lean and rest on Him in tough times and in good times. Seek after Him and honor Him with your life and all your heart. Even when you miss the mark, He still loves you.
I’d love to hear from you, and I can guarantee you that Jesus would too.
-Pastor Glenn
February 2, 2016
You crawl out of bed in the morning and head to the bathroom. Your toothpaste falls off your brush and hits the floor and your day just goes down hill from there. Anything that can go wrong does and by the end of your day you are asking yourself why you even got up in the morning. Bad experience ? We've all been there.
What do you do when the roof falls in? Why does God allow failure and disappointments to happen if He's really in control?
God often allows failure to point us to one critical truth: we can't live the Christian life on our own. There will be times when God places us in situations that cause us to realize our insufficiency and depend more on Him. Only Jesus lived the Christian life perfectly, so if anything of eternal value is going to be accomplished through us, He is going to have to do it!
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Earlier in this book (1:8) Paul says, "we were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life." When Paul speaks of "light and momentary troubles," we know that his trouble was actually severe, but in comparison to what was being gained and accomplished in his life and ministry – it was insignificant. In fact, he says, it "far outweighs them all." Paul knew that his trouble would make his ministry much more powerful. What a perspective! How do we get it?
The first step to dealing positively with failure or disappointment is recognizing that God has allowed or placed us in these situations to add eternal value to our character – that He is accomplishing a good work in us that will far outlast the present disheartening situation. He uses difficulties to teach us to walk by faith and to equip us to make eternal investments in the lives of others. Every situation can have the effect of molding us into Christ's image:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Circumstances are not truly out of control; they are used for our good in the hands of a loving God!
We become bitter to the degree we don't give thanks to God. Let's resolve to focus on what He has given rather than on what is gone. We need to choose with our will, not our feelings, to FORM A HABIT OF GIVING THANKS in the middle of suffering. Expressing gratitude regularly will remind us that He is in control and working to produce and refine treasures in us that will not fade away, but last for eternity.
You crawl out of bed in the morning and head to the bathroom. Your toothpaste falls off your brush and hits the floor and your day just goes down hill from there. Anything that can go wrong does and by the end of your day you are asking yourself why you even got up in the morning. Bad experience ? We've all been there.
What do you do when the roof falls in? Why does God allow failure and disappointments to happen if He's really in control?
God often allows failure to point us to one critical truth: we can't live the Christian life on our own. There will be times when God places us in situations that cause us to realize our insufficiency and depend more on Him. Only Jesus lived the Christian life perfectly, so if anything of eternal value is going to be accomplished through us, He is going to have to do it!
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Earlier in this book (1:8) Paul says, "we were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life." When Paul speaks of "light and momentary troubles," we know that his trouble was actually severe, but in comparison to what was being gained and accomplished in his life and ministry – it was insignificant. In fact, he says, it "far outweighs them all." Paul knew that his trouble would make his ministry much more powerful. What a perspective! How do we get it?
The first step to dealing positively with failure or disappointment is recognizing that God has allowed or placed us in these situations to add eternal value to our character – that He is accomplishing a good work in us that will far outlast the present disheartening situation. He uses difficulties to teach us to walk by faith and to equip us to make eternal investments in the lives of others. Every situation can have the effect of molding us into Christ's image:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Circumstances are not truly out of control; they are used for our good in the hands of a loving God!
We become bitter to the degree we don't give thanks to God. Let's resolve to focus on what He has given rather than on what is gone. We need to choose with our will, not our feelings, to FORM A HABIT OF GIVING THANKS in the middle of suffering. Expressing gratitude regularly will remind us that He is in control and working to produce and refine treasures in us that will not fade away, but last for eternity.
You were designed for greatness!
“Decide to be who you were created to be and you will set the world on fire.” My hope would be that everybody reading this today would embrace this truth! You have far more potential than you may realize. Sadly, a lot of people are derailing their potential rather than developing it. Will you be different? Will you make a decision to keep an open mind, an open heart and allow God to speak to you today? If you will do this, you will discover that God has equipped you with potential for His plans and purposes for your life.
Value is the importance we place on someone or something. Consciously or subconsciously you have placed a value on yourself. This is either empowering you or derailing your potential.
Everyone, yes even you, is created by God to be unique and fulfill a specific destiny. You have been equipped, with amazing potential. Unfortunately, a lot of teens never venture on the journey to develop their God-given potential and discover their destiny. Rather, they spend a majority of their time trying to be like everyone else and fit into a mold they were never designed for.
Let’s be honest…being a teen in today’s society is like being in a war zone. There are missiles coming at you from every direction. You are bombarded by peer pressure. Consequently, you may find yourself thinking you are not good looking or pretty enough, smart enough or talented enough. The war rages on and on in your mind. Each missile tearing down at the fibers of your self-worth, consequently you begin to question your value.
Here are a few indicators that you may be undervaluing yourself.
•The opinions of your friends mean more to you than your own opinion.
•You would compromise your own personal values, just to be accepted into a particular group or activity.
•You spend endless hours on social media to see what other people are doing, wearing, or who they are hanging out with.
•You find yourself wishing your life ‘looked’ like someone else’s.
Does any of this sound familiar? My question to you is, “Why are you doing this”? You have a choice. Stop comparing yourself to others, and start placing value on those things, which are important to you!
To fulfill your potential and influence the world, you must first see yourself as VALUABLE.
•Know and accept how awesome you are (faults and all…no one is perfect).
•Be determined to follow the path that brings you joy and fulfillment regardless of what others are doing. (You will find like-minded people along your journey).
•Anything of value is worth taking care of. Be sure to take care of yourself, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
You are irreplaceable; there is no one like you. You have so much to offer. Unless you recognize your own value and develop your potential, the world is going to miss out the gift you are designed to be.
There is only one you so go and discover the amazing person God designed you to be. Be who YOU were created to be and you will accomplish more than you dreamed or imagined. Remember, you are loved and you are being prayed for.
-Pastor Glenn
“Decide to be who you were created to be and you will set the world on fire.” My hope would be that everybody reading this today would embrace this truth! You have far more potential than you may realize. Sadly, a lot of people are derailing their potential rather than developing it. Will you be different? Will you make a decision to keep an open mind, an open heart and allow God to speak to you today? If you will do this, you will discover that God has equipped you with potential for His plans and purposes for your life.
Value is the importance we place on someone or something. Consciously or subconsciously you have placed a value on yourself. This is either empowering you or derailing your potential.
Everyone, yes even you, is created by God to be unique and fulfill a specific destiny. You have been equipped, with amazing potential. Unfortunately, a lot of teens never venture on the journey to develop their God-given potential and discover their destiny. Rather, they spend a majority of their time trying to be like everyone else and fit into a mold they were never designed for.
Let’s be honest…being a teen in today’s society is like being in a war zone. There are missiles coming at you from every direction. You are bombarded by peer pressure. Consequently, you may find yourself thinking you are not good looking or pretty enough, smart enough or talented enough. The war rages on and on in your mind. Each missile tearing down at the fibers of your self-worth, consequently you begin to question your value.
Here are a few indicators that you may be undervaluing yourself.
•The opinions of your friends mean more to you than your own opinion.
•You would compromise your own personal values, just to be accepted into a particular group or activity.
•You spend endless hours on social media to see what other people are doing, wearing, or who they are hanging out with.
•You find yourself wishing your life ‘looked’ like someone else’s.
Does any of this sound familiar? My question to you is, “Why are you doing this”? You have a choice. Stop comparing yourself to others, and start placing value on those things, which are important to you!
To fulfill your potential and influence the world, you must first see yourself as VALUABLE.
•Know and accept how awesome you are (faults and all…no one is perfect).
•Be determined to follow the path that brings you joy and fulfillment regardless of what others are doing. (You will find like-minded people along your journey).
•Anything of value is worth taking care of. Be sure to take care of yourself, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
You are irreplaceable; there is no one like you. You have so much to offer. Unless you recognize your own value and develop your potential, the world is going to miss out the gift you are designed to be.
There is only one you so go and discover the amazing person God designed you to be. Be who YOU were created to be and you will accomplish more than you dreamed or imagined. Remember, you are loved and you are being prayed for.
-Pastor Glenn
“Light your way”
"Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path."
—Psalm 119:105
Do you ever feel lost in life? You go through your day but you feel like you are just groping around in the dark trying to make some sense of everything going on?
Okay, so they didn't have flashlights when the Bible was written. But they had the next best thing to help them see at night: lamps fueled by oil.
And that light is a big help if you're out walking on an unfamiliar mountain path. Without it, you could get lost. You could tumble off a cliff. Or you could bump into some nasty animal you don't even want to make angry. But none of those things are likely to happen if you have a trustworthy source of light.
For the Christian, the Bible is that kind of light. It removes the darkness from your path, and points out stuff that threatens to trip up your walk with God. You just need to open it up, read it, and let its bright light guide your way.
A Seed
"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed," [Jesus told them]. "As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plant sprang up quickly, but it soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil. Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades so that it produced no grain. Still other seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted …."
—Mark 4:3-20
Jesus is telling one of his incredible stories. In this one he compares God's Word to a seed. Like handfuls of seeds tossed into the air and blown over a few acres of land, God's Word ends up dropping into the lives of many different people. Some of those people "just don't get it," and the Bible means nothing to them. Other people seem to really take it in, but eventually their so-called faith withers away because it was never firmly rooted. Then there are those who get caught up in all their problems, worries and sins. The Word of God is just choked right out of their lives. Still others let God's Word take root in them, and they grow in amazing ways and continue to mature in their faith. It takes time, discipline and patience to understand the Bible and discover its powerful, life-changing lessons. But that's the only way to produce lots of great fruit, right?
A Razor-Sharp Knife
"For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are."
—Hebrews 4:12
A surgeon takes his scalpel, carefully removes a brain tumor and saves a life. Impressive! But even more impressive is the razor-sharp Word of God that can slice away damaging "spiritual tumors," like: gossip … bitterness … hypocrisy … lust … bad language …. Cut them out of your life by letting God's Word go to work.
An Instruction Manual
… and more! "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." —2 Timothy 3:16-17
It would be a waste to buy a totally loaded computer if you're unwilling to read the instruction manual to see how to use everything it offers. But too many Christians treat their Christian life that way. Once they receive Christ, they are "totally loaded" and ready to do amazing things for God (2 Corinthians 5:17, John 14:11-13). Even so, they remain powerless and ineffective because they don't consult their "instruction manual."
But the Bible is so much more than an instruction booklet. It's often been called a "love letter" from God. The Bible tells of God's great love for us, and it demonstrates time and again that he is worthy of our trust. And at the center of the Bible is the ultimate love story of how Jesus came to Earth, lived, died for our sins, rose again, and then invited us all to join him for eternity in heaven.
So open your Bible. Study it often. Dig deep into its many treasures. Let it guide you in big and small decisions. Let it be the place where you come regularly to meet with God. When you do, you'll discover a Lord and Savior who is bigger, better, more amazing and more loving than you ever imagined.
"Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path."
—Psalm 119:105
Do you ever feel lost in life? You go through your day but you feel like you are just groping around in the dark trying to make some sense of everything going on?
Okay, so they didn't have flashlights when the Bible was written. But they had the next best thing to help them see at night: lamps fueled by oil.
And that light is a big help if you're out walking on an unfamiliar mountain path. Without it, you could get lost. You could tumble off a cliff. Or you could bump into some nasty animal you don't even want to make angry. But none of those things are likely to happen if you have a trustworthy source of light.
For the Christian, the Bible is that kind of light. It removes the darkness from your path, and points out stuff that threatens to trip up your walk with God. You just need to open it up, read it, and let its bright light guide your way.
A Seed
"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed," [Jesus told them]. "As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plant sprang up quickly, but it soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil. Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades so that it produced no grain. Still other seed fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted …."
—Mark 4:3-20
Jesus is telling one of his incredible stories. In this one he compares God's Word to a seed. Like handfuls of seeds tossed into the air and blown over a few acres of land, God's Word ends up dropping into the lives of many different people. Some of those people "just don't get it," and the Bible means nothing to them. Other people seem to really take it in, but eventually their so-called faith withers away because it was never firmly rooted. Then there are those who get caught up in all their problems, worries and sins. The Word of God is just choked right out of their lives. Still others let God's Word take root in them, and they grow in amazing ways and continue to mature in their faith. It takes time, discipline and patience to understand the Bible and discover its powerful, life-changing lessons. But that's the only way to produce lots of great fruit, right?
A Razor-Sharp Knife
"For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are."
—Hebrews 4:12
A surgeon takes his scalpel, carefully removes a brain tumor and saves a life. Impressive! But even more impressive is the razor-sharp Word of God that can slice away damaging "spiritual tumors," like: gossip … bitterness … hypocrisy … lust … bad language …. Cut them out of your life by letting God's Word go to work.
An Instruction Manual
… and more! "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." —2 Timothy 3:16-17
It would be a waste to buy a totally loaded computer if you're unwilling to read the instruction manual to see how to use everything it offers. But too many Christians treat their Christian life that way. Once they receive Christ, they are "totally loaded" and ready to do amazing things for God (2 Corinthians 5:17, John 14:11-13). Even so, they remain powerless and ineffective because they don't consult their "instruction manual."
But the Bible is so much more than an instruction booklet. It's often been called a "love letter" from God. The Bible tells of God's great love for us, and it demonstrates time and again that he is worthy of our trust. And at the center of the Bible is the ultimate love story of how Jesus came to Earth, lived, died for our sins, rose again, and then invited us all to join him for eternity in heaven.
So open your Bible. Study it often. Dig deep into its many treasures. Let it guide you in big and small decisions. Let it be the place where you come regularly to meet with God. When you do, you'll discover a Lord and Savior who is bigger, better, more amazing and more loving than you ever imagined.
Loving unconditionally can be really tough.
When you are treated badly it hurts, especially if you are on the receiving end from a friend or even a family member. When it comes from someone you don’t like or even consider as your enemy, what often comes to mind? Retaliation. It’s payback time!
Jesus revolutionized love. He showed us that to love we often have to disregard personal comfort and convenience. Jesus demonstrated love to the fullest, putting it into action even when it was really painful.
No one forced Jesus to leave heaven and come to earth. But His love compelled him. He didn’t want to just stand by and watch the world suffer. He volunteered for the rescue mission. He chose to experience suffering to show us what love really looks like. In the words of the Message, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14a)
The Son possessed more than anyone else in the entire universe, but He left it behind to grow up as one of us and experience our pain. And how did the world thank Him? A few welcomed Him as savior, but most ridiculed Him and rejoiced in His brutal murder.
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8)
How does our love compare? Do we cling to comfort, or do we willingly give it up to help those in need? Do we readily forgive others, or is it a bit like pulling teeth? I know I need a whole lot of help to love like that. I look at the perfect, selfless love of Jesus and feel like a total failure. I could say, “Hey, look, I’m no Jesus; God doesn’t expect that kind of love to come from me!” Or does He?
Here’s the kicker. I’m not off the hook. Jesus actually commands us to love one another: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34) Jesus also said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27) OK, so I am called to love others, to forget about my own comfort and convenience and reach out to those I don’t really like, even to those who might hate me.
Sounds impossible! Well, that’s because it is. This kind of love isn’t going to flow naturally from our hearts. There isn't an 'on' switch we can just flick. This love is not from this world. That’s why Jesus entered our world. He knew we needed to be freed from sin in order to love.
So what hope do we have of growing in this kind of love? The key is faith. We can only love this way through trusting in the one who embodied love. Think about that difficult person you butt heads with at work or at school, or that rough individual you feel God is calling you to reach out to, or someone in your family with whom you have a broken or rocky relationship. Would you dare to trust God to show you how to love that person?
Nobody said it would be easy, but it’s a complete game changer if we could truly love by faith. Here’s a few pointers:
Remember how much Jesus loves you. Read through the stories of His crucifixion and regain that sense of awe at all He gave up to secure your freedom.
Confess the limitations of your own love. Jesus knew none of us would measure up. That’s why He sent His Spirit to nurture His love in our hearts.
Surrender the difficult relationship to Him. Place the person’s negative responses to you in His hands. Ask Him to heal any emotional scarring you have from this person.
Ask Him to teach you how to love. You don’t have what it takes, but He does. Trust that He will give you the words to say in times of conflict, and that He will show you what actions you can do to demonstrate true love.
Choose love. When pain and frustrations with this person surface, you need to choose to bless and not curse, to sacrifice your time and energy and not just retreat for self-preservation.
As you take these steps, your attitude will begin to change. You will be amazed at the transformation that will take place in your heart through faith. Love—the real Jesus kind of love—will be taking root in you. When you put yourself in the place of total DEPENDENCE ON HIS POWER to help you love, He always proves Himself faithful. His Spirit will speak to your heart and teach you what it means to love even when it’s painful. He will give you the strength to love as He commanded. And the joy it will bring will be out-of-this-world—literally, cause it all started when Jesus loved us so much that He moved into the neighborhood.
When you are treated badly it hurts, especially if you are on the receiving end from a friend or even a family member. When it comes from someone you don’t like or even consider as your enemy, what often comes to mind? Retaliation. It’s payback time!
Jesus revolutionized love. He showed us that to love we often have to disregard personal comfort and convenience. Jesus demonstrated love to the fullest, putting it into action even when it was really painful.
No one forced Jesus to leave heaven and come to earth. But His love compelled him. He didn’t want to just stand by and watch the world suffer. He volunteered for the rescue mission. He chose to experience suffering to show us what love really looks like. In the words of the Message, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14a)
The Son possessed more than anyone else in the entire universe, but He left it behind to grow up as one of us and experience our pain. And how did the world thank Him? A few welcomed Him as savior, but most ridiculed Him and rejoiced in His brutal murder.
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8)
How does our love compare? Do we cling to comfort, or do we willingly give it up to help those in need? Do we readily forgive others, or is it a bit like pulling teeth? I know I need a whole lot of help to love like that. I look at the perfect, selfless love of Jesus and feel like a total failure. I could say, “Hey, look, I’m no Jesus; God doesn’t expect that kind of love to come from me!” Or does He?
Here’s the kicker. I’m not off the hook. Jesus actually commands us to love one another: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34) Jesus also said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27) OK, so I am called to love others, to forget about my own comfort and convenience and reach out to those I don’t really like, even to those who might hate me.
Sounds impossible! Well, that’s because it is. This kind of love isn’t going to flow naturally from our hearts. There isn't an 'on' switch we can just flick. This love is not from this world. That’s why Jesus entered our world. He knew we needed to be freed from sin in order to love.
So what hope do we have of growing in this kind of love? The key is faith. We can only love this way through trusting in the one who embodied love. Think about that difficult person you butt heads with at work or at school, or that rough individual you feel God is calling you to reach out to, or someone in your family with whom you have a broken or rocky relationship. Would you dare to trust God to show you how to love that person?
Nobody said it would be easy, but it’s a complete game changer if we could truly love by faith. Here’s a few pointers:
Remember how much Jesus loves you. Read through the stories of His crucifixion and regain that sense of awe at all He gave up to secure your freedom.
Confess the limitations of your own love. Jesus knew none of us would measure up. That’s why He sent His Spirit to nurture His love in our hearts.
Surrender the difficult relationship to Him. Place the person’s negative responses to you in His hands. Ask Him to heal any emotional scarring you have from this person.
Ask Him to teach you how to love. You don’t have what it takes, but He does. Trust that He will give you the words to say in times of conflict, and that He will show you what actions you can do to demonstrate true love.
Choose love. When pain and frustrations with this person surface, you need to choose to bless and not curse, to sacrifice your time and energy and not just retreat for self-preservation.
As you take these steps, your attitude will begin to change. You will be amazed at the transformation that will take place in your heart through faith. Love—the real Jesus kind of love—will be taking root in you. When you put yourself in the place of total DEPENDENCE ON HIS POWER to help you love, He always proves Himself faithful. His Spirit will speak to your heart and teach you what it means to love even when it’s painful. He will give you the strength to love as He commanded. And the joy it will bring will be out-of-this-world—literally, cause it all started when Jesus loved us so much that He moved into the neighborhood.
The Attraction
There is something hypnotic and intoxicating about sin. One sin leads to another and feeds our desire to want more. For a lot of people, sinful behavior seems more exciting than the “boring Christian life”. That’s why people throw aside what they know is wrong and not pleasing to God to chase the “golden carrot” and jump head first into what the world claims to offer them.
Make no mistake, Satan loves to press your buttons and offer you the attractive “sin package” every chance he gets. What he doesn’t tell you is that there’s always – without exception, a price to pay. As soon as we step outside what lines up with God’s Word we open the door for emotional, physical and spiritual destruction.
Romans 6: 23 gives us a warning
For the wages of sin is death.
But it also gives us hope:
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
My prayer for you is that you wouldn’t take the bait or buy into the lies of the enemy. Resolve in your heart to follow after God with a passion. Throw aside anything that will slow you down or hinder your walk with God. Don’t focus on the moment – the here and now. Choose life, not death. Focus on your future and your eternity.
Today’s thrill often leads to tomorrow’s ruin.
Pastor Glenn
There is something hypnotic and intoxicating about sin. One sin leads to another and feeds our desire to want more. For a lot of people, sinful behavior seems more exciting than the “boring Christian life”. That’s why people throw aside what they know is wrong and not pleasing to God to chase the “golden carrot” and jump head first into what the world claims to offer them.
Make no mistake, Satan loves to press your buttons and offer you the attractive “sin package” every chance he gets. What he doesn’t tell you is that there’s always – without exception, a price to pay. As soon as we step outside what lines up with God’s Word we open the door for emotional, physical and spiritual destruction.
Romans 6: 23 gives us a warning
For the wages of sin is death.
But it also gives us hope:
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
My prayer for you is that you wouldn’t take the bait or buy into the lies of the enemy. Resolve in your heart to follow after God with a passion. Throw aside anything that will slow you down or hinder your walk with God. Don’t focus on the moment – the here and now. Choose life, not death. Focus on your future and your eternity.
Today’s thrill often leads to tomorrow’s ruin.
Pastor Glenn
We All Have a Purpose
Have you ever heard anyone say, there’s nothing special I can do; I just don’t have any purpose in life? Or, how about this, I just want to die, I just want out, there’s nothing left in life for me to live for?
Maybe you are at that place right now.
We live in a culture today that puts so much emphasis on the wrong thing. After all, if you’re not young or beautiful, what is there for you? We are all affected by this.
I’ve noticed a very interesting thing among teenagers (this often goes for adults, too). Have you noticed, especially when talking about physical features, everyone will tell you their major physical defect. At least, it’s major to them. You look at this gorgeous girl, and think, “Wow, what would I give to look like that?” She will tell you, however, I’m not beautiful, my nose is too long, or my eyes are too small, or my teeth are crooked, or I walk funny, or I’m too short, or I’m too tall, etc. Our own perspective of ourselves is usually very negative. Yet, all of that is totally irrelevant, even though our culture does not view it that way. What does the Bible say about our purpose in life?
When you've given your life to Jesus, you become a member of one body, therefore, we each have the specific purpose that God designed for us to have! For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
God has made you for a unique and special reason. Examine your own likes and dislikes: what you are really good at and what you are not good at, what is really interesting and fun to you and what is not.
“Why does THIS matter,” you ask me? It matters because you were designed by God to be you! You have a unique place and purpose that no one else has. You may think, “There are a million other people who are just like me—they like the same things I like, and do the same things I do. Not true! Many people may be similar to you, but they are never exactly like you. You are a unique part of the world God has placed you in, and you are needed. No one else is exactly like you, therefore, without you, something would be missing. Examine just who you are, and you will have taken one gigantic step toward finding your purpose in life. Discover the amazing person God custom designed you to be. Then make your focus and goal to serve Him with all you've got!
Pastor Glenn
Have you ever heard anyone say, there’s nothing special I can do; I just don’t have any purpose in life? Or, how about this, I just want to die, I just want out, there’s nothing left in life for me to live for?
Maybe you are at that place right now.
We live in a culture today that puts so much emphasis on the wrong thing. After all, if you’re not young or beautiful, what is there for you? We are all affected by this.
I’ve noticed a very interesting thing among teenagers (this often goes for adults, too). Have you noticed, especially when talking about physical features, everyone will tell you their major physical defect. At least, it’s major to them. You look at this gorgeous girl, and think, “Wow, what would I give to look like that?” She will tell you, however, I’m not beautiful, my nose is too long, or my eyes are too small, or my teeth are crooked, or I walk funny, or I’m too short, or I’m too tall, etc. Our own perspective of ourselves is usually very negative. Yet, all of that is totally irrelevant, even though our culture does not view it that way. What does the Bible say about our purpose in life?
When you've given your life to Jesus, you become a member of one body, therefore, we each have the specific purpose that God designed for us to have! For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
God has made you for a unique and special reason. Examine your own likes and dislikes: what you are really good at and what you are not good at, what is really interesting and fun to you and what is not.
“Why does THIS matter,” you ask me? It matters because you were designed by God to be you! You have a unique place and purpose that no one else has. You may think, “There are a million other people who are just like me—they like the same things I like, and do the same things I do. Not true! Many people may be similar to you, but they are never exactly like you. You are a unique part of the world God has placed you in, and you are needed. No one else is exactly like you, therefore, without you, something would be missing. Examine just who you are, and you will have taken one gigantic step toward finding your purpose in life. Discover the amazing person God custom designed you to be. Then make your focus and goal to serve Him with all you've got!
Pastor Glenn
“Heart Start”
Do you ever find your heart (emotions) at odds with your circumstances—in need of an “attitude adjustment?” It happens to all of us. Maybe you got some bad news, ran into a grumpy person, remembered some burden, picked up an anxiety, or just generally slumped into self-pity. Gray days and emotional lows are a part of our spiritual journey, and they are always deceptive! They always blind us to what’s really important, and what’s really good about our lives.
A tweaked spirit can manifest itself in many ways—sadness, despair, discouragement, irritability, frustration, anxiety, self-pity, argumentativeness, anger, relational tension, and more. In these moments, you need a reset. You need something to wipe the emotional slate clean. You need a forced restart of your emotions.
Here are TEN helpful and healthy ways to reset your tweaked emotions…
1. Go to Prayer—Honest prayer. Just lay it all out before God—exactly how you feel. (He already knows.) And ask Him to reset your emotions by His Spirit. Ask Him for HIS perspective. (It’s hard to pray when your heart is tweaked, but that’s why it works!)
2. Go to God’s Word—Truth makes you free. Tweaked emotions are stuck on a lie, like a scratched DVD that won’t play forward. God’s Word will remind you of who God is, and will align your heart back to His perspective and promises.
3. Go to a Godly Friend—Encouraging friends are emotional fuel for an empty tank. Hopeful hearts are contagious. Build an A-list of outside voices who will speak hope into your perspective.
4. Go to a Godly Song—Music is emotion. By it’s very created design, it always impacts our emotions. Music paints emotions into our hearts. Build a play list of songs that lift your eyes from yourself to your Saviour, songs that inspire you to press on!
5. Go to a Good Memory—Memories are gifts from God. Often in His Word God calls His people to “remember” or to “not forget.” Think of the many times God has come through for you. Think of the miracles He’s done in your life. Remember HIM!
6. Go to a Good Book—Good books are like good friends. They shine the light on truth and they speak strength and grace into our hard moments. A good book takes my eyes off of self and places them back onto my Saviour and His eternal purpose for my life.
6. Go for a Walk—Sadness makes us sedentary. So get up and get active. Walk and pray—talk it out with God or a close friend. While you exert physical energy your emotions will change as well.
7. Go to Sleep—Rest for the mind is emotional fuel. Sometimes the explanation is simply exhaustion. Coach Vince Lombardi said it well, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”
8. Go to Church—A healthy church will renew and restore your heart. Nothing is better for the soul than fellowship, worship, and community with Christian family!
9. Go on Sabbath—Plan a full day every week for rest. God is your first example in this. On top of this, periodically plan a two or three day get-away to catch your breath. A change of environment with your spouse and your Saviour will change your heart.
10. Go to Serve—Visit someone else in their suffering. Meet the needs of another person. Standing by the bedside of a sick child or praying with a grieving Christian will always reset your perspective on your own trials.
God bless you as you restart your heart for to enjoy God’s best today!
Do you ever find your heart (emotions) at odds with your circumstances—in need of an “attitude adjustment?” It happens to all of us. Maybe you got some bad news, ran into a grumpy person, remembered some burden, picked up an anxiety, or just generally slumped into self-pity. Gray days and emotional lows are a part of our spiritual journey, and they are always deceptive! They always blind us to what’s really important, and what’s really good about our lives.
A tweaked spirit can manifest itself in many ways—sadness, despair, discouragement, irritability, frustration, anxiety, self-pity, argumentativeness, anger, relational tension, and more. In these moments, you need a reset. You need something to wipe the emotional slate clean. You need a forced restart of your emotions.
Here are TEN helpful and healthy ways to reset your tweaked emotions…
1. Go to Prayer—Honest prayer. Just lay it all out before God—exactly how you feel. (He already knows.) And ask Him to reset your emotions by His Spirit. Ask Him for HIS perspective. (It’s hard to pray when your heart is tweaked, but that’s why it works!)
2. Go to God’s Word—Truth makes you free. Tweaked emotions are stuck on a lie, like a scratched DVD that won’t play forward. God’s Word will remind you of who God is, and will align your heart back to His perspective and promises.
3. Go to a Godly Friend—Encouraging friends are emotional fuel for an empty tank. Hopeful hearts are contagious. Build an A-list of outside voices who will speak hope into your perspective.
4. Go to a Godly Song—Music is emotion. By it’s very created design, it always impacts our emotions. Music paints emotions into our hearts. Build a play list of songs that lift your eyes from yourself to your Saviour, songs that inspire you to press on!
5. Go to a Good Memory—Memories are gifts from God. Often in His Word God calls His people to “remember” or to “not forget.” Think of the many times God has come through for you. Think of the miracles He’s done in your life. Remember HIM!
6. Go to a Good Book—Good books are like good friends. They shine the light on truth and they speak strength and grace into our hard moments. A good book takes my eyes off of self and places them back onto my Saviour and His eternal purpose for my life.
6. Go for a Walk—Sadness makes us sedentary. So get up and get active. Walk and pray—talk it out with God or a close friend. While you exert physical energy your emotions will change as well.
7. Go to Sleep—Rest for the mind is emotional fuel. Sometimes the explanation is simply exhaustion. Coach Vince Lombardi said it well, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”
8. Go to Church—A healthy church will renew and restore your heart. Nothing is better for the soul than fellowship, worship, and community with Christian family!
9. Go on Sabbath—Plan a full day every week for rest. God is your first example in this. On top of this, periodically plan a two or three day get-away to catch your breath. A change of environment with your spouse and your Saviour will change your heart.
10. Go to Serve—Visit someone else in their suffering. Meet the needs of another person. Standing by the bedside of a sick child or praying with a grieving Christian will always reset your perspective on your own trials.
God bless you as you restart your heart for to enjoy God’s best today!
"Read, watch, play"
Make no mistake, what we read, what we watch, what we play and experiment with and whom we do it with has a huge effect on our hearts and lives. Often even without noticing it, we allow influences into our lives that plant seeds that will produce anything but what is honoring to God.
What we plug into matters!
When it comes to whether or not it's okay for us to entertain ourselves, the Bible DOES give us the freedom to enjoy and recreate. God never said, "Thou shalt not have fun, nor shalt thou smile in all thy days." ☺ Having a good time is not a sin, but we do need to remember what God has said about godly living—even during fun activities, whether it's reading, watching movies, playing video games, or whatever. In fact, we should give thanks to God that we even have the ability to do such things (Colossians 3:17; James 1:17)!
Here are some principles that will help you make good choices about specific media that won't bring you (or anybody else) down:
Think about good things.
Philippians 4:8 says that we should think about "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable." When you're watching a movie, ask yourself: "Does the story promote good morals, or does it tempt me to try something that I shouldn't be doing?" When you're playing a video game, ask yourself: "Does this challenge my mind and help me grow, or does it make me feel angry and like I want to throw something at someone?"
Surround yourself with good influences.
God is pretty clear that He does not want us to be under the influence of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). That doesn't mean you can't watch a movie or read a book that wasn't made by a person professing Christ, but it does mean that we should not allow our thoughts, words, and actions to be changed negatively by people who do not put God first in their lives.
For example, playing violent video games a lot may eventually desensitize you to violence in real life. Even if you would never actually murder someone, your convictions about being kind and loving toward others could get broken down if you allowed yourself to be repeatedly exposed to images of people being violent. Live for God in all things and ask God for the strength to say "no" when someone or something would take you away from that.
Be a good friend.
When we're making media choices, we should keep our friends and family in mind. First Corinthians 8:9 talks about making sure that our lifestyles do not cause other believers to sin. Maybe you're okay with watching vampire flicks, but if watching it in front of your 8-year old sister causes her to freak out and start questioning if God will keep her safe, then you probably want to avoid doing that. Our freedom to relax and enjoy our lives should never cause others to struggle with their own faith.
Ask God for direction.
Maybe that seems kind of obvious, but God will totally give you guidance when you ask, "Is Grand Theft Auto the best video game for me?" or "Should I be watching American Pie?" This is the very reason God gave us the Holy Spirit (John 14:26)! Maybe you could watch Zombieland and be nothing more than merely entertained, or it might make you accidentally work some serious profanity into your vocabulary. The Holy Spirit can tell you which would happen to you.
As a general rule of thumb, if you're wondering whether or not you should watching or reading something, take this advice: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
God honestly cares about what happens to us, so we should give all of our worries and concerns to Him (1 Peter 5:7). After all, He knows us best and knows what kind movies, books, video games, or whatever we can handle right now and what we cannot.
We do have the freedom to make these choices for ourselves, but we do need to be aware of what sorts of media be allow into our brains. Everything we see, do, or hear will affect us in some way, so it is our responsbility as Christians to make wise choices about media consumption (Philippians 4:8). While one thing may be OK for one person, it may not be OK for you, and vice versa. God gave us the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) to guide us and give us wisdom in these decisions. Philippians 4:6-7 gives some great advice for when you're asking yourself, "Is __________ good for me to read/watch/play?"
Make no mistake, what we read, what we watch, what we play and experiment with and whom we do it with has a huge effect on our hearts and lives. Often even without noticing it, we allow influences into our lives that plant seeds that will produce anything but what is honoring to God.
What we plug into matters!
When it comes to whether or not it's okay for us to entertain ourselves, the Bible DOES give us the freedom to enjoy and recreate. God never said, "Thou shalt not have fun, nor shalt thou smile in all thy days." ☺ Having a good time is not a sin, but we do need to remember what God has said about godly living—even during fun activities, whether it's reading, watching movies, playing video games, or whatever. In fact, we should give thanks to God that we even have the ability to do such things (Colossians 3:17; James 1:17)!
Here are some principles that will help you make good choices about specific media that won't bring you (or anybody else) down:
Think about good things.
Philippians 4:8 says that we should think about "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable." When you're watching a movie, ask yourself: "Does the story promote good morals, or does it tempt me to try something that I shouldn't be doing?" When you're playing a video game, ask yourself: "Does this challenge my mind and help me grow, or does it make me feel angry and like I want to throw something at someone?"
Surround yourself with good influences.
God is pretty clear that He does not want us to be under the influence of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). That doesn't mean you can't watch a movie or read a book that wasn't made by a person professing Christ, but it does mean that we should not allow our thoughts, words, and actions to be changed negatively by people who do not put God first in their lives.
For example, playing violent video games a lot may eventually desensitize you to violence in real life. Even if you would never actually murder someone, your convictions about being kind and loving toward others could get broken down if you allowed yourself to be repeatedly exposed to images of people being violent. Live for God in all things and ask God for the strength to say "no" when someone or something would take you away from that.
Be a good friend.
When we're making media choices, we should keep our friends and family in mind. First Corinthians 8:9 talks about making sure that our lifestyles do not cause other believers to sin. Maybe you're okay with watching vampire flicks, but if watching it in front of your 8-year old sister causes her to freak out and start questioning if God will keep her safe, then you probably want to avoid doing that. Our freedom to relax and enjoy our lives should never cause others to struggle with their own faith.
Ask God for direction.
Maybe that seems kind of obvious, but God will totally give you guidance when you ask, "Is Grand Theft Auto the best video game for me?" or "Should I be watching American Pie?" This is the very reason God gave us the Holy Spirit (John 14:26)! Maybe you could watch Zombieland and be nothing more than merely entertained, or it might make you accidentally work some serious profanity into your vocabulary. The Holy Spirit can tell you which would happen to you.
As a general rule of thumb, if you're wondering whether or not you should watching or reading something, take this advice: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
God honestly cares about what happens to us, so we should give all of our worries and concerns to Him (1 Peter 5:7). After all, He knows us best and knows what kind movies, books, video games, or whatever we can handle right now and what we cannot.
We do have the freedom to make these choices for ourselves, but we do need to be aware of what sorts of media be allow into our brains. Everything we see, do, or hear will affect us in some way, so it is our responsbility as Christians to make wise choices about media consumption (Philippians 4:8). While one thing may be OK for one person, it may not be OK for you, and vice versa. God gave us the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) to guide us and give us wisdom in these decisions. Philippians 4:6-7 gives some great advice for when you're asking yourself, "Is __________ good for me to read/watch/play?"
The Pressure Cooker
James 1: 2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Things are like, crazy out of control. Parent issues and family stuff, friends drama, issues at work, expectations, priorities, misunderstandings, back against the wall, school ... don't even get me started. And then I read this passage of scripture... And I ask "God are you for real here?"
Hold up,
You and I can't really know how deep our character is until we see how we react under pressure. It's easy to be calm and cool and maybe even be doing our "praise God on thing" when everything is going well but what happens when the bottom seems to fall out of life ?
Instead of complaining about our troubles and struggles we should see them as opportunities for growth. After all, we want to grow up don't we? And after all, doesn't God have our life plan already drawn up? It's time to thank God for His amazing plan and purpose even though we can't always see it or understand what's going on. His promise is to be with us in rough times.
Ask Him to intervene and to get involved. Trust Him unconditionally, regardless of how things look. Lean on His strength to endure and be patient. God will not leave you alone. He's there ... for real, and you can rest in His presence.
Be encouraged today and don't give up.
R.J. Canton
James 1: 2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Things are like, crazy out of control. Parent issues and family stuff, friends drama, issues at work, expectations, priorities, misunderstandings, back against the wall, school ... don't even get me started. And then I read this passage of scripture... And I ask "God are you for real here?"
Hold up,
You and I can't really know how deep our character is until we see how we react under pressure. It's easy to be calm and cool and maybe even be doing our "praise God on thing" when everything is going well but what happens when the bottom seems to fall out of life ?
Instead of complaining about our troubles and struggles we should see them as opportunities for growth. After all, we want to grow up don't we? And after all, doesn't God have our life plan already drawn up? It's time to thank God for His amazing plan and purpose even though we can't always see it or understand what's going on. His promise is to be with us in rough times.
Ask Him to intervene and to get involved. Trust Him unconditionally, regardless of how things look. Lean on His strength to endure and be patient. God will not leave you alone. He's there ... for real, and you can rest in His presence.
Be encouraged today and don't give up.
R.J. Canton
"T" Wrecks
As a Pastor, I've seen many people serving God only to start chasing after the " golden carrot" that the world dangles in front of them. Those thoughts of " it looks like fun, there's no real harm, everybody does it, I'm just going to try it once" blurs our focus and our passion for serving God. Thoughts easily give way to full on TEMPTATION leaving a person's life in smouldering ruins.
Temptations come at us all the time in various forms—whether we're alone or with someone else or with a whole group of people. We're never really out of the woods in that sense. It's important to resist the temptations to do or say things that would not be good us. Only God knows the best things for us to say, see, do, etc. Yet we still find ourselves faced with having to make a decision in the moment, don't we?
Having a plan of action can help when you're standing at the crossroads of "do it" or "turn away". If you know that you're likely to get tempted by a certain thing, then it's always best to avoid it altogether. Seems simple enough, right? But life isn't always that simple.
What about when temptations can't be avoided, or if you have already found yourself inching closer to it? Is it too late? Should you go ahead with it anyway? When this happens, be ready with an alternate thing that you can do instead. Why have an alternate? If you just tell yourself "No!" then sit around and do nothing, the temptation is bound to creep up again to fill in the space. If you replace the temptation with another, healthier alternative, then you've beaten it!
Create a Plan of Action
What can you do to create a plan of action? There's a plan of action for that too: Know God and follow Him. He is your absolute best guide, and He won't lead you astray. Here's how you can get started:
Read the Bible. That sounds really trite, but honestly, the Bible is God's personal love letter to us and a guide to Life, the Universe, and Everything Else. By reading His Word, we can learn more about His love, His justice, His mercy, and His plan. By doing that, we get to know Him better.
Talk to God. The best way to get to know a person is by having conversations with him or her. It's the same with God. To know Him personally, we can pray to Him, asking Him to show His handiwork in our lives and and change us for the better. The Bible says that if we seek God, we will find Him (Matthew 7:7). And if we allow Him to, He will transform us into new people who can know what He wants for our lives (Romans 12:2).
Get ready to change. Be willing to stop sinful ways, letting go of pride and selfishness. As God changes us, we will learn to develop the right attitudes that come from the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all Christians (Galatians 5:22-23; John 14:17). As we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, giving Him control over our lives, we will begin to trust that what He decides is best. "Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done" (Colossians 2:7).
Act on those changes! If our trust in God is going to grow, we have to learn to step out in faith that He has chosen wisely for us. We have to move out of our comfy beanbags and take chances for Jesus' sake. If we believe God will take care of us for that day, then we're free to carry out His will, regardless of the consequences.
Fight temptation with God. Whenever we face temptations, God will always provide a way out so that we will not be overwhelmed by it (1 Corinthians 10:13). But that doesn't mean He just whisks it away while we're running straight toward it. We need to be on the lookout for the way out, praise God when we find it, then run to the exit as fast as possible.
Yes, temptations are a part of life on this fallen world. But 1 Peter 1:7 says God will use trials to test our faith and to make us stronger Christians; we will be given much honor if we can stand strong and not waver. "Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news – the Good News about Christ" (Romans 10:17).
Pastor Glenn
As a Pastor, I've seen many people serving God only to start chasing after the " golden carrot" that the world dangles in front of them. Those thoughts of " it looks like fun, there's no real harm, everybody does it, I'm just going to try it once" blurs our focus and our passion for serving God. Thoughts easily give way to full on TEMPTATION leaving a person's life in smouldering ruins.
Temptations come at us all the time in various forms—whether we're alone or with someone else or with a whole group of people. We're never really out of the woods in that sense. It's important to resist the temptations to do or say things that would not be good us. Only God knows the best things for us to say, see, do, etc. Yet we still find ourselves faced with having to make a decision in the moment, don't we?
Having a plan of action can help when you're standing at the crossroads of "do it" or "turn away". If you know that you're likely to get tempted by a certain thing, then it's always best to avoid it altogether. Seems simple enough, right? But life isn't always that simple.
What about when temptations can't be avoided, or if you have already found yourself inching closer to it? Is it too late? Should you go ahead with it anyway? When this happens, be ready with an alternate thing that you can do instead. Why have an alternate? If you just tell yourself "No!" then sit around and do nothing, the temptation is bound to creep up again to fill in the space. If you replace the temptation with another, healthier alternative, then you've beaten it!
Create a Plan of Action
What can you do to create a plan of action? There's a plan of action for that too: Know God and follow Him. He is your absolute best guide, and He won't lead you astray. Here's how you can get started:
Read the Bible. That sounds really trite, but honestly, the Bible is God's personal love letter to us and a guide to Life, the Universe, and Everything Else. By reading His Word, we can learn more about His love, His justice, His mercy, and His plan. By doing that, we get to know Him better.
Talk to God. The best way to get to know a person is by having conversations with him or her. It's the same with God. To know Him personally, we can pray to Him, asking Him to show His handiwork in our lives and and change us for the better. The Bible says that if we seek God, we will find Him (Matthew 7:7). And if we allow Him to, He will transform us into new people who can know what He wants for our lives (Romans 12:2).
Get ready to change. Be willing to stop sinful ways, letting go of pride and selfishness. As God changes us, we will learn to develop the right attitudes that come from the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all Christians (Galatians 5:22-23; John 14:17). As we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, giving Him control over our lives, we will begin to trust that what He decides is best. "Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done" (Colossians 2:7).
Act on those changes! If our trust in God is going to grow, we have to learn to step out in faith that He has chosen wisely for us. We have to move out of our comfy beanbags and take chances for Jesus' sake. If we believe God will take care of us for that day, then we're free to carry out His will, regardless of the consequences.
Fight temptation with God. Whenever we face temptations, God will always provide a way out so that we will not be overwhelmed by it (1 Corinthians 10:13). But that doesn't mean He just whisks it away while we're running straight toward it. We need to be on the lookout for the way out, praise God when we find it, then run to the exit as fast as possible.
Yes, temptations are a part of life on this fallen world. But 1 Peter 1:7 says God will use trials to test our faith and to make us stronger Christians; we will be given much honor if we can stand strong and not waver. "Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news – the Good News about Christ" (Romans 10:17).
Pastor Glenn
Sin Effects
We talk so much about avoiding sin and overcoming temptations, but we're human. Sometimes we sin. So, what are the emotional effects of sin? Is it really a big deal? We often talk about consequences of sin in discipline like groundings or tangible things like losing a job or hurting others. However, sin has a way of creeping into the way we feel. It creates separations, makes us sad, and creates doubt. Sin can be extremely damaging, not just to others, but to ourselves. Here are just a few of the emotional effects of sin in our lives:
Separates You from God
God wants a relationship with each one of us. He desires our love, and he wants us to turn to him in good times and bad. He is our Father. He is our guide. Yet, when we sin, we hurt God. We turn away from Him and look to other things that are far less important. When we lie, cheat, steal…we hurt God. This causes a separation. Think about your best friend. If your best friend found out you had been stealing from him or her, what do you think that would do to your relationship? When we sin, we become separate from God rather than one with Him. While he is very forgiving when we ask for it, sometimes we allow that separation to grow and we move further and further away from the biggest support in our lives.
Adds Sadness to Our Hearts
One of the biggest emotional effects of sin is the sadness that grows in us after we sin. Once we realize we did something wrong, we become sad. We know we've hurt God. We know we've probably hurt someone else. It creates a sadness inside of us. For some people, that sadness is a catalyst to make things better. Yet for others, it is an insidious sadness that becomes consuming. It can be a trigger to more self-destructive behaviors and greater sadness.
Lowers Our Self Esteem
Sin has a way of making us feel bad about ourselves. While some people get sad, others beat themselves up over sin. It has a way of taking our self-esteem down several notches. While God may forgive us, low self-esteem may prevent us from forgiving ourselves. When that happens we often get stuck in self-destruction. We never feel good enough, and we stop listening to God. We start listening to the voices telling us we can never be good enough. That's not what God desires. God loves us…self-perceived flaws and all.
Allows Bitterness In
Sometimes when we sin it's not just sadness that settles in. Bitterness has a way of rearing its ugly head. We stop thinking that things matter. We become angry and cold. Our hearts become hard and we turn away from God. Bitterness makes us unpleasant. Sin takes us away from the warmth of God's grace, because we lose sight of the good.
Drowns Us in Guilt
When we become sad and lose our self-esteem due to sin, it's usually because we are overwhelmed by guilt. It's not to say that we shouldn't take sin seriously, we should. A small amount of guilt it healthy, because it allows us to correct ourselves and our behavior. However, when we cannot let go of the guilt, we just end up dwelling on it. Again, we have to learn to forgive ourselves and try better next time. Yet sometimes that guilt keeps us from moving forward.
Let's Doubt Creep In
One of the greatest emotional effects of sin is the creeping in of doubt. It's not to say that people never doubt their faith, but when doubt comes from sin it means we're allowing the sin to have control. When we give control to sin, that means we're no longer giving control to God. We're pushing him out and allowing other things to come in and take over. We often talk about sin being so bad, but we forget that most sin doesn't always feel bad when we're sinning. When sin seems pleasurable and fun, we find ourselves in a crisis of faith. God says it's wrong, but it doesn't feel wrong. So what does that say about God? This is how doubt works to push us away from God
All sin has consequences, some that will even impact your eternity. Remember, there is a difference between what feels good and what the world accepts and what God says is right and wrong.
We talk so much about avoiding sin and overcoming temptations, but we're human. Sometimes we sin. So, what are the emotional effects of sin? Is it really a big deal? We often talk about consequences of sin in discipline like groundings or tangible things like losing a job or hurting others. However, sin has a way of creeping into the way we feel. It creates separations, makes us sad, and creates doubt. Sin can be extremely damaging, not just to others, but to ourselves. Here are just a few of the emotional effects of sin in our lives:
Separates You from God
God wants a relationship with each one of us. He desires our love, and he wants us to turn to him in good times and bad. He is our Father. He is our guide. Yet, when we sin, we hurt God. We turn away from Him and look to other things that are far less important. When we lie, cheat, steal…we hurt God. This causes a separation. Think about your best friend. If your best friend found out you had been stealing from him or her, what do you think that would do to your relationship? When we sin, we become separate from God rather than one with Him. While he is very forgiving when we ask for it, sometimes we allow that separation to grow and we move further and further away from the biggest support in our lives.
Adds Sadness to Our Hearts
One of the biggest emotional effects of sin is the sadness that grows in us after we sin. Once we realize we did something wrong, we become sad. We know we've hurt God. We know we've probably hurt someone else. It creates a sadness inside of us. For some people, that sadness is a catalyst to make things better. Yet for others, it is an insidious sadness that becomes consuming. It can be a trigger to more self-destructive behaviors and greater sadness.
Lowers Our Self Esteem
Sin has a way of making us feel bad about ourselves. While some people get sad, others beat themselves up over sin. It has a way of taking our self-esteem down several notches. While God may forgive us, low self-esteem may prevent us from forgiving ourselves. When that happens we often get stuck in self-destruction. We never feel good enough, and we stop listening to God. We start listening to the voices telling us we can never be good enough. That's not what God desires. God loves us…self-perceived flaws and all.
Allows Bitterness In
Sometimes when we sin it's not just sadness that settles in. Bitterness has a way of rearing its ugly head. We stop thinking that things matter. We become angry and cold. Our hearts become hard and we turn away from God. Bitterness makes us unpleasant. Sin takes us away from the warmth of God's grace, because we lose sight of the good.
Drowns Us in Guilt
When we become sad and lose our self-esteem due to sin, it's usually because we are overwhelmed by guilt. It's not to say that we shouldn't take sin seriously, we should. A small amount of guilt it healthy, because it allows us to correct ourselves and our behavior. However, when we cannot let go of the guilt, we just end up dwelling on it. Again, we have to learn to forgive ourselves and try better next time. Yet sometimes that guilt keeps us from moving forward.
Let's Doubt Creep In
One of the greatest emotional effects of sin is the creeping in of doubt. It's not to say that people never doubt their faith, but when doubt comes from sin it means we're allowing the sin to have control. When we give control to sin, that means we're no longer giving control to God. We're pushing him out and allowing other things to come in and take over. We often talk about sin being so bad, but we forget that most sin doesn't always feel bad when we're sinning. When sin seems pleasurable and fun, we find ourselves in a crisis of faith. God says it's wrong, but it doesn't feel wrong. So what does that say about God? This is how doubt works to push us away from God
All sin has consequences, some that will even impact your eternity. Remember, there is a difference between what feels good and what the world accepts and what God says is right and wrong.
"The jerk factor"
We all know at least one. They seem to invade our space in one way or another too often.
Yes, people can be jerks—and that can be super frustrating. We are called to be peace-makers (Romans 12:17-18), but it's hard to do when one or more people in our lives just don't want to play nicely. What can a Christian do in this situation?
Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to MAKE anyone respect us to treat us in any certain way. People are responsible for their own words and actions, and there's nothing we can do to control them. However, what we CAN control is how we treat others. And Jesus gave us some really good advice for that in John 15:12, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." And then in Luke 6:31, "And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."
I know it's hard to be loving toward someone who is disrespecting you, but the Bible gives us some more advice in that area too: "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles" (Proverbs 24:17). Also Jesus tells us to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Nope, it's not easy, but if we believe what Jesus says is true, then this must be the best way.
Good Fruit for Bad Apples
As a Christian, we have the Holy Spirit to help guide us in how we act toward others. Everyone receives the Holy Spirit the moment he or she believes in Jesus Christ as the Savior (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14). By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can show what's called the "fruits of the Spirit", which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
When it comes to how the fruits of the Spirit are acted out in real life, then you can imagine that being kind, joyful, good, etc. will translate into caring about others' feelings, respecting their personal space, and doing (very likely) the things that you wish done unto you. We should do these things regardless of whether or not we think the person deserves it. Judging others is God's job—not ours (Matthew 7:1-5).
Sometimes our sinful natures (Galatians 5:19-21) make it difficult to produce the good fruit—especially if another person is provoking us. But the way we act toward others reflects our true nature. What we want to do is give control of our actions to the Holy Spirit because He has the good fruit that reflects HIS nature (2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 4:13).
A Christian will never be able to perfectly and always display the fruits of the Holy Spirit, but it should be our goal to always AIM for perfection by treating others kindly, respectfully, and lovingly—basically the way we would want to be treated. And who knows? Maybe your good behavior will rub off on the jerks in your life. ;-)
"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you." —Proverbs 25:21-22
Bottom line:
Even though some people may not deserve it, we should always aim for treating others with the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles" (Proverbs 24:17). Also Jesus tells us to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Nope, it's not easy, but if we believe what Jesus says is true, then this must be the best way.
We all know at least one. They seem to invade our space in one way or another too often.
Yes, people can be jerks—and that can be super frustrating. We are called to be peace-makers (Romans 12:17-18), but it's hard to do when one or more people in our lives just don't want to play nicely. What can a Christian do in this situation?
Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to MAKE anyone respect us to treat us in any certain way. People are responsible for their own words and actions, and there's nothing we can do to control them. However, what we CAN control is how we treat others. And Jesus gave us some really good advice for that in John 15:12, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." And then in Luke 6:31, "And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."
I know it's hard to be loving toward someone who is disrespecting you, but the Bible gives us some more advice in that area too: "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles" (Proverbs 24:17). Also Jesus tells us to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Nope, it's not easy, but if we believe what Jesus says is true, then this must be the best way.
Good Fruit for Bad Apples
As a Christian, we have the Holy Spirit to help guide us in how we act toward others. Everyone receives the Holy Spirit the moment he or she believes in Jesus Christ as the Savior (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14). By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can show what's called the "fruits of the Spirit", which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
When it comes to how the fruits of the Spirit are acted out in real life, then you can imagine that being kind, joyful, good, etc. will translate into caring about others' feelings, respecting their personal space, and doing (very likely) the things that you wish done unto you. We should do these things regardless of whether or not we think the person deserves it. Judging others is God's job—not ours (Matthew 7:1-5).
Sometimes our sinful natures (Galatians 5:19-21) make it difficult to produce the good fruit—especially if another person is provoking us. But the way we act toward others reflects our true nature. What we want to do is give control of our actions to the Holy Spirit because He has the good fruit that reflects HIS nature (2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 4:13).
A Christian will never be able to perfectly and always display the fruits of the Holy Spirit, but it should be our goal to always AIM for perfection by treating others kindly, respectfully, and lovingly—basically the way we would want to be treated. And who knows? Maybe your good behavior will rub off on the jerks in your life. ;-)
"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you." —Proverbs 25:21-22
Bottom line:
Even though some people may not deserve it, we should always aim for treating others with the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles" (Proverbs 24:17). Also Jesus tells us to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Nope, it's not easy, but if we believe what Jesus says is true, then this must be the best way.
Perfect? NOT!
You’ve probably already figured out that no one is perfect and no one ever has been – except for Jesus.
There are people today that shy away from giving their life to Christ or even darkening the door of a church because they think they have to be perfect. Please don’t be one of them.
What Jesus said in Matthew 5:48 used to really worry me: "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." What? Doesn't that contradict what we know to be true about ourselves—that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)? Matthew 5:48 is one of those verses that is easy to get a little depressed about. But let's dive a little deeper and find out what "perfect" really means.
Perfectionism, as you know it, is a lie.
There is absolutely no way we can ever truly be perfect on this earth. Many of us try to feed our perfectionist desire for perfectionism like it's a needy little creature in living in our fridges, but there is zero probability of attaining perfection in this world. ZERO. Disappointing? Maybe. I personally find it a little freeing. Now the pressure for acceptance through perfection is off. Now the stress, frustration, and discontent of NOT being perfect is no longer a worry.
Perfectionism demands that we raise the bar way over our heads, making us struggle to attain something that only God can.
The whole point of Jesus coming to save us is because God knew we could never save ourselves. You and I both know that we'll never measure up to the perfect life Jesus lived on this earth. No human being can, because we're born sinners. But that's okay! Sinners need a Savior, and we've got one!
When we choose to believe in salvation from sin through Jesus Christ, God forgives us immediately for all our imperfections, all our sins—past, present, and future. This frees us so we can stop reaching for the impossible bar that we placed above our heads, resting in the knowledge that Jesus was and is the Perfect One (Matthew 11:28), and He's standing in our place, vouching for us to the Father.
Perfectionism is not needed.
Many have tried and failed in their toil to reach perfection. Maybe you're one of those. I know I am. In the Bible, we can read a story about a pair of sisters named Martha and Mary. Martha was "worried and upset about many things," spending her time rushing about the house to make it perfect and worthy for Jesus' visit. She wanted things to be just right—to be perfect, but her sister wasn't lifting a finger to help. (See Luke 10:38-42.)
Imagine her frustrations when Martha was working so hard to serve everyone while Mary just sat there on the floor next to Jesus, listening to Him speak. Martha must have been furious! When she'd reached the end of her rope, she tried to get Mary in trouble by telling Jesus, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me" (v. 40). But Jesus didn't give her the answer she wanted. Instead, He lovingly corrected her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her" (v. 41-42).
Martha had set her "perfect hostess" bar way too high, then she was frustrated because she couldn't meet it. Sound familiar? In the midst of her frustrations and anxieties, Jesus reminds her that He has a different standard for her to meet—one where she finds peace and rest with Him. Later on, Jesus would invite others into the same freedom, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
The Meaning of Matthew 5:48
"You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." —Matthew 5:48
Yes, the Bible calls us to be "perfect," as it says in this verse, but what exactly does it mean by "perfect"? The Greek word for "perfect" here is telios, which means "brought to its end, completed, or perfect." Ah! So this is not "perfect" in the way we normally interpret "perfection". Instead, it means that we are to be COMPLETE in Christ.
Philippians 1:6 says, "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Completion is something that only God can do. He made us, saved us, and promises to perfect us. You are in the process of that perfection right now, but we will not be "done" until we reach Heaven. That's all right though. This life is an adventure in all its imperfections. ☺
Don't worry about appearing perfect to the people around you. That's putting the opinions and approval of man over that of God's. God is the one working with you and through you. He's your Father, your boss, your co-laborer, and your biggest advocate. Aim your heart toward pleasing Him, and you'll be on the right track.
Don't get lazy though...
Now, just because we don't need to be perfect, that doesn't give us clearance to be lazy. We still have a responsibility to grow in our faith, glorify God with our lives, and continue to fight against sinful tendencies (2 Peter 3:18). We can't merely be bystanders, letting God do all the work. We have to be willing participants in this perfection project, working hard toward the goal of changing into better humans (Philippians 2:12).
Is it hard work? Sure, it can be. But we have an outstanding Helper on call (John 14:26), a Comforter and Encourager (John 8:12; John 10:10), and a God who will orchestrate time and space to help you turn away from your sin and back toward Him (1 Corinthians 10:13). With that kind of team, there's nothing you can't do.
You’ve probably already figured out that no one is perfect and no one ever has been – except for Jesus.
There are people today that shy away from giving their life to Christ or even darkening the door of a church because they think they have to be perfect. Please don’t be one of them.
What Jesus said in Matthew 5:48 used to really worry me: "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." What? Doesn't that contradict what we know to be true about ourselves—that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)? Matthew 5:48 is one of those verses that is easy to get a little depressed about. But let's dive a little deeper and find out what "perfect" really means.
Perfectionism, as you know it, is a lie.
There is absolutely no way we can ever truly be perfect on this earth. Many of us try to feed our perfectionist desire for perfectionism like it's a needy little creature in living in our fridges, but there is zero probability of attaining perfection in this world. ZERO. Disappointing? Maybe. I personally find it a little freeing. Now the pressure for acceptance through perfection is off. Now the stress, frustration, and discontent of NOT being perfect is no longer a worry.
Perfectionism demands that we raise the bar way over our heads, making us struggle to attain something that only God can.
The whole point of Jesus coming to save us is because God knew we could never save ourselves. You and I both know that we'll never measure up to the perfect life Jesus lived on this earth. No human being can, because we're born sinners. But that's okay! Sinners need a Savior, and we've got one!
When we choose to believe in salvation from sin through Jesus Christ, God forgives us immediately for all our imperfections, all our sins—past, present, and future. This frees us so we can stop reaching for the impossible bar that we placed above our heads, resting in the knowledge that Jesus was and is the Perfect One (Matthew 11:28), and He's standing in our place, vouching for us to the Father.
Perfectionism is not needed.
Many have tried and failed in their toil to reach perfection. Maybe you're one of those. I know I am. In the Bible, we can read a story about a pair of sisters named Martha and Mary. Martha was "worried and upset about many things," spending her time rushing about the house to make it perfect and worthy for Jesus' visit. She wanted things to be just right—to be perfect, but her sister wasn't lifting a finger to help. (See Luke 10:38-42.)
Imagine her frustrations when Martha was working so hard to serve everyone while Mary just sat there on the floor next to Jesus, listening to Him speak. Martha must have been furious! When she'd reached the end of her rope, she tried to get Mary in trouble by telling Jesus, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me" (v. 40). But Jesus didn't give her the answer she wanted. Instead, He lovingly corrected her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her" (v. 41-42).
Martha had set her "perfect hostess" bar way too high, then she was frustrated because she couldn't meet it. Sound familiar? In the midst of her frustrations and anxieties, Jesus reminds her that He has a different standard for her to meet—one where she finds peace and rest with Him. Later on, Jesus would invite others into the same freedom, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
The Meaning of Matthew 5:48
"You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." —Matthew 5:48
Yes, the Bible calls us to be "perfect," as it says in this verse, but what exactly does it mean by "perfect"? The Greek word for "perfect" here is telios, which means "brought to its end, completed, or perfect." Ah! So this is not "perfect" in the way we normally interpret "perfection". Instead, it means that we are to be COMPLETE in Christ.
Philippians 1:6 says, "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Completion is something that only God can do. He made us, saved us, and promises to perfect us. You are in the process of that perfection right now, but we will not be "done" until we reach Heaven. That's all right though. This life is an adventure in all its imperfections. ☺
Don't worry about appearing perfect to the people around you. That's putting the opinions and approval of man over that of God's. God is the one working with you and through you. He's your Father, your boss, your co-laborer, and your biggest advocate. Aim your heart toward pleasing Him, and you'll be on the right track.
Don't get lazy though...
Now, just because we don't need to be perfect, that doesn't give us clearance to be lazy. We still have a responsibility to grow in our faith, glorify God with our lives, and continue to fight against sinful tendencies (2 Peter 3:18). We can't merely be bystanders, letting God do all the work. We have to be willing participants in this perfection project, working hard toward the goal of changing into better humans (Philippians 2:12).
Is it hard work? Sure, it can be. But we have an outstanding Helper on call (John 14:26), a Comforter and Encourager (John 8:12; John 10:10), and a God who will orchestrate time and space to help you turn away from your sin and back toward Him (1 Corinthians 10:13). With that kind of team, there's nothing you can't do.
The race
Recently, we watched our son Matt complete a 50 km (31 mile) ultra-marathon in the Rocky Mountains. Months before, Matt ran other marathons, and went through a grueling training regiment running over 80 km a week. He was on a strict diet of protein and carbs in order to be ready for his big event. It was a huge process of discipline with Sara his coach encouraging him all the way. His goal is to run in the Boston Marathon in 2017.
As proud parents, we watched him cross the finish line in just over 5.5 hours and a passage of scripture came to my mind.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Whether we realize it or not, you and I are in a race. It is a race not only for our lives but for our eternity. The Christian race is one that takes courage, training and self-discipline. It means going against the flow of the world and tossing aside anything that weighs us down from running full on. Running the race is about denying ourselves and following after God even though it may be the unpopular thing to do. It’s about following in obedience to the standards God lays out in His Word and honoring Him in everything we say, do, or every decision we make.
It’s about saying no to the world and living with a focus on the eternal – the finish line and what really matters. It’s a race not fueled by Gatorade but by the empowering of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
How are you doing in your race today? My prayer is to see you at the finish line!
Pastor Glenn
Recently, we watched our son Matt complete a 50 km (31 mile) ultra-marathon in the Rocky Mountains. Months before, Matt ran other marathons, and went through a grueling training regiment running over 80 km a week. He was on a strict diet of protein and carbs in order to be ready for his big event. It was a huge process of discipline with Sara his coach encouraging him all the way. His goal is to run in the Boston Marathon in 2017.
As proud parents, we watched him cross the finish line in just over 5.5 hours and a passage of scripture came to my mind.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Whether we realize it or not, you and I are in a race. It is a race not only for our lives but for our eternity. The Christian race is one that takes courage, training and self-discipline. It means going against the flow of the world and tossing aside anything that weighs us down from running full on. Running the race is about denying ourselves and following after God even though it may be the unpopular thing to do. It’s about following in obedience to the standards God lays out in His Word and honoring Him in everything we say, do, or every decision we make.
It’s about saying no to the world and living with a focus on the eternal – the finish line and what really matters. It’s a race not fueled by Gatorade but by the empowering of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
How are you doing in your race today? My prayer is to see you at the finish line!
Pastor Glenn
Before school ....... take time
No matter how old you are, or whether you go to school, college or are
working, starting the day with prayer is always a great idea. David talked about
praying in the morning in Psalm 4 when he wrote:
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my
requests before you and wait expectantly.
With that in mind, here are three things you may want to consider praying
about before you go to school each day. You can pray these things in just a
couple of minutes, and they will help you focus on living each day for the glory
of God.
1. Give thanks
Think about your life and all the good things God has given you. Thank Him
for these things.
Thank God that you are able to go to school to learn and grow as a person.
With almost 60 million children around the world who don't have access to
education, give thanks that you do.
Thank God for Jesus and for his death and resurrection that mean you are
forgiven and have eternal life (it helps put small school problems into
perspective!)
2. Pray for yourself
Ask God to help you be a shining light for Him in your school today.
Ask Him for strength to do the right thing and to live in a way that pleases
Him.
Ask Him to help you treat teachers and other students with love and
respect.
3. Pray for someone else
Think of someone, a friend, enemy or someone you don't yet know very well
and ask that they will come to know Jesus.
If you find someone difficult to deal with at school, pray that you will have
patience with them & be able to love them.
If you know someone going through a difficult time, pray that you can get
alongside them and show them God's love in action.
Pray that God will give you an opportunity to share what you believe with
someone today.
No matter how old you are, or whether you go to school, college or are
working, starting the day with prayer is always a great idea. David talked about
praying in the morning in Psalm 4 when he wrote:
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my
requests before you and wait expectantly.
With that in mind, here are three things you may want to consider praying
about before you go to school each day. You can pray these things in just a
couple of minutes, and they will help you focus on living each day for the glory
of God.
1. Give thanks
Think about your life and all the good things God has given you. Thank Him
for these things.
Thank God that you are able to go to school to learn and grow as a person.
With almost 60 million children around the world who don't have access to
education, give thanks that you do.
Thank God for Jesus and for his death and resurrection that mean you are
forgiven and have eternal life (it helps put small school problems into
perspective!)
2. Pray for yourself
Ask God to help you be a shining light for Him in your school today.
Ask Him for strength to do the right thing and to live in a way that pleases
Him.
Ask Him to help you treat teachers and other students with love and
respect.
3. Pray for someone else
Think of someone, a friend, enemy or someone you don't yet know very well
and ask that they will come to know Jesus.
If you find someone difficult to deal with at school, pray that you will have
patience with them & be able to love them.
If you know someone going through a difficult time, pray that you can get
alongside them and show them God's love in action.
Pray that God will give you an opportunity to share what you believe with
someone today.
Your power of choice
Joshua 24: 15
But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Every day, we are faced with choices to make. Some choices are small, as in - Big Mac vs. cheese burger vs salad. Other choices we make are huge and so are the consequences of that choice. But we make choices all the time, sometimes almost unconsciously. Either way, sometimes it all gets pretty confusing and blurred doesn’t it?
Sadly, for a lot of people today, they make choices based on what feels good at the time or on what everybody else seems to be doing. Why? Because it’s easy to morph into the “whatever mode” and just go with the flow. Others are pressured into making choices because they want to fit in or be accepted.
There’s something that a lot of teens today fail to grasp (and I was one of them) and it is this; your choices matter. They have real impact with very real consequences. Sometimes consequences are short term and others are long term.
Guys, it’s reality check time. Some of the choices you make right now will impact your eternity. That’s right – eternal consequences. Each one of us will one day stand before God and the only thing that will matter is the eternal choices we’ve made.
In this passage of scripture above, this great hero of the Bible was faced with a huge choice. In short, was he going to go with what was popular and accepted or take a real stand for what went against the flow? He made the right choice – he went against the flow and took a solid stand to serve God.
What about you today? Are you influenced by the world and all it says it can offer you? Are you just going with the flow? Or have you resolved in your heart to tune out the world and the popular route in order to serve God and make Him priority one?
Today is your day and now is your time to make your choice. My prayer is that you will make the choice Joshua did and your response will be “I choose to serve the Lord”.
- Pastor Glenn
Joshua 24: 15
But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Every day, we are faced with choices to make. Some choices are small, as in - Big Mac vs. cheese burger vs salad. Other choices we make are huge and so are the consequences of that choice. But we make choices all the time, sometimes almost unconsciously. Either way, sometimes it all gets pretty confusing and blurred doesn’t it?
Sadly, for a lot of people today, they make choices based on what feels good at the time or on what everybody else seems to be doing. Why? Because it’s easy to morph into the “whatever mode” and just go with the flow. Others are pressured into making choices because they want to fit in or be accepted.
There’s something that a lot of teens today fail to grasp (and I was one of them) and it is this; your choices matter. They have real impact with very real consequences. Sometimes consequences are short term and others are long term.
Guys, it’s reality check time. Some of the choices you make right now will impact your eternity. That’s right – eternal consequences. Each one of us will one day stand before God and the only thing that will matter is the eternal choices we’ve made.
In this passage of scripture above, this great hero of the Bible was faced with a huge choice. In short, was he going to go with what was popular and accepted or take a real stand for what went against the flow? He made the right choice – he went against the flow and took a solid stand to serve God.
What about you today? Are you influenced by the world and all it says it can offer you? Are you just going with the flow? Or have you resolved in your heart to tune out the world and the popular route in order to serve God and make Him priority one?
Today is your day and now is your time to make your choice. My prayer is that you will make the choice Joshua did and your response will be “I choose to serve the Lord”.
- Pastor Glenn
The Guilt Trip
" I’ve messed up so bad. I failed everybody including myself and even God. Can God forgive me for _________?" Yes, yes, and yes. Whatever sin you can enter into that blank, the answer is this: Yes, God will forgive you. You may think your sin is so horrible that God could never forgive you, but it doesn't matter how big or small it is. God's forgiveness never runs out. Remember when they murdered Jesus on the cross? And yet He still said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
First John 1:8-9 says, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
When Jesus paid for our sins, He paid for all of them—past, present, and future. There is nothing you can do that He would have forgotten to cover or wouldn't want to cover. He paid the price for the entire human race and all our wickedness (Isaiah 53:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Salvation → Forgiveness
Salvation and forgiveness are linked. If you have received that salvation, which is forgiveness of sin, then you are fully forgiven of your whole debt of sin. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
If you have not received Christ as your Savior, then what are you waiting for? Tell Jesus that you believe He is Lord, and confess your sins so you can be forgiven!
This is both the hard part, and the best part. This forgiveness of sins is entirely through God's grace, and not our works. There is nothing you can do to earn forgiveness (Romans 3:20-22). Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Rest in that knowledge—that you do not need to work for salvation and forgiveness.
I may be forgiven, but I still feel guilty...
It's true. Even though you know you are forgiven, you may still feel guilt over your sin. Guilt will still hang around with us if we don't forgive ourselves. But sometimes feeling a little guilty is not necessarily a bad thing.
Guilt is a natural response from our conscience to remind us not to repeat those sins. Confess your sins and know that you are forgiven by God. Then remember to forgive yourself too, because the past is in the past and cannot be changed, but you still have control over what you do today and tomorrow.
God loves you. This is such a simple sentence but so mindblowingly amazing. And through that love, He gave His Son to pay the debt we owed because of our sins. And now we have this beautiful gift of forgiveness.
It is only selfish pride that would fight that gift. Only pride would say, "My sin was too much for Jesus to forgive." But 2 Corinthians 12:9 says that Christ is sufficient: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
" I’ve messed up so bad. I failed everybody including myself and even God. Can God forgive me for _________?" Yes, yes, and yes. Whatever sin you can enter into that blank, the answer is this: Yes, God will forgive you. You may think your sin is so horrible that God could never forgive you, but it doesn't matter how big or small it is. God's forgiveness never runs out. Remember when they murdered Jesus on the cross? And yet He still said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
First John 1:8-9 says, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
When Jesus paid for our sins, He paid for all of them—past, present, and future. There is nothing you can do that He would have forgotten to cover or wouldn't want to cover. He paid the price for the entire human race and all our wickedness (Isaiah 53:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Salvation → Forgiveness
Salvation and forgiveness are linked. If you have received that salvation, which is forgiveness of sin, then you are fully forgiven of your whole debt of sin. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
If you have not received Christ as your Savior, then what are you waiting for? Tell Jesus that you believe He is Lord, and confess your sins so you can be forgiven!
This is both the hard part, and the best part. This forgiveness of sins is entirely through God's grace, and not our works. There is nothing you can do to earn forgiveness (Romans 3:20-22). Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Rest in that knowledge—that you do not need to work for salvation and forgiveness.
I may be forgiven, but I still feel guilty...
It's true. Even though you know you are forgiven, you may still feel guilt over your sin. Guilt will still hang around with us if we don't forgive ourselves. But sometimes feeling a little guilty is not necessarily a bad thing.
Guilt is a natural response from our conscience to remind us not to repeat those sins. Confess your sins and know that you are forgiven by God. Then remember to forgive yourself too, because the past is in the past and cannot be changed, but you still have control over what you do today and tomorrow.
God loves you. This is such a simple sentence but so mindblowingly amazing. And through that love, He gave His Son to pay the debt we owed because of our sins. And now we have this beautiful gift of forgiveness.
It is only selfish pride that would fight that gift. Only pride would say, "My sin was too much for Jesus to forgive." But 2 Corinthians 12:9 says that Christ is sufficient: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Why wait ?
This is a hard question for a lot of us today. With all the sex-based ads and sex promotions telling us that that sex is the best way to show our significant others love, we miss out on what God created sex to be: a way of bonding a husband and wife in marital love (Matthew 19:5; Mark 10:7). (Not to mention that it's also a method of procreation, awkward as that sounds.)
Sex, no matter who it is with, is a special relationship between two people, making them "one body." The apostle Paul talks about how even a man who has sex with a prostitute has become "one body" (1 Corinthians 6:15-16). There is a level of vulnerability in any sexual relationship, and you should fully trust the other person before making yourself that vulnerable. That is why the Bible instructs that we should only have sex in the context of a committed, trusting, marital union.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 7:2 that if you cannot control the temptation to have sex outside of marriage, then you should be married to the one you love, then you may both fulfill your passions in a moral way. After all, God has lordship over our bodies and our souls, and we must respect that (1 Corinthians 6:12-20).
Sex and Marriage
Marriage is, at its very essence, a way to worship God. When two people are married, they become one body, functioning together to give glory to God. Ephesians 5:21 talks about the metaphorical nature of "becoming one," but also the literal, physical act of two bodies joining during sex. The couple also "becomes one" when they create a child. This is very literally two persons genetically making one body (or more in the case of a multiple births).
Just because a couple has the intention of getting married, that doesn't mean they get the green light for sex before their wedding night. Premarital sex shows an impatience and disrespect to oneself and his or her spouse-to-be. They'll lose the special nature of how God designed martial sex to be. To tell your prospective husband or wife that they're worth waiting for will actually strengthen your relationship and act as a profession of your commitment to that person.
A Story of Premarital Sex
Someone I know very well was in this situation. She had dated someone for three years, and she thought that he was "the one." One night, she and her boyfriend had sex. At the time, neither of them thought it would matter. Both of them were ready, and they both wanted to get married someday when they were a little more financially stable.
However, time went on, and their lives led them in different directions. He ended up leaving her, and she was heartbroken. She felt like she had given him everything, yet somehow it wasn't worth enough to make him stay and work things out. In turn, this made her feel worthless, broken, and used.
I won't say that this happens in every story. I don't know everyone's story. But I do know that, emotionally, sex creates a vulnerability that you cannot get from any other kind of relationship. God is trying to protect us by telling us to marry the partner that we want to have sex with. He wants us to live fulfilled and joyful lives, but if we are having sex outside of marriage, that IS very likely going to have a huge effect on our lives and our relationship with God.
If premarital sex is so bad, why does my body want it?
It is often really hard to control ourselves physically when it comes to feelings of sexual pleasure. Maybe you know that premarital sex is not a good choice, but you just can't help it. Why is it that our bodies rebel against our minds when it comes to sexual purity? Matthew 26:41 says that "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Simply put, God created sex to be pleasurable, that's why our bodies desire it and all the sensations that come with it. But sex was created to be enjoyed only in the context of marriage between a husband and wife. (See 1 Corinthians 6:9, 13 and 2 Timothy 2:22.)
Biologically, sex makes our bodies release hormones that are not released in any other situation. Once you begin having sex with someone, your brain begins to create markers that associate these hormones with that person. This is one of the strongest bonds to an outside force that the human brain ever creates. Every time a person has sex, they leave a part of themselves with their partner.
Breaking up with a person you have had sex with will hurt exponentially more because of the fact that you have been at your most vulnerable with them, yet the relationship still failed. Then there are the biological challenges that your brain must resolve because the good feelings have gone away with that person. Sex within a godly marriage removes the risk of loss and pain due to a break up.
God created marriage to last. The Bible tells us that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Through the act of martial sex, a couple creates that lasting bond emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Safe sex isn't always "safe"
No matter how confident you are in your birth control methods, there is ALWAYS a chance of contracting an STD (sexually-transmitted disease) or even creating a child. Condoms and pills and such don't always work. Things break, medications don't do their job. But some things are much longer lasting than those fleeting moments of sexual pleasure.
If you and your partner are not completely ready to bring a child into the world, then sex is very risky. Creating a child should be a beautiful, welcome, God-honoring action—not the reason for a shotgun wedding, the unthinkable consideration of an abortion, or just a pair of unmarried teenagers who are faced with something they should never have to deal with at that age.
Can I be forgiven for having premarital sex?
When a Christian has premarital sex, or when one who has lost their virginity comes to Christ, the Holy Spirit convicts that person of their sin. They will grieve over it, and hopefully repent from that behavior. However, remember that there is no sin too great that God will not forgive it. If you confess, God will forgive you, cleanse you from "all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9), and restore you (Joel 2:25) as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:10).
God does not make rules just so we have rules to follow. God desperately, passionately loves us, and He gave us the Bible to help guide us into having creative, beautiful, productive lives. He doesn't want to make us do things just for the sake of doing them; God honestly knows what is good for each and every one of us individually. He knows what will destroy us emotionally, physically and spiritually both short term and long term.
When He tells us not to have sex outside of marriage, He isn't saying it to make you miss out on the enjoyment of sex. He says it because He knows your heart, your biological makeup, and that sex outside of marriage is not what is best for anyone in any sense. Trust that the God who created you—and loves you enough that He even knows the number of hairs on your head—knows what is best for you.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." —Isaiah 55:8-9
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." —Proverbs 3:5-6
“The measure up”
Do you ever try your best, go full on but it seems that you just don’t measure up and you just want to give up - especially when it comes to your walk with God? Let me first encourage you that you are not alone in feeling like you are not good enough for God. Many people, of ALL ages, struggle with this feeling. It is hard to see any good in ourselves sometimes, especially because we know who we really are deep down—not the face we put on for others, but the dead, rotted soul that sin has made us inside. Truly, Romans 3:23 confirms that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And God, who is all-knowing, is quite familiar with that deep-down you too (Jeremiah 17:10).
I can't tell you why you (specifically) as a person feel this way. We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we all have done things that we might feel are unforgivable sins. But I would like to help you see yourself the way God sees you, and I hope that this will give you a new perspective about why you are perfectly acceptable in God's eyes.
Let's go all the way back to when you were still in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13-14 tells us that God wove you together, making you who you are, that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made," and we know that all things God creates are wonderful things. That goes for YOU, His special creation as well!
But then we have that still-true verse from Romans 3:23, and we know that we are stained with sin. From the moment of our birth, there is no way we can NOT sin; it's in our nature as human beings (Ephesians 2:3; 1 John 1:8; Romans 5:12). We can even look at Jeremiah 17:9, which says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"
If we are so terrible, how can we ever NOT be?
There is only one way: Jesus Christ.
That famous verse John 3:16 sometimes goes over our heads because we hear it so many times, but read it again with new eyes: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The Almighty Creator of the Universe loved YOU, a tiny speck of sand in the midst of the cosmos, SO MUCH that He sacrificed the life of His only Son, Jesus—from whom He had never been separated in all eternity—so that He, the Creator of everything, could be with YOU. Wow. You're pretty special. ☺
While Jesus was on earth, He told us, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). God the Father promised that we would have eternal life by believing in Jesus Christ, and He always keeps His promises (2 Peter 3:9). No matter how "bad" you are or how much you throw a tantrum about wanting your way, God will always take you in and take you back when you have run away from Him.
Even though the struggle against sin is real, 1 John 1:7 encourages us with this hope: "If we walk in the light, as [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." Did you catch that? Your sin will be CLEANED OFF!
Your faith in Jesus Christ is what makes you "good enough" for God—not anything you can do (Ephesians 2:8-9). Because, let's be honest, none of us can do any works "good enough" to erase all the sins we have ever committed in our lifetimes. No one is that good.
Listen: You ARE acceptable to God.
Do not be weighed down by self-judgment and concern as to your ability to make God accept you. You can't make Him love you more. The Creator of the Universe already loves you enough to sacrifice everything in order to be with you. He's loved you since the beginning of time, when He planned for your existence. As Jesus tells us in John 14:1, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me."
Do you ever try your best, go full on but it seems that you just don’t measure up and you just want to give up - especially when it comes to your walk with God? Let me first encourage you that you are not alone in feeling like you are not good enough for God. Many people, of ALL ages, struggle with this feeling. It is hard to see any good in ourselves sometimes, especially because we know who we really are deep down—not the face we put on for others, but the dead, rotted soul that sin has made us inside. Truly, Romans 3:23 confirms that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And God, who is all-knowing, is quite familiar with that deep-down you too (Jeremiah 17:10).
I can't tell you why you (specifically) as a person feel this way. We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we all have done things that we might feel are unforgivable sins. But I would like to help you see yourself the way God sees you, and I hope that this will give you a new perspective about why you are perfectly acceptable in God's eyes.
Let's go all the way back to when you were still in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13-14 tells us that God wove you together, making you who you are, that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made," and we know that all things God creates are wonderful things. That goes for YOU, His special creation as well!
But then we have that still-true verse from Romans 3:23, and we know that we are stained with sin. From the moment of our birth, there is no way we can NOT sin; it's in our nature as human beings (Ephesians 2:3; 1 John 1:8; Romans 5:12). We can even look at Jeremiah 17:9, which says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"
If we are so terrible, how can we ever NOT be?
There is only one way: Jesus Christ.
That famous verse John 3:16 sometimes goes over our heads because we hear it so many times, but read it again with new eyes: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The Almighty Creator of the Universe loved YOU, a tiny speck of sand in the midst of the cosmos, SO MUCH that He sacrificed the life of His only Son, Jesus—from whom He had never been separated in all eternity—so that He, the Creator of everything, could be with YOU. Wow. You're pretty special. ☺
While Jesus was on earth, He told us, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). God the Father promised that we would have eternal life by believing in Jesus Christ, and He always keeps His promises (2 Peter 3:9). No matter how "bad" you are or how much you throw a tantrum about wanting your way, God will always take you in and take you back when you have run away from Him.
Even though the struggle against sin is real, 1 John 1:7 encourages us with this hope: "If we walk in the light, as [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." Did you catch that? Your sin will be CLEANED OFF!
Your faith in Jesus Christ is what makes you "good enough" for God—not anything you can do (Ephesians 2:8-9). Because, let's be honest, none of us can do any works "good enough" to erase all the sins we have ever committed in our lifetimes. No one is that good.
Listen: You ARE acceptable to God.
Do not be weighed down by self-judgment and concern as to your ability to make God accept you. You can't make Him love you more. The Creator of the Universe already loves you enough to sacrifice everything in order to be with you. He's loved you since the beginning of time, when He planned for your existence. As Jesus tells us in John 14:1, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me."
Some People Claim to be Christians but…….
Anyone who has a tongue in their head and can speak English can say “ yeah I’m a Christian” . I’ve sat with many people who have prayed and made a profession of personal faith in Christ but no sooner did they “pray that prayer” than it’s like ….. "game on now I can live any way I please".
Sadly there’s a lot of people today who have profession but no real possession
How would people live if they have truly surrendered their lives to Jesus?
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
1 John 3:9
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
One night one of my team ministry participants asked me: “These people who claim to be saved yet live a life filled with sin, are they really saved?”
I replied: “Only God will decide who will and will not enter into heaven for eternity. The one thing I do know though is that if Jesus comes into our lives, then Jesus should be flowing through us and coming out of our lives.” Being a genuine Born Again Christian doesn't make you perfect but ...
Bottom line:
When a person gives their life to Christ there has to be an outer evidence of an inner transformation.
Anyone who has a tongue in their head and can speak English can say “ yeah I’m a Christian” . I’ve sat with many people who have prayed and made a profession of personal faith in Christ but no sooner did they “pray that prayer” than it’s like ….. "game on now I can live any way I please".
Sadly there’s a lot of people today who have profession but no real possession
How would people live if they have truly surrendered their lives to Jesus?
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
1 John 3:9
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
One night one of my team ministry participants asked me: “These people who claim to be saved yet live a life filled with sin, are they really saved?”
I replied: “Only God will decide who will and will not enter into heaven for eternity. The one thing I do know though is that if Jesus comes into our lives, then Jesus should be flowing through us and coming out of our lives.” Being a genuine Born Again Christian doesn't make you perfect but ...
Bottom line:
When a person gives their life to Christ there has to be an outer evidence of an inner transformation.
Sexting kills
Sexting is the new curse on naive teens worldwide. Girls especially may have their reputations permanently destroyed through sexting. The nude photos they take of themselves with their mobile phone cameras and unsuspectingly send to impress their boyfriends have a nasty habit of turning up anywhere after that. Once an image is sent, it can never be retrieved – control of it is lost.
In a widely publicized case, 18-year-old Jessica Logan of Ohio sent a sext message (nude photo of herself) via her cell phone to her boyfriend. When they broke up the boyfriend sent the photo to other school students who knew Jesse. And some sent it on to others.
Soon these students started taunting Jesse. They called her horrible and degrading names every time they saw her. She sank into depression, and became afraid to go to school.
The experience of being mercilessly bullied was so horrible for Jesse that she went on television to warn other teens never to get involved in sexting. Two months later, Jessica hanged herself. Her mother found her hanging in her room with her cell phone lying in the middle of the floor.
Surveys of teens revealed the shocking statistic that around 20% of teens — one in 5 — had been involved in sexting. This shows an extraordinary ignorance among teens of the consequences of such risk-taking.
As soon as that photo or video goes from your mobile phone there is no way of knowing where it will end up. Some end up on the internet, with the unsuspecting girl suddenly being part of a disgusting porn site or sleazy joke site that may haunt the girl forever, and destroy her career prospects. Photos can stay online indefinitely. People have lost job and even college opportunities because of pictures and comments that have appeared on social media pages
Many, like Jessica Logan's photo, are circulated without the subject's knowledge to a wider and less-caring audience. Some gullible kids think it is hilarious to see a girl they know in a naked photo, so they make fun of the girl and subject her to relentless taunts and bullying.
In 2008, an 18-year-old teen from Florida began serving five years' probation and had to register as a sex offender after forwarding naked photos of his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend to her friends, teachers and relatives. In April 2009, at least two students in Virginia faced child pornography charges in a sexting case. And more cases are popping up every month. Teens just don't seem to realize that what they are doing is against the law, and there will be consequences they don't want.
Mobile phones sold to teenagers should have a warning on them saying “Sexting kills”. It ruins reputations, opens them up to permanent scorn, and in extreme cases it kills.
Sexting is the new curse on naive teens worldwide. Girls especially may have their reputations permanently destroyed through sexting. The nude photos they take of themselves with their mobile phone cameras and unsuspectingly send to impress their boyfriends have a nasty habit of turning up anywhere after that. Once an image is sent, it can never be retrieved – control of it is lost.
In a widely publicized case, 18-year-old Jessica Logan of Ohio sent a sext message (nude photo of herself) via her cell phone to her boyfriend. When they broke up the boyfriend sent the photo to other school students who knew Jesse. And some sent it on to others.
Soon these students started taunting Jesse. They called her horrible and degrading names every time they saw her. She sank into depression, and became afraid to go to school.
The experience of being mercilessly bullied was so horrible for Jesse that she went on television to warn other teens never to get involved in sexting. Two months later, Jessica hanged herself. Her mother found her hanging in her room with her cell phone lying in the middle of the floor.
Surveys of teens revealed the shocking statistic that around 20% of teens — one in 5 — had been involved in sexting. This shows an extraordinary ignorance among teens of the consequences of such risk-taking.
As soon as that photo or video goes from your mobile phone there is no way of knowing where it will end up. Some end up on the internet, with the unsuspecting girl suddenly being part of a disgusting porn site or sleazy joke site that may haunt the girl forever, and destroy her career prospects. Photos can stay online indefinitely. People have lost job and even college opportunities because of pictures and comments that have appeared on social media pages
Many, like Jessica Logan's photo, are circulated without the subject's knowledge to a wider and less-caring audience. Some gullible kids think it is hilarious to see a girl they know in a naked photo, so they make fun of the girl and subject her to relentless taunts and bullying.
In 2008, an 18-year-old teen from Florida began serving five years' probation and had to register as a sex offender after forwarding naked photos of his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend to her friends, teachers and relatives. In April 2009, at least two students in Virginia faced child pornography charges in a sexting case. And more cases are popping up every month. Teens just don't seem to realize that what they are doing is against the law, and there will be consequences they don't want.
Mobile phones sold to teenagers should have a warning on them saying “Sexting kills”. It ruins reputations, opens them up to permanent scorn, and in extreme cases it kills.
Inner healing
Many people today are scarred by what life has done to them. Whether those scars are spiritual, emotional or physical, they are very real and they cut deep. If you are scarred today, please be encouraged. There is real hope and you aren’t alone.
The first thing that you want to settle, is any feelings of guilt and shame, especially any feelings that God is somehow disappointed or angry with you. When dealing with a physical wound, what is the first thing you do? Cleanse it from germs so that it can properly heal. When dealing with spiritual or emotional wounds, carrying around baggage (guilt, shame, fear, etc.) makes the healing process much more difficult. Getting yourself to the point where you know that God loves, forgives, and accepts you, is one of the foundations to receive inner healing. Knowing that God isn't angry or disappointed in you creates an atmosphere where you can freely turn your burdens over to Jesus, and trust Him to take care of them. Carrying around a burden of shame is a sure way to hinder the inner healing process because it mentally separates us from the healing work of Jesus. If we want to freely receive healing for our damaged emotions, then we need to settle it in our minds that God is not angry with us, and stand on God's Word about our sins being forgiven and washed from us by the Blood of Christ
One of the biggest keys to receive healing for damaged emotions, depends on your perception of God, and how He feels about you and your healing. You must realize that he is the source of your healing, and deliverance... and NOT your problems! Blaming God for your problems will put up an invisible wall, which will hinder His healing power from flowing into your mind and emotions. The Holy Spirit will not override our freewill, and when we blame Him, our freewill is putting our hand up in His face. It is important that our freewill allows His work and does not blame Him for the bad thing(s) that have happened to us. It is important to realize that God is for you, and not against you. He desires to see you healed and restored to wholeness even more than you do!
Open up those wounds, and give the pain to Jesus. What you want is to open up those wounds before the light (Jesus), so that they can be healed. As long as you hold them in darkness, they will never fully heal. If you had a physical wound, and it turned into an infection, and you merely put a bandaid over the wound, would that solve the problem? Of course not! You need to take that mask off, expose it to the light, and apply the healing and germ-killing light of Christ into that wound so that it can heal.
God's Word tells us to cast our cares upon Him, for He cares for us (see 1 Peter 5:7). We need to realize that Christ has taken our pain on the cross, and if we will transfer it to Him, He is waiting to heal our wounds. The Holy Spirit has shown me this very important key to inner healing: Why should we carry something that Christ has carried for us on the cross?
Many people today are scarred by what life has done to them. Whether those scars are spiritual, emotional or physical, they are very real and they cut deep. If you are scarred today, please be encouraged. There is real hope and you aren’t alone.
The first thing that you want to settle, is any feelings of guilt and shame, especially any feelings that God is somehow disappointed or angry with you. When dealing with a physical wound, what is the first thing you do? Cleanse it from germs so that it can properly heal. When dealing with spiritual or emotional wounds, carrying around baggage (guilt, shame, fear, etc.) makes the healing process much more difficult. Getting yourself to the point where you know that God loves, forgives, and accepts you, is one of the foundations to receive inner healing. Knowing that God isn't angry or disappointed in you creates an atmosphere where you can freely turn your burdens over to Jesus, and trust Him to take care of them. Carrying around a burden of shame is a sure way to hinder the inner healing process because it mentally separates us from the healing work of Jesus. If we want to freely receive healing for our damaged emotions, then we need to settle it in our minds that God is not angry with us, and stand on God's Word about our sins being forgiven and washed from us by the Blood of Christ
One of the biggest keys to receive healing for damaged emotions, depends on your perception of God, and how He feels about you and your healing. You must realize that he is the source of your healing, and deliverance... and NOT your problems! Blaming God for your problems will put up an invisible wall, which will hinder His healing power from flowing into your mind and emotions. The Holy Spirit will not override our freewill, and when we blame Him, our freewill is putting our hand up in His face. It is important that our freewill allows His work and does not blame Him for the bad thing(s) that have happened to us. It is important to realize that God is for you, and not against you. He desires to see you healed and restored to wholeness even more than you do!
Open up those wounds, and give the pain to Jesus. What you want is to open up those wounds before the light (Jesus), so that they can be healed. As long as you hold them in darkness, they will never fully heal. If you had a physical wound, and it turned into an infection, and you merely put a bandaid over the wound, would that solve the problem? Of course not! You need to take that mask off, expose it to the light, and apply the healing and germ-killing light of Christ into that wound so that it can heal.
God's Word tells us to cast our cares upon Him, for He cares for us (see 1 Peter 5:7). We need to realize that Christ has taken our pain on the cross, and if we will transfer it to Him, He is waiting to heal our wounds. The Holy Spirit has shown me this very important key to inner healing: Why should we carry something that Christ has carried for us on the cross?
“Bad day”
Have you ever had one of those days when you wish you had never even got out of bed? Everything that could go wrong – went wrong. It was just a bad day.
Bad days are the worst! Sometimes it’s just the smallest thing that can bring a bad day on. Maybe you showed up late for work and got in trouble by your boss. Perhaps, you forgot your homework. No matter what the situation is, sometimes bad days just happen. Here are a few ways you can combat the bad day blues.
Realize bad days happen for everyone. Bad days happen for every person. So don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad day. Realize that tomorrow will be a new day and you can get new perspective on the situation.
Realize that you are not facing these things alone. It can be easy to feel like you’re all alone or that no one really cares about you and your situation. The truth is God is always there for you to lean on and talk to. He gets it and understands what you’re going through.
Think on what is true. It can be really easy to focus on the bad, and the negative about your bad day. Realize though that this might not be 100% reality. The situation might seem worse to you than it really is. Don’t feel too bad about it, but rather choose to think on good things.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” – Philippians 4:8
Bad days happen to everyone. It’s important when bad days come to take time to focus on getting God’s perspective and God’s help on the situation. Many times, a situation seems worse than it actually is. By keeping God in the mix, it helps you not focus on the wrong things and draw on God’s strength and ability when facing a bad day!
The bad day check list
Don’t blame God – Bad things are bound to happen to you. This doesn’t mean that God is trying to teach you a lesson or is punishing you. So when hard times come, don’t place the blame on God. God is a good God and He wants the best for your life. James 1:17
You Are in Control of Your Attitude – You might not be able to control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude in tough times. You can choose to stay positive and have a good attitude when a bad day happens. Philippians 4:8
Do something for yourself – Sometimes when having a bad day, it helps to do something special for yourself. It might be something simple like buying yourself a candy bar or taking a long walk. Whatever it is, find something that you can do for yourself to help you unwind.
Recognize that tomorrow is coming – Your day might be bad today, but tomorrow is on its way. Sometimes, things seem better in a day or two. Time really does help in lots of different situations. Philippians 3:13
Unfortunately, bad days happen to everyone. When you’re having a bad day choose to put things into perspective and realize that your life isn’t over. You may have had a bad day, but the good news is that you’ve got God on your side. God will help see you through when you’re having a bad day.
Have you ever had one of those days when you wish you had never even got out of bed? Everything that could go wrong – went wrong. It was just a bad day.
Bad days are the worst! Sometimes it’s just the smallest thing that can bring a bad day on. Maybe you showed up late for work and got in trouble by your boss. Perhaps, you forgot your homework. No matter what the situation is, sometimes bad days just happen. Here are a few ways you can combat the bad day blues.
Realize bad days happen for everyone. Bad days happen for every person. So don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad day. Realize that tomorrow will be a new day and you can get new perspective on the situation.
Realize that you are not facing these things alone. It can be easy to feel like you’re all alone or that no one really cares about you and your situation. The truth is God is always there for you to lean on and talk to. He gets it and understands what you’re going through.
Think on what is true. It can be really easy to focus on the bad, and the negative about your bad day. Realize though that this might not be 100% reality. The situation might seem worse to you than it really is. Don’t feel too bad about it, but rather choose to think on good things.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” – Philippians 4:8
Bad days happen to everyone. It’s important when bad days come to take time to focus on getting God’s perspective and God’s help on the situation. Many times, a situation seems worse than it actually is. By keeping God in the mix, it helps you not focus on the wrong things and draw on God’s strength and ability when facing a bad day!
The bad day check list
Don’t blame God – Bad things are bound to happen to you. This doesn’t mean that God is trying to teach you a lesson or is punishing you. So when hard times come, don’t place the blame on God. God is a good God and He wants the best for your life. James 1:17
You Are in Control of Your Attitude – You might not be able to control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude in tough times. You can choose to stay positive and have a good attitude when a bad day happens. Philippians 4:8
Do something for yourself – Sometimes when having a bad day, it helps to do something special for yourself. It might be something simple like buying yourself a candy bar or taking a long walk. Whatever it is, find something that you can do for yourself to help you unwind.
Recognize that tomorrow is coming – Your day might be bad today, but tomorrow is on its way. Sometimes, things seem better in a day or two. Time really does help in lots of different situations. Philippians 3:13
Unfortunately, bad days happen to everyone. When you’re having a bad day choose to put things into perspective and realize that your life isn’t over. You may have had a bad day, but the good news is that you’ve got God on your side. God will help see you through when you’re having a bad day.
When the Word cuts
Ok, so you’ve cracked open your Bible. You’re just chillin and reading along when… WHAM!!!!
Something jumps off the page at you. What you’ve read makes you feel uncomfortable. It bothers you because it goes against your grain. You are blown off the grid and you find yourself thinking “God I don’t like this, why did you even put it in here? Your little comfort zone has just taken a hit.
If you’ve experienced this, hold up. This is a good thing that happened. The Word of God isn’t just a book and it isn’t just a collection of words from God. It’s a vehicle for communicating ideas; it is living, life transforming and dynamic as we allot it to work in us.
Because we all live in a cluttered messed up and sin infested world, we pick up a lot of trash in our lives. There’s a lot of hurt, pain, wrong motives attitudes, thoughts and ideas that attach like a magnet. Our priorities our time and even our relationships become number one often block out our purpose and passion to serve God. We start to accumulate a nasty collection of baggage and a pile of other crud that doesn’t honor God or line up with His Word. It has to go. It has to be cut away.
The Word of God is like a two edged sword. It’s like a surgeon’s scalpel. When it does its work, it reveals who we really are and what we are not. I t discerns what is really in us at the core – both good and bad. Yeah, it cuts deep but it needs to.
God didn’t put things in His Word to cramp your style but because He loves you. God knows what pushes your buttons and what separates you from Him. He knows what will take you out emotionally, physically and spiritually.
God wants you to one day spend eternity with Him but the fact is – the decisions you make for God right now determine whether or not you spend eternity with God.
Can I challenge and encourage you today to not only listen to the Word, but walk in obedience to it. Allow it to do its work, shape your life and define who you are.
Let His “love letter” embrace you
Blessings always,
Pastor Glenn
Ok, so you’ve cracked open your Bible. You’re just chillin and reading along when… WHAM!!!!
Something jumps off the page at you. What you’ve read makes you feel uncomfortable. It bothers you because it goes against your grain. You are blown off the grid and you find yourself thinking “God I don’t like this, why did you even put it in here? Your little comfort zone has just taken a hit.
If you’ve experienced this, hold up. This is a good thing that happened. The Word of God isn’t just a book and it isn’t just a collection of words from God. It’s a vehicle for communicating ideas; it is living, life transforming and dynamic as we allot it to work in us.
Because we all live in a cluttered messed up and sin infested world, we pick up a lot of trash in our lives. There’s a lot of hurt, pain, wrong motives attitudes, thoughts and ideas that attach like a magnet. Our priorities our time and even our relationships become number one often block out our purpose and passion to serve God. We start to accumulate a nasty collection of baggage and a pile of other crud that doesn’t honor God or line up with His Word. It has to go. It has to be cut away.
The Word of God is like a two edged sword. It’s like a surgeon’s scalpel. When it does its work, it reveals who we really are and what we are not. I t discerns what is really in us at the core – both good and bad. Yeah, it cuts deep but it needs to.
God didn’t put things in His Word to cramp your style but because He loves you. God knows what pushes your buttons and what separates you from Him. He knows what will take you out emotionally, physically and spiritually.
God wants you to one day spend eternity with Him but the fact is – the decisions you make for God right now determine whether or not you spend eternity with God.
Can I challenge and encourage you today to not only listen to the Word, but walk in obedience to it. Allow it to do its work, shape your life and define who you are.
Let His “love letter” embrace you
Blessings always,
Pastor Glenn
Sounds of Solitude
I have been praying for opportunities, times, and places to grow in the Lord through prayer, reflection, and meditation. Last week, I stumbled upon a beautiful spot in the road where trees surround a bench and the sounds of nature overwhelm the familiar sounds of city life. Joy abounded in that place and in my heart and I am thankful God allowed me to find a spot of solitude compared to my usual busy life. Here is a glimpse of what I was reflecting on in that moment:
Lord, it is in this moment that I savor peace, stillness, and happiness. I look up to the sky and there is beauty. The green leaves on the trees against a backdrop of blue and white sky makes me realize life is more than what we wear, what we eat, what we do, who we like, and who we try to be. Compared to the entirety and complexity of creation, life is fragile and easily wasted if we don't realize this fact. The question is how? How do we live a life worthy of more than this immediate world? If I knew the answer to this question I would share it. But, I do not know. I can only wonder, explore, and appeal to the Creator.
One thing I ask and I would seek, is to see Your beauty.
Let Your beauty be seen in me.
Let Your glory be reflected by me.
Let the way I live direct others to You.
Let my life not be wasted or devalued.
Let this be the cry of my heart!
Discover the sounds of solitude today!
I have been praying for opportunities, times, and places to grow in the Lord through prayer, reflection, and meditation. Last week, I stumbled upon a beautiful spot in the road where trees surround a bench and the sounds of nature overwhelm the familiar sounds of city life. Joy abounded in that place and in my heart and I am thankful God allowed me to find a spot of solitude compared to my usual busy life. Here is a glimpse of what I was reflecting on in that moment:
Lord, it is in this moment that I savor peace, stillness, and happiness. I look up to the sky and there is beauty. The green leaves on the trees against a backdrop of blue and white sky makes me realize life is more than what we wear, what we eat, what we do, who we like, and who we try to be. Compared to the entirety and complexity of creation, life is fragile and easily wasted if we don't realize this fact. The question is how? How do we live a life worthy of more than this immediate world? If I knew the answer to this question I would share it. But, I do not know. I can only wonder, explore, and appeal to the Creator.
One thing I ask and I would seek, is to see Your beauty.
Let Your beauty be seen in me.
Let Your glory be reflected by me.
Let the way I live direct others to You.
Let my life not be wasted or devalued.
Let this be the cry of my heart!
Discover the sounds of solitude today!
July 23, 2015
Heart Matters
What is in your ‘heart’ matters to God! The bible tells us; “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) The ‘heart’ ~ that place deep within your being that is the center of who you are. This is where you connect with God, and it is top priority for God to connect with you!
God tells us in his word, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23) Why do you think God is so concerned with you ‘heart’?
It is with your ‘heart’ that you ‘connect’ with God. Your relationship with God begins with believing in him in your ‘heart’, and it is with your ‘heart’ that you continue to develop a strong relationship with God.
There are so many things in life that are tugging for the attention of your ‘heart’. Why do you think this is? If other things can get the attention of your ‘heart’; you will soon find that it is difficult to connect with God. You can be certain, the enemy wants you distracted and disconnected from God.
Things that may be tugging at your heart are; hurt, fear, offense, anxiety, mistrust, unbelief, jealousy, unforgiveness, and anger, just to mention a few. Involvement in sin will also clutter your heart. Things such as these will cause you to be disconnected from God.
I challenge you today to examine your ‘heart’. What are the things in your life that you are giving your ‘heart’ too? What things are cluttering up your ‘heart’? A cluttered ‘heart’ has no room for the love of God. Is connecting with God your top priority?
God wants all of your heart, not just the ‘left overs’. The bible tells us, “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”(Mathew 22:37) God wants your ‘heart’ so he can fill you with his joy and his love. Ask God to search your ‘heart’ and reveal anything that is a barrier between you and him. Ask God to send his love to cleanse your ‘heart’ and make you whole.
It is never too late to turn your ‘heart’ back towards God. Give God all of your ‘heart’ and watch him do amazing things in your life.
Heart Matters
What is in your ‘heart’ matters to God! The bible tells us; “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) The ‘heart’ ~ that place deep within your being that is the center of who you are. This is where you connect with God, and it is top priority for God to connect with you!
God tells us in his word, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23) Why do you think God is so concerned with you ‘heart’?
It is with your ‘heart’ that you ‘connect’ with God. Your relationship with God begins with believing in him in your ‘heart’, and it is with your ‘heart’ that you continue to develop a strong relationship with God.
There are so many things in life that are tugging for the attention of your ‘heart’. Why do you think this is? If other things can get the attention of your ‘heart’; you will soon find that it is difficult to connect with God. You can be certain, the enemy wants you distracted and disconnected from God.
Things that may be tugging at your heart are; hurt, fear, offense, anxiety, mistrust, unbelief, jealousy, unforgiveness, and anger, just to mention a few. Involvement in sin will also clutter your heart. Things such as these will cause you to be disconnected from God.
I challenge you today to examine your ‘heart’. What are the things in your life that you are giving your ‘heart’ too? What things are cluttering up your ‘heart’? A cluttered ‘heart’ has no room for the love of God. Is connecting with God your top priority?
God wants all of your heart, not just the ‘left overs’. The bible tells us, “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”(Mathew 22:37) God wants your ‘heart’ so he can fill you with his joy and his love. Ask God to search your ‘heart’ and reveal anything that is a barrier between you and him. Ask God to send his love to cleanse your ‘heart’ and make you whole.
It is never too late to turn your ‘heart’ back towards God. Give God all of your ‘heart’ and watch him do amazing things in your life.
Forgive ? Seriously ?????
Forgiveness seems so unfair
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21–22, ESV).
Before we can take forgiveness seriously, we have to grasp what forgiveness means. Forgiveness is the decision to release a person from the obligation that resulted when he injured you. When you injure others, knowingly or unknowingly, you create an obligation. You take something from them: their time, money, pride, or dignity. And if you take something from your brother, then you owe him. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that nobody pays that price. It actually means that the one granting forgiveness pays. He covers the debt. He’s the one who takes care of it.
“FORGIVENESS DOESN’T MEAN NOBODY PAYS THE PRICE; IT MEANS THE ONE GRANTING FORGIVENESS PAYS.”
If I choose to release someone through forgiveness, I pay the debt. I absorb it. I cover it. I forego what is rightfully due to me. I release the person from what he owes. I pay. Not unlike how, when God forgives, God pays. That’s the story of the gospel, isn’t it? I have a sin debt I can never pay, and Jesus pays it for me.
This extravagant, divine forgiveness sets the stage for human forgiveness, but that doesn’t make it easy. Since the debt was unfair in the first place, we instinctively hesitate to pay it ourselves. But our reasons for not forgiving all turn out to be rationalizations. If we hold out for an apology, we are missing the point. An apology doesn’t pay the debt; only forgiveness can. In the same way, if you’re six months behind on your mortgage, a sincere “sorry” to your bank won’t cancel the debt or the added interest. The apology is irrelevant to the crisis of forgiveness. Forgiveness necessitates a decision point, a true crisis: Will you choose to release the person from the obligation?
For fallen creatures like us, unforgiveness feels like power. Forgiveness surrenders the power to send any more “bills” to that person, to hold the debt over him. Forgiveness releases the person so he no longer owes you. That crisis to choose to forgive feels ugly and messy, but it’s worth it. By releasing someone else, we also release ourselves from the chains of self-destructive unforgiveness.
Why does unforgiveness feel like power? Why is it so hard to forgive?
Who are you “billing” today? What holds you back from forgiving that debt?
Pray
Father God, forgiveness feels so unfair. And it is. I lose perspective, though. When people sin against me, I want them to pay, and I hold onto grudges and harbor unforgiveness in my heart. Yet I desperately want You to forgive me. Just as I freely receive Your forgiveness, so I also need to freely give it. Help me, Holy Spirit. Please show me the people whom I need to forgive, and help me to forgive them. Thank You for Your lavish forgiveness. Help me to take Jesus’ story to heart so that I will forgive my brother/sister from my heart. In the name of Jesus, who paid the highest price to cancel the debt I could never pay, amen.
Everything in my life is going wrong. Life sucks, it just hurts and I just want to make it all go away. Nobody really cares and nobody would miss me if I wasn’t here anymore.
Why not just end it all?
If this is the question you're asking right now, can I just give you a giant virtual hug, right now? I know a hug won't really cure or solve anything, but we want you to know that I do care. Yes, somebody cares!
I’m so so sorry you're feeling this way. There are so many things that could have led to you to this point, as well as many emotions you might be feeling right now. Your heart must be hurting terribly, and I wish so much there was something I could do to instantly make it better. It may seem like nobody cares, or that no one really understands. Maybe you think there isn't any reason to hope, because it seems nothing will ever actually get better. Maybe life doesn't appear worth the pain of living.
But what if it was?
Please take this moment to hear me out, because we want to show you where True Hope lies, because it does exist. Yes, this life is full of pain and suffering, much of which we don't understand. Maybe you've never heard of the God who loves and cares about you more than words can describe. Or maybe you've grown up with God but feel like He has abandoned you. Maybe the Church has rejected you or burned you so badly that you can't imagine how their God could be different. Either way, God is so much more amazing and kind than man could ever hope to explain.
Why does God care about whether or not I commit suicide?
God is the Creator of the universe, and the Creator of you. God is the One whose image you were made in (Genesis 1:27). God is bigger than all circumstances, than all broken relationships, than all hurts and all mistakes. "For nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37). God is the treasurer of broken hearts (Psalm 51:15-17).
Do you feel like your life has no purpose?
God has a plan already made for your life, "plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). God created you because He wanted to, so you could glorify Him. Creating you in the first place brought Him glory! He chose everything about you and put the greatest thought into the smallest details of your person.
God loves you.
Even if you don't feel loved or if you can't love yourself right now, He still loves you. In fact, He loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for your sin so you could return to the presence of your Creator—God Himself. Jesus Christ willingly came to the world in the form of a man and endured humanity. He endured humiliation (Matthew 27:28-31, 39-44). He endured rejection (Luke 4:16-29). He even endured abandonment (Matthew 26:56b). Can you relate to His troubles on Earth? But despite all this, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Jesus came to rescue your soul and cradle your heart.
He is waiting for you to allow Him to speak into your life with Truth, love and hope. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7). He is waiting for you to give Him your life and accept His gift of salvation, or perhaps you've already accepted that gift and He's waiting for you to hand over control so He can lead you out of the darkness of despair to the beautiful, glimmering light of hope.
There is nothing you have done that is so bad that Jesus' sacrifice cannot cover it.
God has rescued and used people who were murderers (Moses), adulterers (David), and persecutors (the apostle Paul). But they all received forgiveness and renewal from God. "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). God wants you to come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ so that He can adopt you into His family as His child.
God is a Father who will love you unconditionally—you will never be able to make God stop loving you (Romans 8:38-39).
God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17), so there will never be a time when He'll just decide He no longer cares about you. As a child of God, you are assured His love is forever (Ephesians 4:30). God is waiting for you to turn to Him.
Acts 16:31 says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." Jesus Christ loved you so much that He already took care of everything for you. All you need to do is accept His free gift of salvation. Believe with your whole heart that only Jesus can pay for your sins. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
There is nothing we can do to lose our salvation or to become "more saved."
Romans 11:6 says, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace." And grace is what God extended to us.
But maybe you've already believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Maybe it feels like "it didn't work." Maybe you still feel despair and pain and hopelessness, and you think you're not "supposed" to feel that way. You're discouraged. You feel like an outcast from the church because you're doubting, and it feels like the line to God has been cut. You feel alone.
You are not alone.
I promise that you are not the only one who has gone through this struggle of doubt. Doubt does not take away salvation, nor does it take away God's unchangeable affection for you. Once you have become a child of God, "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, not height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).
Nothing can pull you away from your Savior, and nothing you do will make God love you less.
So why shouldn't you commit suicide?
Because God wants to show you His awesome plan for your life. Because God wants to repair the brokenness you view as no good and wish to end by suicide. The prophet Isaiah said, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified" (Isaiah 61:1-3). Psalm 147:3 says, "He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds."
Jesus came to Earth for the hurting. You, you, YOU are special and precious within the sight of the Creator of the universe. Yes, YOU—the one reading this! Matthew 10:29-31 says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So do not fear; YOU are more valuable than many sparrows."
May you know that you matter and are invaluable to the One who created everything from the tiniest fish in the sea, to the sun and the moon and the stars. May you find comfort in the unchanging presence and compassion of Jesus Christ, and know that you, my friend, are important and unconditionally loved. May Christ's grace be with you as you face this decision.
From my heart to yours,
Pastor Glenn
Why not just end it all?
If this is the question you're asking right now, can I just give you a giant virtual hug, right now? I know a hug won't really cure or solve anything, but we want you to know that I do care. Yes, somebody cares!
I’m so so sorry you're feeling this way. There are so many things that could have led to you to this point, as well as many emotions you might be feeling right now. Your heart must be hurting terribly, and I wish so much there was something I could do to instantly make it better. It may seem like nobody cares, or that no one really understands. Maybe you think there isn't any reason to hope, because it seems nothing will ever actually get better. Maybe life doesn't appear worth the pain of living.
But what if it was?
Please take this moment to hear me out, because we want to show you where True Hope lies, because it does exist. Yes, this life is full of pain and suffering, much of which we don't understand. Maybe you've never heard of the God who loves and cares about you more than words can describe. Or maybe you've grown up with God but feel like He has abandoned you. Maybe the Church has rejected you or burned you so badly that you can't imagine how their God could be different. Either way, God is so much more amazing and kind than man could ever hope to explain.
Why does God care about whether or not I commit suicide?
God is the Creator of the universe, and the Creator of you. God is the One whose image you were made in (Genesis 1:27). God is bigger than all circumstances, than all broken relationships, than all hurts and all mistakes. "For nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37). God is the treasurer of broken hearts (Psalm 51:15-17).
Do you feel like your life has no purpose?
God has a plan already made for your life, "plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). God created you because He wanted to, so you could glorify Him. Creating you in the first place brought Him glory! He chose everything about you and put the greatest thought into the smallest details of your person.
God loves you.
Even if you don't feel loved or if you can't love yourself right now, He still loves you. In fact, He loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for your sin so you could return to the presence of your Creator—God Himself. Jesus Christ willingly came to the world in the form of a man and endured humanity. He endured humiliation (Matthew 27:28-31, 39-44). He endured rejection (Luke 4:16-29). He even endured abandonment (Matthew 26:56b). Can you relate to His troubles on Earth? But despite all this, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Jesus came to rescue your soul and cradle your heart.
He is waiting for you to allow Him to speak into your life with Truth, love and hope. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7). He is waiting for you to give Him your life and accept His gift of salvation, or perhaps you've already accepted that gift and He's waiting for you to hand over control so He can lead you out of the darkness of despair to the beautiful, glimmering light of hope.
There is nothing you have done that is so bad that Jesus' sacrifice cannot cover it.
God has rescued and used people who were murderers (Moses), adulterers (David), and persecutors (the apostle Paul). But they all received forgiveness and renewal from God. "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). God wants you to come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ so that He can adopt you into His family as His child.
God is a Father who will love you unconditionally—you will never be able to make God stop loving you (Romans 8:38-39).
God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17), so there will never be a time when He'll just decide He no longer cares about you. As a child of God, you are assured His love is forever (Ephesians 4:30). God is waiting for you to turn to Him.
Acts 16:31 says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." Jesus Christ loved you so much that He already took care of everything for you. All you need to do is accept His free gift of salvation. Believe with your whole heart that only Jesus can pay for your sins. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
There is nothing we can do to lose our salvation or to become "more saved."
Romans 11:6 says, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace." And grace is what God extended to us.
But maybe you've already believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Maybe it feels like "it didn't work." Maybe you still feel despair and pain and hopelessness, and you think you're not "supposed" to feel that way. You're discouraged. You feel like an outcast from the church because you're doubting, and it feels like the line to God has been cut. You feel alone.
You are not alone.
I promise that you are not the only one who has gone through this struggle of doubt. Doubt does not take away salvation, nor does it take away God's unchangeable affection for you. Once you have become a child of God, "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, not height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).
Nothing can pull you away from your Savior, and nothing you do will make God love you less.
So why shouldn't you commit suicide?
Because God wants to show you His awesome plan for your life. Because God wants to repair the brokenness you view as no good and wish to end by suicide. The prophet Isaiah said, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified" (Isaiah 61:1-3). Psalm 147:3 says, "He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds."
Jesus came to Earth for the hurting. You, you, YOU are special and precious within the sight of the Creator of the universe. Yes, YOU—the one reading this! Matthew 10:29-31 says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So do not fear; YOU are more valuable than many sparrows."
May you know that you matter and are invaluable to the One who created everything from the tiniest fish in the sea, to the sun and the moon and the stars. May you find comfort in the unchanging presence and compassion of Jesus Christ, and know that you, my friend, are important and unconditionally loved. May Christ's grace be with you as you face this decision.
From my heart to yours,
Pastor Glenn
“God, give me patience …. Right now !! “
What is patience and how should we incorporate it into our lives?
What does the Bible say about patience?
We live in a world where things are changing rapidly. Just consider how far technology has come in the past 50 to 100 years, or even the past year. It seems that even before we can get the latest and greatest gadget, we’re already bombarded with advertisements for something that’s even better.
The rapid pace of life often brings with it the tendency for instant gratification. For many of us, when we want something, we want it now. I’m not pointing fingers, unless you count the three pointing right back at me!
Interestingly enough, the Bible has quite a bit to say.
Waiting, waiting, waiting...
One of the best examples of patience in the Bible is Abraham. When Abraham was around 75 years old, God promised him that he would have a child. But Abraham didn’t see that promise fulfilled until he was 100 years old (Gen 21:5).
The Bible says that Abraham, “having patiently waited, obtained the promise” (Heb 6:15, NIV). Abraham stayed steadfast in his faith. The Apostle Paul describes Abraham’s faith in the following way:
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised (Rom 4:20-21, NIV).
Just like Abraham, in the midst of our trials, desires, and wants, we need to remember to look to God, who always fulfills His promises. We need to be like Abraham recognizing that God has the power to do what He says He will do.
Patience and perseverance
Connected to the biblical idea of patience is the theme of perseverance. Believers are called to endure through hardship and pain (Rom. 8:18-25; 12:12; Col 1:11; 2 Tim 2:24). If you’ll recall from our study on joy, James tells us that we are to consider it “pure joy” when we go through various trials (Js 1:2). But James also talks about perseverance in the midst of these trials. When we persevere through trials, we become mature Christians. Romans 5:3-4 says the same thing.
Benefits of being patient
I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s really difficult to be patient. When I attended Bible College, I lived in the city of Chicago in the USA. There was a certain time of day that I dreaded driving—rush hour. There was nothing rushed about it! Traffic was at a dead standstill. A drive that would normally take 20 minutes ended up taking closer to an hour or more.
But through driving in standstill traffic I learned the importance of using my time wisely instead of complaining.
I used the opportunity to spend time with God. It was during those times that I had some of the best times praying in my life.
I began actually listening to and thinking through the music I heard on the radio. The commute gave me a good opportunity to think about how the music affected my thoughts and attitudes and whether it was building me up in my faith.
I found the opportunity to let my mind reflect on the day. What was good and bad about my day? How did I treat my friends? Was I living the way Jesus wanted me to?
In many ways, I’m thankful for the long commute. It helped to instill principles in me that I have learned to incorporate into my life still today. Patience can do that for you, too.
How you can grow patience in your life
Now, you don’t have to be stuck in Chicago traffic to learn the benefits of patience in your life. Let’s look at some steps below to begin incorporating the virtue of patience in our lives. Here's a few steps you can take, wherever you may be:
Read through and reflect on the following passages: James 1:2-4; Romans 8:18-25; 12:12. Ask yourself: What do these passages have to say about patience? How is patience connected to suffering and hope?
Think about areas where you’re struggling with patience in your life and jot those down. Then, think about how lack of patience in those areas might be keeping you from loving God and loving others. If you find that impatience is keeping you in a constant bad mood or from loving God and others, confess it to the Lord.
Begin looking for ways that you can use your time wisely instead of complaining about having to wait. Look for ways to fill your life up with a positive outlook regarding your circumstances.
Consider unplugging for a while from electronics and spend some time in solitude.
Again, there’s nothing magical about these steps. Our goal is to find ways that we can move closer to Jesus through the fruit of the Spirit.
What is patience and how should we incorporate it into our lives?
What does the Bible say about patience?
We live in a world where things are changing rapidly. Just consider how far technology has come in the past 50 to 100 years, or even the past year. It seems that even before we can get the latest and greatest gadget, we’re already bombarded with advertisements for something that’s even better.
The rapid pace of life often brings with it the tendency for instant gratification. For many of us, when we want something, we want it now. I’m not pointing fingers, unless you count the three pointing right back at me!
Interestingly enough, the Bible has quite a bit to say.
Waiting, waiting, waiting...
One of the best examples of patience in the Bible is Abraham. When Abraham was around 75 years old, God promised him that he would have a child. But Abraham didn’t see that promise fulfilled until he was 100 years old (Gen 21:5).
The Bible says that Abraham, “having patiently waited, obtained the promise” (Heb 6:15, NIV). Abraham stayed steadfast in his faith. The Apostle Paul describes Abraham’s faith in the following way:
Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised (Rom 4:20-21, NIV).
Just like Abraham, in the midst of our trials, desires, and wants, we need to remember to look to God, who always fulfills His promises. We need to be like Abraham recognizing that God has the power to do what He says He will do.
Patience and perseverance
Connected to the biblical idea of patience is the theme of perseverance. Believers are called to endure through hardship and pain (Rom. 8:18-25; 12:12; Col 1:11; 2 Tim 2:24). If you’ll recall from our study on joy, James tells us that we are to consider it “pure joy” when we go through various trials (Js 1:2). But James also talks about perseverance in the midst of these trials. When we persevere through trials, we become mature Christians. Romans 5:3-4 says the same thing.
Benefits of being patient
I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s really difficult to be patient. When I attended Bible College, I lived in the city of Chicago in the USA. There was a certain time of day that I dreaded driving—rush hour. There was nothing rushed about it! Traffic was at a dead standstill. A drive that would normally take 20 minutes ended up taking closer to an hour or more.
But through driving in standstill traffic I learned the importance of using my time wisely instead of complaining.
I used the opportunity to spend time with God. It was during those times that I had some of the best times praying in my life.
I began actually listening to and thinking through the music I heard on the radio. The commute gave me a good opportunity to think about how the music affected my thoughts and attitudes and whether it was building me up in my faith.
I found the opportunity to let my mind reflect on the day. What was good and bad about my day? How did I treat my friends? Was I living the way Jesus wanted me to?
In many ways, I’m thankful for the long commute. It helped to instill principles in me that I have learned to incorporate into my life still today. Patience can do that for you, too.
How you can grow patience in your life
Now, you don’t have to be stuck in Chicago traffic to learn the benefits of patience in your life. Let’s look at some steps below to begin incorporating the virtue of patience in our lives. Here's a few steps you can take, wherever you may be:
Read through and reflect on the following passages: James 1:2-4; Romans 8:18-25; 12:12. Ask yourself: What do these passages have to say about patience? How is patience connected to suffering and hope?
Think about areas where you’re struggling with patience in your life and jot those down. Then, think about how lack of patience in those areas might be keeping you from loving God and loving others. If you find that impatience is keeping you in a constant bad mood or from loving God and others, confess it to the Lord.
Begin looking for ways that you can use your time wisely instead of complaining about having to wait. Look for ways to fill your life up with a positive outlook regarding your circumstances.
Consider unplugging for a while from electronics and spend some time in solitude.
Again, there’s nothing magical about these steps. Our goal is to find ways that we can move closer to Jesus through the fruit of the Spirit.
How does God feel about cheating?
According to a, recent high school survey, 80 percent say they've cheated in school. Most of those say they've cheated "seldom" or "only once," but one person actually admitted to cheating every day! Only six percent of you say you've never cheated.
And almost three-fourths of you (73 percent) say cheating is a problem at your school.
When we asked why people cheat, the most common answers were: "they didn't study" (87 percent), "to get a passing grade" (80 percent), and "to get better grades" (77 percent).
All right, enough statistics. It's clear that cheating is a big issue.
An issue, yes. But is it a problem? After all, it's so common, almost everybody's "doing it"—even the nation's very best students. According to the latest survey of Who's Who among American High School Students, 80 percent of them admit to cheating.
Many students find cheating easy to justify. "Cheating never hurts anybody," one guy told the Chicago Tribune in a story about cheating in school. "Ten years from now, who's going to care?"
"Why should I know the parts of a squid's stomach?" said a girl, citing her reason for cheating on a test.
When that girl's mother heard her daughter had cheated, she hardly flinched: "It's cheating, after all," the mom told the Tribune. "She didn't pull a knife on somebody."
Indeed, when compared to some of the other things that have happened in high schools recently, cheating doesn't seem like such a big deal, does it?
Maybe not if you're the cheater. But what if you're a non-cheater? One high school sophomore who said he never cheats told the Tribune why cheaters tick him off.
"It's unfair to me and everyone else who doesn't cheat," he said. "Cheating is stealing. It's not yours. You didn't earn it."
What does God say?
In a youth group survey, 92 percent of you said that one reason people shouldn't cheat is because "God says it's wrong"; 65 percent of you said that's the main reason not to cheat.
So what does God say about cheating? In the Ten Commandments he said, "You shall not steal" (Deuteronomy 5:19). And cheating is stealing—usually, it's stealing someone else's work.
In the New Testament, we're told to "put off falsehood" (Ephesians 4:25). Simply put: Don't lie. And cheating is lying; you're turning in work you're falsely claiming as your own. (On the Campus Life survey, 81 percent of you said "there's no difference" between cheating and lying.)
But one of the Bible's strongest warnings against cheating can be found in Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament. The first chapter of Malachi says God was disappointed in the priests because they were cheating on the job.
How did they cheat? God had made it clear that all sacrifices to him had to be made with perfect animals. But these priests were cheating by sacrificing imperfect animals. (It's one thing to think you can get away with pulling a fast one on your teacher. But on God? What were these guys thinking?!?)
The Living Bible (Malachi 1:6-14) says the priests had "despised" God's name by offering "polluted sacrifices." Responding to this charge, the priests said, "Polluted sacrifices? When have we ever done a thing like that?"
God answered, "Every time you say, 'don’t bother bringing anything very valuable to offer to God!' You tell the people, 'Lame animals are all right to offer on the altar of the Lord—yes, even the sick and the blind ones.' And you claim this isn't evil?"
God goes on to tell the cheating priests, "My name shall be great among the nations. But you dishonor it, saying that my altar is not important, and encouraging people to bring cheap, sick animals to offer to me on it. …
"Cursed is that man who promises a fine ram from his flock, and substitutes a sick one to sacrifice to God. For I am a Great King, and my name is to be mightily revered among the Gentiles."
It might be tempting to think, OK, so some old priests cheated God more than 2,000 years ago. What's that got to do with somebody copying a few answers from somebody else's homework?
Well, a lot, actually. As Christians, we're "priests" too (see 1 Peter 2:5). And as "priests," we're supposed to give God our best work; he doesn't want any "polluted sacrifices." Instead, he wants us to be a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1).
At first glance, cheating on a quiz may not seem as big a deal as offering God a "polluted sacrifice." But as Christians, we should think of all of our actions—big or little, "religious" or not—as "living sacrifices" to God.
Everything we do—in church, in school, at home, everywhere—is ultimately done for (or against) God: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. … It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3:23-24).
The priests in Malachi's day were cheating because they weren't doing their best work. It's just the same when someone cheats in school; it's not their best work.
And like those old priests in Malachi, we're supposed to give God a good name. That's something we just can't do if we're wearing the name "Cheater."
Making a difference
It's clear that cheating smears God's name. But cheating affects more than our relationship with God. It affects our relationships with people, too.
• Cheating affects your relationships with other students. As that non-cheating sophomore told the Trib, "It's unfair to me and everyone else who doesn't cheat. Cheating is stealing."
When someone cheats—and doesn't get caught—he gets a grade he didn't earn. And that affects other students in several ways. They might get mad, because they studied hard, only to get a lower grade than somebody who cheated. They might be tempted to cheat too, just to keep up academically with the cheaters. And they might be put in a position where they feel they have to tell someone (a teacher, a counselor, a parent) about the cheating, and that's not a comfortable position.
• Cheating affects your relationships with adults. Maybe it's a teacher. Or a coach. Or the guidance counselor who's trying to help you get into the right college. Maybe it's a youth leader. Or maybe your parents. If you're caught cheating, you've broken your trust—not only between you and God, but between you and anyone who knows you.
But even if you don't get caught, you've violated a trust, and your conscience will tell you that. Maybe your teacher or your parents don't know, but by cheating, you're on your way to establishing a pattern of dishonesty that could grow to include lying and stealing too. Dishonesty ruins relationships, and cheating is just one symptom of an inner condition.
Finally, and most importantly, cheating simply isn't a good witness. If others know you're a Christian and they see you cheating, what does that tell them?
As Christians, we're called to be different in everything we do—at church, at home, at school. But we're not only called to be different, but to make a difference to those around us.
Not cheating is a great place to start.
According to a, recent high school survey, 80 percent say they've cheated in school. Most of those say they've cheated "seldom" or "only once," but one person actually admitted to cheating every day! Only six percent of you say you've never cheated.
And almost three-fourths of you (73 percent) say cheating is a problem at your school.
When we asked why people cheat, the most common answers were: "they didn't study" (87 percent), "to get a passing grade" (80 percent), and "to get better grades" (77 percent).
All right, enough statistics. It's clear that cheating is a big issue.
An issue, yes. But is it a problem? After all, it's so common, almost everybody's "doing it"—even the nation's very best students. According to the latest survey of Who's Who among American High School Students, 80 percent of them admit to cheating.
Many students find cheating easy to justify. "Cheating never hurts anybody," one guy told the Chicago Tribune in a story about cheating in school. "Ten years from now, who's going to care?"
"Why should I know the parts of a squid's stomach?" said a girl, citing her reason for cheating on a test.
When that girl's mother heard her daughter had cheated, she hardly flinched: "It's cheating, after all," the mom told the Tribune. "She didn't pull a knife on somebody."
Indeed, when compared to some of the other things that have happened in high schools recently, cheating doesn't seem like such a big deal, does it?
Maybe not if you're the cheater. But what if you're a non-cheater? One high school sophomore who said he never cheats told the Tribune why cheaters tick him off.
"It's unfair to me and everyone else who doesn't cheat," he said. "Cheating is stealing. It's not yours. You didn't earn it."
What does God say?
In a youth group survey, 92 percent of you said that one reason people shouldn't cheat is because "God says it's wrong"; 65 percent of you said that's the main reason not to cheat.
So what does God say about cheating? In the Ten Commandments he said, "You shall not steal" (Deuteronomy 5:19). And cheating is stealing—usually, it's stealing someone else's work.
In the New Testament, we're told to "put off falsehood" (Ephesians 4:25). Simply put: Don't lie. And cheating is lying; you're turning in work you're falsely claiming as your own. (On the Campus Life survey, 81 percent of you said "there's no difference" between cheating and lying.)
But one of the Bible's strongest warnings against cheating can be found in Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament. The first chapter of Malachi says God was disappointed in the priests because they were cheating on the job.
How did they cheat? God had made it clear that all sacrifices to him had to be made with perfect animals. But these priests were cheating by sacrificing imperfect animals. (It's one thing to think you can get away with pulling a fast one on your teacher. But on God? What were these guys thinking?!?)
The Living Bible (Malachi 1:6-14) says the priests had "despised" God's name by offering "polluted sacrifices." Responding to this charge, the priests said, "Polluted sacrifices? When have we ever done a thing like that?"
God answered, "Every time you say, 'don’t bother bringing anything very valuable to offer to God!' You tell the people, 'Lame animals are all right to offer on the altar of the Lord—yes, even the sick and the blind ones.' And you claim this isn't evil?"
God goes on to tell the cheating priests, "My name shall be great among the nations. But you dishonor it, saying that my altar is not important, and encouraging people to bring cheap, sick animals to offer to me on it. …
"Cursed is that man who promises a fine ram from his flock, and substitutes a sick one to sacrifice to God. For I am a Great King, and my name is to be mightily revered among the Gentiles."
It might be tempting to think, OK, so some old priests cheated God more than 2,000 years ago. What's that got to do with somebody copying a few answers from somebody else's homework?
Well, a lot, actually. As Christians, we're "priests" too (see 1 Peter 2:5). And as "priests," we're supposed to give God our best work; he doesn't want any "polluted sacrifices." Instead, he wants us to be a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1).
At first glance, cheating on a quiz may not seem as big a deal as offering God a "polluted sacrifice." But as Christians, we should think of all of our actions—big or little, "religious" or not—as "living sacrifices" to God.
Everything we do—in church, in school, at home, everywhere—is ultimately done for (or against) God: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. … It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3:23-24).
The priests in Malachi's day were cheating because they weren't doing their best work. It's just the same when someone cheats in school; it's not their best work.
And like those old priests in Malachi, we're supposed to give God a good name. That's something we just can't do if we're wearing the name "Cheater."
Making a difference
It's clear that cheating smears God's name. But cheating affects more than our relationship with God. It affects our relationships with people, too.
• Cheating affects your relationships with other students. As that non-cheating sophomore told the Trib, "It's unfair to me and everyone else who doesn't cheat. Cheating is stealing."
When someone cheats—and doesn't get caught—he gets a grade he didn't earn. And that affects other students in several ways. They might get mad, because they studied hard, only to get a lower grade than somebody who cheated. They might be tempted to cheat too, just to keep up academically with the cheaters. And they might be put in a position where they feel they have to tell someone (a teacher, a counselor, a parent) about the cheating, and that's not a comfortable position.
• Cheating affects your relationships with adults. Maybe it's a teacher. Or a coach. Or the guidance counselor who's trying to help you get into the right college. Maybe it's a youth leader. Or maybe your parents. If you're caught cheating, you've broken your trust—not only between you and God, but between you and anyone who knows you.
But even if you don't get caught, you've violated a trust, and your conscience will tell you that. Maybe your teacher or your parents don't know, but by cheating, you're on your way to establishing a pattern of dishonesty that could grow to include lying and stealing too. Dishonesty ruins relationships, and cheating is just one symptom of an inner condition.
Finally, and most importantly, cheating simply isn't a good witness. If others know you're a Christian and they see you cheating, what does that tell them?
As Christians, we're called to be different in everything we do—at church, at home, at school. But we're not only called to be different, but to make a difference to those around us.
Not cheating is a great place to start.
Burt out by phony “christians”
We’ve all seen them… they look and sound so pious and holy on Sunday or at youth group, but outside of church they act and use language that would make a trucker blush. So what’s the deal ???
Jim walked into Cal's dorm apartment without knocking, just like he'd done many times before. Friends since junior high, the two guys were tight. Jim searched the room's lounge, finding a mess of books, paper, soda cans, and an empty pizza box. A blanket was strewn across an open futon. Must have had a friend over, Jim guessed. The absence of a pillow on the lumpy futon struck him as strange.
Raiding the mini-fridge for a soda, Jim could hear the shower running. Snapping a Dr. Pepper, he turned to Cal's bedroom. Its door was firmly closed.
Jim quietly turned the knob and opened the door
Fast asleep, Jim decided. We'll take care of that.
Setting the Dr. Pepper on the floor, Jim quietly turned the knob and opened the door. Just then the shower stopped running. Jim needed to hurry, or this little surprise would be interrupted. Creeping toward the figure buried under the sheets, Jim formed his hands into claws, ready to gouge Cal into consciousness.
But there were a couple of things wrong.
An extra pillow lay discarded on the floor. And the hips under those sheets seemed a little too curved.
The bathroom door opened. Jim snapped his head toward the noise, fingers frozen in space. There stood Cal, in the bedroom doorway, a green bath towel wrapped around his waist.
"C-Cal?" Jim gasped.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for you."
"Don't you ever knock?" Cal demanded.
Jim stared at his friend, gaping.
The rustling of sheets brought him back to the figure in the bed.
"Cal?" a tiny voice asked. A tangle of blonde hair popped from under the sheets. Long lashes fought to unglue themselves from smudged mascara.
"Ci-Cindy?" Jim asked, barely able to find his voice.
Suddenly Jim felt himself jerked by the arm and dragged from the room. Cal slammed the door shut, kicking over the Dr. Pepper. Snatching the can, he flung it into the steamy bathroom. Aluminum clattered against porcelain, and soda sprayed through the fog.
"Don't you ever come into this apartment again without knocking." Cal's eyes beamed a hatred Jim had never seen before.
His own heart surged with anger. Biting it back, Jim kept his voice low. "What were you doing spending the night alone with Cindy in your apartment?"
"She needed a place to sleep, guy. I slept on the couch. Back off. Now."
Jim paused, heart pounding with doubt. Then he shook his head and dove in. "I don't care if you spent the night across the kitchen table playing Old Maid, this looks bad, Cal. Besides, what's with the extra pillow in your room?"
Cal's face twitched.
"Don't you care what Jesus thinks?" Jim asked, pleading.
The face went cold. "Outta my place, pal." A big thumb pointed the way.
Eyes wide, head down, ears burning, Jim obeyed.
conflicting bumper stickers indicate hypocrisy
Burnt out by all the hypocrisy you're seeing in the lives of people you thought knew better? You probably have good reason. There's a lot of phony stuff out there, dressed up in people who call themselves Christians.
Some of those people may be your friends.
When you see sin in the hearts of others—and you will—beware. You are in a vulnerable situation. Discouragement will knock on your door. Don't open it. Behind that door, the devil rubs his hands together in evil excitement, rehearsing his sales pitch: "This whole God thing's a farce. It doesn't work. Christianity is full of hypocrites. Give it up."
Don't succumb to discouragement and cynicism. Recognize Satan's lies. Use this painful time to consider some important truths.
Understand this: Not all who call themselves Christians truly are.
Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you’” (Matthew 7:22-23).
People who don't truly know Jesus as Savior haven't got the capacity to live like him. Pretend believers, by definition, will be two-faced. Their religion is just an empty shell.
Rest assured: Jesus is no hypocrite.
look at Jesus - He's always pure, consistent, and appropriate
With your eyes on people—even good people—you'll eventually be disappointed. Guaranteed. And if you gaze 24/7 at the phoniness of others, you're asking for complete disillusionment. You'll see hypocrisy, real or imagined, absolutely everywhere. That's a black place to be.
Instead look at Jesus (Hebrews 12:2-3). You won't find an ounce of hypocrisy, not a flicker of phoniness. He's always pure, consistent, and appropriate, in both history and his present-day dealings in your life. Jesus Christ, the man who knew no sin
(2 Corinthians 5:21), is genuine Christianity personified.
Be reminded: You're not alone.
Jesus is painfully aware of hypocrisy, too. He sees its every manifestation far more clearly than your finite eyes can. While on Earth, he dealt with a plague of religious phonies. He called them "whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones" (Matthew 23:27). The history of mankind is crammed with people who claimed to have one set of standards while living out another. There's comfort in knowing you're not alone in your disturbing discoveries. And there's wisdom to be gained from realizing that even though Jesus sees it all—in all its ugliness—he's still patient (Psalm 103:8).
Be sobered: Hypocrisy also lurks within your own soul.
Your own hypocrisy might not be flagrant, but you no doubt have traces of it in your life. Hypocrisy is a subtle sin. Consider these easily-overlooked-but-still-very-ugly faces of phony Christianity:
realize that hypocrisy sprouts in your own heart
Miffed that your roommate never has learned to listen, you cut him off midsentence and let him know.
Shocked that you witnessed your friend shoplifting, you prepare a Bible study on the subject with pirated software.
Flustered at the cheapskate Christians who leave you lousy tips, you go about your Christmas shopping with the nagging fear of running into a Salvation Army man with one of those stupid bells.
Scandalized by the missionary kid who wears sweaters with necklines way too low, you squeeze into your jeans determined to slip her a little advice on modesty.
Upset that all the Christians in your dorm are mammoth sloths who think nothing of lying fast asleep on a Sunday morning, you go to church unaware of how much you envy them.
Realize that hypocrisy sprouts in your heart long before it blossoms into hypocritical actions. God's Word says that your heart is "deceitful above all things" (Jeremiah 17:9). That means your heart can outdo the devil himself in making you think you're doing God's will when you really aren't. Only God can unravel the tangled motivations of your soul. You desperately need him to reveal to you your own hypocritical tendencies.
Don't witness hypocrisy at work without taking action. Take some positive steps.
first step
First Step
Allow God to reveal to you any phoniness in your own life
(Psalm 139:23-24). You can't help a guy with his temper if your own heart is fuming. Confess your hypocrisy to God, get a new attitude, make any necessary apologies, and move on, your gaze firmly fixed on Jesus.
step 2
Next Step
With your conscience clean—no planks in your own eye
(Matthew 7:5)—decide whether God would have you help your friend where his life doesn't measure up.
Prayerfully think it through
If you sense a green light, ask God for wisdom on issues like approach and timing. Prayerfully think it through.
Then, before you do anything else, get a necessary dose of humility from this verse: "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself or you also may be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). "Gently" is key. Don't go into this with a head full of steam. If you do, you'll just burn your friend, leaving wounds that may never heal (Proverbs 18:19).
step 3
Third Step
Choose a private moment; you don't want to embarrass anyone in front of others. Then say what needs to be said. Find courage in this passage: "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins"
(James 5:19-20).
step 4
Fourth Step
Realize that your well-intentioned efforts may draw an angry reaction. You may need to take it further. Matthew 18:15-17 gives some clear direction for difficult situations like this.
step 5
Final Step
Whether or not you feel led to confront the problem, avoid sticking your nose in the air the next time you see that person. Instead pray. Learn from his or her folly. Realize that if it wasn't for God's grace, you might be in a worse state. And make your relationship with Jesus so real and attractive that your erring friend will want to come back and join you.
We’ve all seen them… they look and sound so pious and holy on Sunday or at youth group, but outside of church they act and use language that would make a trucker blush. So what’s the deal ???
Jim walked into Cal's dorm apartment without knocking, just like he'd done many times before. Friends since junior high, the two guys were tight. Jim searched the room's lounge, finding a mess of books, paper, soda cans, and an empty pizza box. A blanket was strewn across an open futon. Must have had a friend over, Jim guessed. The absence of a pillow on the lumpy futon struck him as strange.
Raiding the mini-fridge for a soda, Jim could hear the shower running. Snapping a Dr. Pepper, he turned to Cal's bedroom. Its door was firmly closed.
Jim quietly turned the knob and opened the door
Fast asleep, Jim decided. We'll take care of that.
Setting the Dr. Pepper on the floor, Jim quietly turned the knob and opened the door. Just then the shower stopped running. Jim needed to hurry, or this little surprise would be interrupted. Creeping toward the figure buried under the sheets, Jim formed his hands into claws, ready to gouge Cal into consciousness.
But there were a couple of things wrong.
An extra pillow lay discarded on the floor. And the hips under those sheets seemed a little too curved.
The bathroom door opened. Jim snapped his head toward the noise, fingers frozen in space. There stood Cal, in the bedroom doorway, a green bath towel wrapped around his waist.
"C-Cal?" Jim gasped.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for you."
"Don't you ever knock?" Cal demanded.
Jim stared at his friend, gaping.
The rustling of sheets brought him back to the figure in the bed.
"Cal?" a tiny voice asked. A tangle of blonde hair popped from under the sheets. Long lashes fought to unglue themselves from smudged mascara.
"Ci-Cindy?" Jim asked, barely able to find his voice.
Suddenly Jim felt himself jerked by the arm and dragged from the room. Cal slammed the door shut, kicking over the Dr. Pepper. Snatching the can, he flung it into the steamy bathroom. Aluminum clattered against porcelain, and soda sprayed through the fog.
"Don't you ever come into this apartment again without knocking." Cal's eyes beamed a hatred Jim had never seen before.
His own heart surged with anger. Biting it back, Jim kept his voice low. "What were you doing spending the night alone with Cindy in your apartment?"
"She needed a place to sleep, guy. I slept on the couch. Back off. Now."
Jim paused, heart pounding with doubt. Then he shook his head and dove in. "I don't care if you spent the night across the kitchen table playing Old Maid, this looks bad, Cal. Besides, what's with the extra pillow in your room?"
Cal's face twitched.
"Don't you care what Jesus thinks?" Jim asked, pleading.
The face went cold. "Outta my place, pal." A big thumb pointed the way.
Eyes wide, head down, ears burning, Jim obeyed.
conflicting bumper stickers indicate hypocrisy
Burnt out by all the hypocrisy you're seeing in the lives of people you thought knew better? You probably have good reason. There's a lot of phony stuff out there, dressed up in people who call themselves Christians.
Some of those people may be your friends.
When you see sin in the hearts of others—and you will—beware. You are in a vulnerable situation. Discouragement will knock on your door. Don't open it. Behind that door, the devil rubs his hands together in evil excitement, rehearsing his sales pitch: "This whole God thing's a farce. It doesn't work. Christianity is full of hypocrites. Give it up."
Don't succumb to discouragement and cynicism. Recognize Satan's lies. Use this painful time to consider some important truths.
Understand this: Not all who call themselves Christians truly are.
Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you’” (Matthew 7:22-23).
People who don't truly know Jesus as Savior haven't got the capacity to live like him. Pretend believers, by definition, will be two-faced. Their religion is just an empty shell.
Rest assured: Jesus is no hypocrite.
look at Jesus - He's always pure, consistent, and appropriate
With your eyes on people—even good people—you'll eventually be disappointed. Guaranteed. And if you gaze 24/7 at the phoniness of others, you're asking for complete disillusionment. You'll see hypocrisy, real or imagined, absolutely everywhere. That's a black place to be.
Instead look at Jesus (Hebrews 12:2-3). You won't find an ounce of hypocrisy, not a flicker of phoniness. He's always pure, consistent, and appropriate, in both history and his present-day dealings in your life. Jesus Christ, the man who knew no sin
(2 Corinthians 5:21), is genuine Christianity personified.
Be reminded: You're not alone.
Jesus is painfully aware of hypocrisy, too. He sees its every manifestation far more clearly than your finite eyes can. While on Earth, he dealt with a plague of religious phonies. He called them "whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones" (Matthew 23:27). The history of mankind is crammed with people who claimed to have one set of standards while living out another. There's comfort in knowing you're not alone in your disturbing discoveries. And there's wisdom to be gained from realizing that even though Jesus sees it all—in all its ugliness—he's still patient (Psalm 103:8).
Be sobered: Hypocrisy also lurks within your own soul.
Your own hypocrisy might not be flagrant, but you no doubt have traces of it in your life. Hypocrisy is a subtle sin. Consider these easily-overlooked-but-still-very-ugly faces of phony Christianity:
realize that hypocrisy sprouts in your own heart
Miffed that your roommate never has learned to listen, you cut him off midsentence and let him know.
Shocked that you witnessed your friend shoplifting, you prepare a Bible study on the subject with pirated software.
Flustered at the cheapskate Christians who leave you lousy tips, you go about your Christmas shopping with the nagging fear of running into a Salvation Army man with one of those stupid bells.
Scandalized by the missionary kid who wears sweaters with necklines way too low, you squeeze into your jeans determined to slip her a little advice on modesty.
Upset that all the Christians in your dorm are mammoth sloths who think nothing of lying fast asleep on a Sunday morning, you go to church unaware of how much you envy them.
Realize that hypocrisy sprouts in your heart long before it blossoms into hypocritical actions. God's Word says that your heart is "deceitful above all things" (Jeremiah 17:9). That means your heart can outdo the devil himself in making you think you're doing God's will when you really aren't. Only God can unravel the tangled motivations of your soul. You desperately need him to reveal to you your own hypocritical tendencies.
Don't witness hypocrisy at work without taking action. Take some positive steps.
first step
First Step
Allow God to reveal to you any phoniness in your own life
(Psalm 139:23-24). You can't help a guy with his temper if your own heart is fuming. Confess your hypocrisy to God, get a new attitude, make any necessary apologies, and move on, your gaze firmly fixed on Jesus.
step 2
Next Step
With your conscience clean—no planks in your own eye
(Matthew 7:5)—decide whether God would have you help your friend where his life doesn't measure up.
Prayerfully think it through
If you sense a green light, ask God for wisdom on issues like approach and timing. Prayerfully think it through.
Then, before you do anything else, get a necessary dose of humility from this verse: "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself or you also may be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). "Gently" is key. Don't go into this with a head full of steam. If you do, you'll just burn your friend, leaving wounds that may never heal (Proverbs 18:19).
step 3
Third Step
Choose a private moment; you don't want to embarrass anyone in front of others. Then say what needs to be said. Find courage in this passage: "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins"
(James 5:19-20).
step 4
Fourth Step
Realize that your well-intentioned efforts may draw an angry reaction. You may need to take it further. Matthew 18:15-17 gives some clear direction for difficult situations like this.
step 5
Final Step
Whether or not you feel led to confront the problem, avoid sticking your nose in the air the next time you see that person. Instead pray. Learn from his or her folly. Realize that if it wasn't for God's grace, you might be in a worse state. And make your relationship with Jesus so real and attractive that your erring friend will want to come back and join you.
What Does Your Selfie Say About You?
You are more than your social media feed.
Love ’em or hate ’em, but don’t bother trying to avoid ’em: selfies are popping up everywhere you look. Millions of them are taken every day, from carefully-filtered Instagram photos to goofy Snap chats. You’ve probably taken more than a few yourself. But there’s more meaning to be found in this phenomenon than meets your social media feed—it reveals a lot about our most basic human desires.
Social media is fun. It’s a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, and it has become an integral part of our culture. We make checking our Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter part of our daily (or hourly) routine. This allows us to keep up on the world and with the lives of those close—and not so close—to us. These aren’t bad things, but it’s always good to step back sometimes and ask “why?” The answer might reveal a lot about who we are and help us understand ourselves better.
Why do we post what we post? To get at the “why” question, it’s helpful to first start with the “what.”
My Selfie, My Self?
It used to be that if you wanted a self-portrait, you’d have to sit for hours while an artist painted or drew your face with painstaking detail. As technology has evolved, phones with front-facing cameras have made self-portraiture as easy as a single click (that is, if you can get that perfect angle on the first try). And with ease comes more opportunity. Taking a selfie takes so little effort that we do it without thinking about why. Everyone else is doing it. And so are you.
A selfie represents you to your followers. Different kinds of selfies convey different messages. On Snapchat, you might post a funny face. On Instagram, you’d be more likely to post a picture of yourself in a new outfit. With each selfie, you’re developing a social media self-image.
Self-image is important to us. We care what other people think. That’s why we dress and act in certain ways. We feel self-conscious when we think people perceive us differently than how we want to be seen.
Social media gives us a new way to manage our self-image, but it also creates even more pressure to present a perfect picture of ourselves to those around us. Cell phones allow us to take multiple pictures until we get just the perfect angle. And Instagram filters can take care of a lot.
Caring about your self-image isn’t always a bad thing. It becomes a problem when you take it too far—that’s why selfies are frequently critiqued as the ultimate example of narcissism gone wild in our culture. A narcissist is someone who is self-centered and desires lots of admiration and attention from others. Simply taking a photo of yourself doesn’t automatically make you self-centered. But maybe the great deal of time we spend posing for and prepping each selfie does reveal a deeper desire to present an idealized version of ourselves to the world. Even on Snapchat, where we send less manicured photos, each snap is still a calculated demonstration of “me” sent off only to close friends.
Affirmation, Please
If an Instagram post doesn’t receive any likes within a few minutes, we start to get worried. Too much more time passes, and we delete it. Why? Because the number of likes and comments we get plays into how we feel about ourselves. It also demonstrates how we naturally seek affirmation from others. We want people to notice us, to appreciate us, and to think our input is meaningful. It feels good when people recognize us by commenting on our post or sending back a snap on Snapchat. When we don’t get a response, we assume something must be wrong with the post—which means something is “wrong” with us. So we selectively choose what we post in order to maintain our self-image while also receiving the maximum amount of affirmation.
A Bad Case of FOMO
What would the world be like if it was based only on our social media posts? Everyone would always be smiling, and would always be doing something you wish you could be doing, too.
But life isn’t as simple as we present it on social media. There’s a lot that goes on between one selfie and the next, or one awesome photo of you with your friends to the next. People only post the “coolest” or most exciting parts of their lives, and this leads to FOMO: the Fear of Missing Out. We see how much fun other people are having, so we have to post a great picture to demonstrate that we are doing exciting things, too. What we’re really doing is comparing our full lives to someone else’s “best of” reel, and it’s making us dissatisfied. The likes on our posts make us feel like what we are doing is worth our time, and that we’re not missing out on something better happening elsewhere.
Finding the Source of Your Selfie
Social media is all about sharing ourselves with our followers. The problem is that our social media accounts can never contain the full picture of who we are what we send is carefully selected and edited to shape our image and receive the affirmation we desire. We edit ourselves in our offline lives as well, but social media makes it easier to do so and presents a particular image to many people at once.
We will never find rest and peace if we are constantly searching for human affirmation alone. We need to find our meaning and affirmation elsewhere—and that’s in God. Our culture calls on us to act and present ourselves in certain ways. But selfies and social media are things that will pass. God is forever, and so is his love. We can rest assured that God loves us more than any double-tap could demonstrate, that he sees us without filters and still calls us his beloved.
Don’t let what you post on social media be what defines you. Don’t worry about the number of likes and comments you receive. It’s okay to want to share your life, but share it knowing who you are in Christ—there’s no competition or missing out with God.
You are more than your social media feed.
Love ’em or hate ’em, but don’t bother trying to avoid ’em: selfies are popping up everywhere you look. Millions of them are taken every day, from carefully-filtered Instagram photos to goofy Snap chats. You’ve probably taken more than a few yourself. But there’s more meaning to be found in this phenomenon than meets your social media feed—it reveals a lot about our most basic human desires.
Social media is fun. It’s a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, and it has become an integral part of our culture. We make checking our Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter part of our daily (or hourly) routine. This allows us to keep up on the world and with the lives of those close—and not so close—to us. These aren’t bad things, but it’s always good to step back sometimes and ask “why?” The answer might reveal a lot about who we are and help us understand ourselves better.
Why do we post what we post? To get at the “why” question, it’s helpful to first start with the “what.”
My Selfie, My Self?
It used to be that if you wanted a self-portrait, you’d have to sit for hours while an artist painted or drew your face with painstaking detail. As technology has evolved, phones with front-facing cameras have made self-portraiture as easy as a single click (that is, if you can get that perfect angle on the first try). And with ease comes more opportunity. Taking a selfie takes so little effort that we do it without thinking about why. Everyone else is doing it. And so are you.
A selfie represents you to your followers. Different kinds of selfies convey different messages. On Snapchat, you might post a funny face. On Instagram, you’d be more likely to post a picture of yourself in a new outfit. With each selfie, you’re developing a social media self-image.
Self-image is important to us. We care what other people think. That’s why we dress and act in certain ways. We feel self-conscious when we think people perceive us differently than how we want to be seen.
Social media gives us a new way to manage our self-image, but it also creates even more pressure to present a perfect picture of ourselves to those around us. Cell phones allow us to take multiple pictures until we get just the perfect angle. And Instagram filters can take care of a lot.
Caring about your self-image isn’t always a bad thing. It becomes a problem when you take it too far—that’s why selfies are frequently critiqued as the ultimate example of narcissism gone wild in our culture. A narcissist is someone who is self-centered and desires lots of admiration and attention from others. Simply taking a photo of yourself doesn’t automatically make you self-centered. But maybe the great deal of time we spend posing for and prepping each selfie does reveal a deeper desire to present an idealized version of ourselves to the world. Even on Snapchat, where we send less manicured photos, each snap is still a calculated demonstration of “me” sent off only to close friends.
Affirmation, Please
If an Instagram post doesn’t receive any likes within a few minutes, we start to get worried. Too much more time passes, and we delete it. Why? Because the number of likes and comments we get plays into how we feel about ourselves. It also demonstrates how we naturally seek affirmation from others. We want people to notice us, to appreciate us, and to think our input is meaningful. It feels good when people recognize us by commenting on our post or sending back a snap on Snapchat. When we don’t get a response, we assume something must be wrong with the post—which means something is “wrong” with us. So we selectively choose what we post in order to maintain our self-image while also receiving the maximum amount of affirmation.
A Bad Case of FOMO
What would the world be like if it was based only on our social media posts? Everyone would always be smiling, and would always be doing something you wish you could be doing, too.
But life isn’t as simple as we present it on social media. There’s a lot that goes on between one selfie and the next, or one awesome photo of you with your friends to the next. People only post the “coolest” or most exciting parts of their lives, and this leads to FOMO: the Fear of Missing Out. We see how much fun other people are having, so we have to post a great picture to demonstrate that we are doing exciting things, too. What we’re really doing is comparing our full lives to someone else’s “best of” reel, and it’s making us dissatisfied. The likes on our posts make us feel like what we are doing is worth our time, and that we’re not missing out on something better happening elsewhere.
Finding the Source of Your Selfie
Social media is all about sharing ourselves with our followers. The problem is that our social media accounts can never contain the full picture of who we are what we send is carefully selected and edited to shape our image and receive the affirmation we desire. We edit ourselves in our offline lives as well, but social media makes it easier to do so and presents a particular image to many people at once.
We will never find rest and peace if we are constantly searching for human affirmation alone. We need to find our meaning and affirmation elsewhere—and that’s in God. Our culture calls on us to act and present ourselves in certain ways. But selfies and social media are things that will pass. God is forever, and so is his love. We can rest assured that God loves us more than any double-tap could demonstrate, that he sees us without filters and still calls us his beloved.
Don’t let what you post on social media be what defines you. Don’t worry about the number of likes and comments you receive. It’s okay to want to share your life, but share it knowing who you are in Christ—there’s no competition or missing out with God.
We all need a self-confidence boost from time to time. Here are some ways you can work on building up your self-confidence while also keeping your eyes on God:
Read the Bible
Spending time in God's word gives us confidence. Throughout the Bible, we are reminded time after time about God's faith in humanity. We learn that He has a promise and a purpose for every one of us, and that HIs love is sustaining.
Meet Someone New
We are not meant to live alone, and meeting someone new can go a long way to boosting our self-confidence…and theirs. Next time you see someone sitting alone in youth group or in class, try introducing yourself.
Find an Accountability Partner
Accountability partners aren't just about correcting the bad things, they're also about encouraging one another. God places accountability partners in our lives to help us see His light in dark times. They pray with us, lift us up, and help give us a little confidence boost.
Participate in Outreach
Whenever your self-confidence takes a little dip, try getting out and helping others. Outreach opportunities abound in churches, and doing something good like working a soup kitchen, cleaning up a neighborhood park, or tutoring underprivileged students can make us feel a little more sure of ourselves.
Go on a Missions Trip
Missions can be scary if you've never done one before. You travel outside of your comfort zone to provide for those in need. It takes the focus off of you and makes you feel a little more confident in how God can use you to further His plans for others.
Try Something New Today
There is nothing scarier than trying something new for the first time. While the fear of failure make hit our self-confidence, the boost that comes after you try something makes it worth it. God doesn't always have us be successful the first time we try something. Often we have to try and try again to get it right.
Start a Gratitude Journal
When we start to see our self-confidence wane, often it's because we don't see all the good things in our lives. Try writing down all the things you're thankful for. Suddenly you may realize you have it pretty good.
Join a Bible Study
Going deeper into God's word is a great way to build your relationship with Him. When we understand the Bible, we begin to see our own choices and direction take on a new shape. His word allows us to live better for Him, which gives us much more confidence in our decisions.
Go to Prayer Group
Prayer is one of the best ways to grow closer to God. We spend time talking to Him and listening to Him. We get down on our knees to show Him respect, and we surrender ourselves to Him for a period of time. As we grow in our relationship with God, we grow in confidence that we are living our lives for Him.
Write Down Your Doubts
Christians face doubt. It's normal to question your faith from time to time. After all, we face people telling us we're crazy for believing every day. Yet, instead of letting doubt take hold, we need to examine them closely. A good way to do that is to write them down and really work our way through them until we come out stronger than before.
Read the Bible
Spending time in God's word gives us confidence. Throughout the Bible, we are reminded time after time about God's faith in humanity. We learn that He has a promise and a purpose for every one of us, and that HIs love is sustaining.
Meet Someone New
We are not meant to live alone, and meeting someone new can go a long way to boosting our self-confidence…and theirs. Next time you see someone sitting alone in youth group or in class, try introducing yourself.
Find an Accountability Partner
Accountability partners aren't just about correcting the bad things, they're also about encouraging one another. God places accountability partners in our lives to help us see His light in dark times. They pray with us, lift us up, and help give us a little confidence boost.
Participate in Outreach
Whenever your self-confidence takes a little dip, try getting out and helping others. Outreach opportunities abound in churches, and doing something good like working a soup kitchen, cleaning up a neighborhood park, or tutoring underprivileged students can make us feel a little more sure of ourselves.
Go on a Missions Trip
Missions can be scary if you've never done one before. You travel outside of your comfort zone to provide for those in need. It takes the focus off of you and makes you feel a little more confident in how God can use you to further His plans for others.
Try Something New Today
There is nothing scarier than trying something new for the first time. While the fear of failure make hit our self-confidence, the boost that comes after you try something makes it worth it. God doesn't always have us be successful the first time we try something. Often we have to try and try again to get it right.
Start a Gratitude Journal
When we start to see our self-confidence wane, often it's because we don't see all the good things in our lives. Try writing down all the things you're thankful for. Suddenly you may realize you have it pretty good.
Join a Bible Study
Going deeper into God's word is a great way to build your relationship with Him. When we understand the Bible, we begin to see our own choices and direction take on a new shape. His word allows us to live better for Him, which gives us much more confidence in our decisions.
Go to Prayer Group
Prayer is one of the best ways to grow closer to God. We spend time talking to Him and listening to Him. We get down on our knees to show Him respect, and we surrender ourselves to Him for a period of time. As we grow in our relationship with God, we grow in confidence that we are living our lives for Him.
Write Down Your Doubts
Christians face doubt. It's normal to question your faith from time to time. After all, we face people telling us we're crazy for believing every day. Yet, instead of letting doubt take hold, we need to examine them closely. A good way to do that is to write them down and really work our way through them until we come out stronger than before.
“The blame”
We’ve all experienced it. No matter how well we planned something, no matter how well our intentions are – things just go wrong. We all have those days when we wish we never got out of bed. Sometimes life’s circumstances seem to just build until one day things just erupt. The question is – how do you deal with it? Where do we focus our frustration or even anger? Do we target God for our circumstances or situations?
Regardless of your age, there are times when life doesn't seem to be going your way. Teenage years are especially difficult, as your life is in a constant flux and the world is pulling you in different directions. It is a common reaction to get angry with God when life's circumstances become too much, yet a quick look at the Bible makes it clear that this is not the right response. Here's the deal...
God Loves You
In moments of difficulty, it is easy to forget this simple fact. Faced with troubles, God's love is not always clear. Yet, God created good and desires good for His children. The unfortunate reality is that sin is in the world and causes suffering. God doesn't cause the suffering; in fact, He suffers with you and feels your pain. You can't be angry with God for the difficulties that sin brings into your life.
Purpose
Everything is part of a plan. These sound like empty words that people say when trying to comfort you, but that doesn't make them untrue. What you are going through is part of a bigger plan that God has for the world. Even in your own life, it isn't difficult to find past disappointments or trials that turned out for the better and produced good. Understand that your current struggles are part of God's purpose for your life, and seek Him in them rather than getting angry at Him.
Fear of God
Ecclesiastes says, "God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Being angry with God does not show Him the respect He deserves. No matter how frustrated you are, you need to maintain a healthy fear of God. He is bigger than you and His ways are beyond you. It is fine to ask questions and voice concerns, but anger shows disrespect.
Examples
There are numerous examples of anger in the Bible. Jonah was mad that God didn't destroy Ninevah. Jeremiah was mad that no one listened to him. David was mad that he was being attacked constantly. Job was angry with God for ruining his life. Each of these men voiced their anger with God, then praised Him for His goodness. It is OK to complain, but any anger must always be tempered with respect and praise.
Jesus endured all the trials and emotions of man, so He understands your pain. This needs to be a great comfort in your time of need. Instead of becoming angry at God, ask Him for strength and peace, since He knows exactly what you're going through all the time.
We’ve all experienced it. No matter how well we planned something, no matter how well our intentions are – things just go wrong. We all have those days when we wish we never got out of bed. Sometimes life’s circumstances seem to just build until one day things just erupt. The question is – how do you deal with it? Where do we focus our frustration or even anger? Do we target God for our circumstances or situations?
Regardless of your age, there are times when life doesn't seem to be going your way. Teenage years are especially difficult, as your life is in a constant flux and the world is pulling you in different directions. It is a common reaction to get angry with God when life's circumstances become too much, yet a quick look at the Bible makes it clear that this is not the right response. Here's the deal...
God Loves You
In moments of difficulty, it is easy to forget this simple fact. Faced with troubles, God's love is not always clear. Yet, God created good and desires good for His children. The unfortunate reality is that sin is in the world and causes suffering. God doesn't cause the suffering; in fact, He suffers with you and feels your pain. You can't be angry with God for the difficulties that sin brings into your life.
Purpose
Everything is part of a plan. These sound like empty words that people say when trying to comfort you, but that doesn't make them untrue. What you are going through is part of a bigger plan that God has for the world. Even in your own life, it isn't difficult to find past disappointments or trials that turned out for the better and produced good. Understand that your current struggles are part of God's purpose for your life, and seek Him in them rather than getting angry at Him.
Fear of God
Ecclesiastes says, "God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Being angry with God does not show Him the respect He deserves. No matter how frustrated you are, you need to maintain a healthy fear of God. He is bigger than you and His ways are beyond you. It is fine to ask questions and voice concerns, but anger shows disrespect.
Examples
There are numerous examples of anger in the Bible. Jonah was mad that God didn't destroy Ninevah. Jeremiah was mad that no one listened to him. David was mad that he was being attacked constantly. Job was angry with God for ruining his life. Each of these men voiced their anger with God, then praised Him for His goodness. It is OK to complain, but any anger must always be tempered with respect and praise.
Jesus endured all the trials and emotions of man, so He understands your pain. This needs to be a great comfort in your time of need. Instead of becoming angry at God, ask Him for strength and peace, since He knows exactly what you're going through all the time.
Bitterness is a biting resentment that clings to a person like a flesh-eating parasite. This unpleasant affliction shows itself with some of the following symptoms: harsh, unprovoked cynicism and an antagonistic attitude that can become downright hostile.
Something bitter can be described as "sharp like an arrow or pungent to the taste, disagreeable; venomous." This idea of physical bitterness comes from Numbers 5:11-31; a process is described wherein a priest would give tainted water to a woman under suspicion of adultery. If she was guilty, then a curse would come upon her that would cause "bitter pain" (v. 27).
The more figurative definition of bitterness speaks of an emotional or mental state that works destruction in the mind like a poison would work destruction on the body. It's a state where the affected party clutches their anger in a death grip, refusing to let it go, all the while braced for a fight at even the smallest, most illogical offenses.
Anyone who has fallen into the pattern of bitter thought can attest to how hard it is to break the mold they've placed themselves into. Bitterness colors life in a grimy film, making \ things that were once innocent and beautiful look like they're something sinister or just masquerading as something pure. It's a miserable place to be, and it can feel like our feet are encased in concrete when we try to just "let it go."
How does the Bible address bitterness?
If bitterness is something you struggle with, be careful not to entertain those thoughts or they will pierce your mind like the root of a tree and become unshakable. Ephesians 4:31 says to get rid of negative feelings toward others right away: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."
Bitterness resists change. Bitterness wants its captives to stay right where they're at instead of reconciling with the thing that hurt them (knowingly or unknowingly). Once bitterness has begun sink into a heart, getting rid of it is like trying to pull a tree stump out of ground with your bare hands. It just isn't going to happen.
If bitterness is left unchecked, it can lead to wrath, and wrath leads to angry outbursts, and angry outbursts lead to slander, and finally, the stage will be set for the heart to nourish an attitude of malice toward another person or group of people. None of these are godly attitudes, and bitterness is at the root of them all.
It is critical that we aim to keep bitterness from getting a foothold in our lives, and instead seek to conform to the image of Jesus Christ and His characteristics (2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:14-16; John 3:30; Luke 9:23-24).
What if bitterness has already taken root?
It's easy to say how horrible and destructive bitterness is. It's easy to point the finger at the bitter person and say, "That's bad." But what about the person who already has bitterness rooted in his heart? Even if the desire to change is there, how do we go about fighting something that may have already permeated the fiber of our thinking?
Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
Whereas bitterness is the result of withholding forgiveness and releasing anger, the cure for bitterness is extending forgiveness and giving kindness. That's not to say this is easy, or that it happens overnight. But nothing is impossible with God. With the strengthening of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to overcome even the deepest bitterness (Matthew 19:26).
Don't forget: You were forgiven first.
Remember that you have been adopted into God's family only because He first forgave you. None of us deserve God's forgiveness. But instead of striking us off the face of the planet when we sinned, God extended His mercy and grace and gave us an opportunity for a new life through Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:12-13).
On the days when we don't feel like forgiving others, and we're hurt and tired and angry, we can look to the God who loves us and gives us the power and the state of mind to extend love instead of hate—even when it's difficult or undeserved.
Battling bitterness requires choosing to love the subject of our anger and our hurt instead of allowing the bitterness to continue to keep its roots burrowed into our hearts.
"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." —Colossians 3:12-17
In short ..... ditch the bitterness, it's baggage not worth hanging on to.
Something bitter can be described as "sharp like an arrow or pungent to the taste, disagreeable; venomous." This idea of physical bitterness comes from Numbers 5:11-31; a process is described wherein a priest would give tainted water to a woman under suspicion of adultery. If she was guilty, then a curse would come upon her that would cause "bitter pain" (v. 27).
The more figurative definition of bitterness speaks of an emotional or mental state that works destruction in the mind like a poison would work destruction on the body. It's a state where the affected party clutches their anger in a death grip, refusing to let it go, all the while braced for a fight at even the smallest, most illogical offenses.
Anyone who has fallen into the pattern of bitter thought can attest to how hard it is to break the mold they've placed themselves into. Bitterness colors life in a grimy film, making \ things that were once innocent and beautiful look like they're something sinister or just masquerading as something pure. It's a miserable place to be, and it can feel like our feet are encased in concrete when we try to just "let it go."
How does the Bible address bitterness?
If bitterness is something you struggle with, be careful not to entertain those thoughts or they will pierce your mind like the root of a tree and become unshakable. Ephesians 4:31 says to get rid of negative feelings toward others right away: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."
Bitterness resists change. Bitterness wants its captives to stay right where they're at instead of reconciling with the thing that hurt them (knowingly or unknowingly). Once bitterness has begun sink into a heart, getting rid of it is like trying to pull a tree stump out of ground with your bare hands. It just isn't going to happen.
If bitterness is left unchecked, it can lead to wrath, and wrath leads to angry outbursts, and angry outbursts lead to slander, and finally, the stage will be set for the heart to nourish an attitude of malice toward another person or group of people. None of these are godly attitudes, and bitterness is at the root of them all.
It is critical that we aim to keep bitterness from getting a foothold in our lives, and instead seek to conform to the image of Jesus Christ and His characteristics (2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:14-16; John 3:30; Luke 9:23-24).
What if bitterness has already taken root?
It's easy to say how horrible and destructive bitterness is. It's easy to point the finger at the bitter person and say, "That's bad." But what about the person who already has bitterness rooted in his heart? Even if the desire to change is there, how do we go about fighting something that may have already permeated the fiber of our thinking?
Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
Whereas bitterness is the result of withholding forgiveness and releasing anger, the cure for bitterness is extending forgiveness and giving kindness. That's not to say this is easy, or that it happens overnight. But nothing is impossible with God. With the strengthening of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to overcome even the deepest bitterness (Matthew 19:26).
Don't forget: You were forgiven first.
Remember that you have been adopted into God's family only because He first forgave you. None of us deserve God's forgiveness. But instead of striking us off the face of the planet when we sinned, God extended His mercy and grace and gave us an opportunity for a new life through Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:12-13).
On the days when we don't feel like forgiving others, and we're hurt and tired and angry, we can look to the God who loves us and gives us the power and the state of mind to extend love instead of hate—even when it's difficult or undeserved.
Battling bitterness requires choosing to love the subject of our anger and our hurt instead of allowing the bitterness to continue to keep its roots burrowed into our hearts.
"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." —Colossians 3:12-17
In short ..... ditch the bitterness, it's baggage not worth hanging on to.
Ok, you’re a Christian. You've accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, and you are ready to start representing Him as an Ambassador for Heaven here on Earth. That is awesome! Deciding to follow Jesus is the single most important decision you will ever make. You are a new creation with the righteousness of Christ all over you and the Holy Spirit deep within you (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:13-14).
But if you have been a Christian for more than a couple days, you know that the story doesn't end at the bottom of a rainbow. Being a Christian is not always filled with sugar cookies, sunshine, and puppies. In fact, Jesus was sure to point out that life will be tough if you choose to follow Him, but He also said that this was no reason to despair because He's on your side (John 16:33).
Seriously ??? In this messed up world with everything that comes our way, how should I live my life as a Christian teen?
When we're talking about what a Christian is "supposed to do," we want to make it clear that there is no list of rules and regulations or to-dos or not-to-dos that we can check off in order to gain favor or salvation from God. The only way we can be saved or be deemed righteous by God is by having faith that Jesus Christ is our Savior from the punishment of sin (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). Galatians 3:11 says that "no one is justified by the Law in the sight of God...for, 'The just shall live by faith.'"
So our faith is the only thing that saves us. Our faith is the only thing that grants us anything at all. Yet we are still expected to be Ambassadors for Christ, right? What does the Bible say about how we should live our lives?
According to Jesus' teachings, God's greatest commandments boil down to two things: love God and love people (Matthew 22:36-40). Let's look find some biblical principles that will help us understand how to live out this "love God, love people" thing.
How do I love God?
When you love someone, you try to maintain a healthy relationship that person. In order to maintain a healthy relationship with God, we should: talk to Him constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), read His Word in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 1:17), talk about Him and what He is doing in our lives (Galatians 6:9; Psalm 96:3). Make God a part of your daily life so that you do not forget who made you, who forgave you, and who will give you strength to persevere (Hebrews 10:38-39).
Being obedient to God is another part of loving Him. Because He loves you dearly and knows what is best for you (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3; Psalm 119:30), you can be assured that He will never lead you in the wrong direction (Proverbs 3:6; Romans 8:28; Proverbs 3:5).
Psalm 37:4-6 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."
How I love people?
Even though not everyone is lovable, it is important for us to love them the way God loves us (1 John 4:19). Think about it: we aren't always loveable either, but that doesn't change the way God feels about us. We are to be kind, compassionate, merciful, forgiving, patient, and gentle to the people around us—no matter what their beliefs, lifestyles, race, or social status (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). God loves all people unconditionally, sacrificially, and absolutely (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). We should aim to do the same.
Once we have decided to live by faith in Christ, we aren't allowed to be selfish anymore (Galatians 2:20). Thanks to Jesus, we are brand new creations who no longer have to choose sin (1 Corinthians 5:17). Because of His sacrifice, we sacrifice our own desires and ambitions, replacing them with a desire to do as God wills for our lives. It sounds hard, but God has a lot of grace for us and will provide the power you need to live your life for Him.
Is a true Christian life even possible in the real world?
Yes, I know how all of this sounds very nice and sweet and perfect, but then you still have to get up in the morning and face your troubles. It can be hard to always love God when He allows bad things to happen sometimes. It can be a serious challenge to always love people when people can be so unlovable. On top of that, we're dealing with things like stress, hormones, school, parents, coaches, teachers, and everything else that life throws at us.
But God promises that He will not give us more than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13), and He will give us the strength we need to get through life's trials. Isaiah 40:30-31 says, "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
But if you have been a Christian for more than a couple days, you know that the story doesn't end at the bottom of a rainbow. Being a Christian is not always filled with sugar cookies, sunshine, and puppies. In fact, Jesus was sure to point out that life will be tough if you choose to follow Him, but He also said that this was no reason to despair because He's on your side (John 16:33).
Seriously ??? In this messed up world with everything that comes our way, how should I live my life as a Christian teen?
When we're talking about what a Christian is "supposed to do," we want to make it clear that there is no list of rules and regulations or to-dos or not-to-dos that we can check off in order to gain favor or salvation from God. The only way we can be saved or be deemed righteous by God is by having faith that Jesus Christ is our Savior from the punishment of sin (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). Galatians 3:11 says that "no one is justified by the Law in the sight of God...for, 'The just shall live by faith.'"
So our faith is the only thing that saves us. Our faith is the only thing that grants us anything at all. Yet we are still expected to be Ambassadors for Christ, right? What does the Bible say about how we should live our lives?
According to Jesus' teachings, God's greatest commandments boil down to two things: love God and love people (Matthew 22:36-40). Let's look find some biblical principles that will help us understand how to live out this "love God, love people" thing.
How do I love God?
When you love someone, you try to maintain a healthy relationship that person. In order to maintain a healthy relationship with God, we should: talk to Him constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), read His Word in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 1:17), talk about Him and what He is doing in our lives (Galatians 6:9; Psalm 96:3). Make God a part of your daily life so that you do not forget who made you, who forgave you, and who will give you strength to persevere (Hebrews 10:38-39).
Being obedient to God is another part of loving Him. Because He loves you dearly and knows what is best for you (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3; Psalm 119:30), you can be assured that He will never lead you in the wrong direction (Proverbs 3:6; Romans 8:28; Proverbs 3:5).
Psalm 37:4-6 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."
How I love people?
Even though not everyone is lovable, it is important for us to love them the way God loves us (1 John 4:19). Think about it: we aren't always loveable either, but that doesn't change the way God feels about us. We are to be kind, compassionate, merciful, forgiving, patient, and gentle to the people around us—no matter what their beliefs, lifestyles, race, or social status (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). God loves all people unconditionally, sacrificially, and absolutely (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). We should aim to do the same.
Once we have decided to live by faith in Christ, we aren't allowed to be selfish anymore (Galatians 2:20). Thanks to Jesus, we are brand new creations who no longer have to choose sin (1 Corinthians 5:17). Because of His sacrifice, we sacrifice our own desires and ambitions, replacing them with a desire to do as God wills for our lives. It sounds hard, but God has a lot of grace for us and will provide the power you need to live your life for Him.
Is a true Christian life even possible in the real world?
Yes, I know how all of this sounds very nice and sweet and perfect, but then you still have to get up in the morning and face your troubles. It can be hard to always love God when He allows bad things to happen sometimes. It can be a serious challenge to always love people when people can be so unlovable. On top of that, we're dealing with things like stress, hormones, school, parents, coaches, teachers, and everything else that life throws at us.
But God promises that He will not give us more than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13), and He will give us the strength we need to get through life's trials. Isaiah 40:30-31 says, "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Is it sinful to get bad grades?
As a student, doing well in school is your most important "job," and as Christians, we should be committed to doing the best we can at any job God has put in our lives. Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
You are not only trying to get good grades in order to do well and have a nice transcript for college (and maybe monetary rewards), but you are also glorifying God by being committed to doing the best you can. This is a part of your "quiet" testimony, living your life in a way that Christ would (Matthew 5:16). Good work is what God did when He created the universe, and He said it was good (Genesis 1:31). Our work should be good too!
Ephesians 6:7-8 says that we should "serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free." We do our best at school, work, or whatever because God has entrusted us with gifts and talents that we should be using wisely.
1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Going to school and being a good student is definitely one way to give glory to God with your life. Try to be the best student your teachers have ever had by studying hard, being kind and respectful to everyone at school, and doing good work on your assignments, papers, and speeches.
All that said, it is NOT a sin to get bad grades (or even just mediocre ones). Your letter grade is neither sinful nor unsinful. It's a neutral thing. Sin occurs in our hearts, our motivations, and our attitudes—not in the actual thing itself.
For example, if you are truly trying your hardest at school and seeking help when you don't understand, but you are still struggling to make As or Bs or even a C, that's OK. It is not a sin. Do try to find a tutor or someone else who can help you though, because it is definitely frustrating and distracting to have a hard time learning things at school. That frustration can lead to sinful actions like anger toward others, resentment, bitterness, etc.
However, if you are slacking off and the result is a report of low grades, then you are not "doing all for the glory of God," and that IS a sin. Your low grades would be a natural consequence of your actions though—not a sin. The sin is in the attitude of not caring about whether or not you do your best.
The Bible gives us some really good advice when it comes to doing good work:
Proverbs 14:23 says, "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."
Proverbs 6:6-11 says, "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man."
Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."
2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." In verse 6, Paul also warns us to stay away from slackers because they're not a good influence on us.
According to these verses, the Bible is saying that a strong work ethic is important and that slacking off is not a good idea for the believer.
That said, it's also important to note that Bible warns against making "work" all that matters to you (Matthew 6:19-34). Being obsessed over getting good grades or winning awards at school isn't good for us either; it means that our priorities are out of whack. That kind of misplaced dedication can cause health problems with stress and depression if we don't meet our goals. It may even build a wall between you and God, your family, or friends.
Take it easy sometimes! Yes, do your best, but don't overdo it to the point that you hurt your health or relationships. God rested on the seventh day of creation (Genesis 2:2-3), and later He commanded that His people take a Sabbath too (Exodus 20:9-10a). Today, because of the grace of Christ, we are no longer required to take a Sabbath (Mark 2:27), but it's definitely a wonderful gift that it would be wise to use!
Remember, while good grades are important, they should not be the most important thing in your life. Your heart, attitude, and motivations are what God is concerned about, and His deepest desire is to help you develop into Christ-likeness (Matthew 6:19-34). God is interested in having a relationship with you as His child—not hounding you about the letters on your report card.
As a student, doing well in school is your most important "job," and as Christians, we should be committed to doing the best we can at any job God has put in our lives. Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
You are not only trying to get good grades in order to do well and have a nice transcript for college (and maybe monetary rewards), but you are also glorifying God by being committed to doing the best you can. This is a part of your "quiet" testimony, living your life in a way that Christ would (Matthew 5:16). Good work is what God did when He created the universe, and He said it was good (Genesis 1:31). Our work should be good too!
Ephesians 6:7-8 says that we should "serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free." We do our best at school, work, or whatever because God has entrusted us with gifts and talents that we should be using wisely.
1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Going to school and being a good student is definitely one way to give glory to God with your life. Try to be the best student your teachers have ever had by studying hard, being kind and respectful to everyone at school, and doing good work on your assignments, papers, and speeches.
All that said, it is NOT a sin to get bad grades (or even just mediocre ones). Your letter grade is neither sinful nor unsinful. It's a neutral thing. Sin occurs in our hearts, our motivations, and our attitudes—not in the actual thing itself.
For example, if you are truly trying your hardest at school and seeking help when you don't understand, but you are still struggling to make As or Bs or even a C, that's OK. It is not a sin. Do try to find a tutor or someone else who can help you though, because it is definitely frustrating and distracting to have a hard time learning things at school. That frustration can lead to sinful actions like anger toward others, resentment, bitterness, etc.
However, if you are slacking off and the result is a report of low grades, then you are not "doing all for the glory of God," and that IS a sin. Your low grades would be a natural consequence of your actions though—not a sin. The sin is in the attitude of not caring about whether or not you do your best.
The Bible gives us some really good advice when it comes to doing good work:
Proverbs 14:23 says, "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."
Proverbs 6:6-11 says, "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man."
Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."
2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." In verse 6, Paul also warns us to stay away from slackers because they're not a good influence on us.
According to these verses, the Bible is saying that a strong work ethic is important and that slacking off is not a good idea for the believer.
That said, it's also important to note that Bible warns against making "work" all that matters to you (Matthew 6:19-34). Being obsessed over getting good grades or winning awards at school isn't good for us either; it means that our priorities are out of whack. That kind of misplaced dedication can cause health problems with stress and depression if we don't meet our goals. It may even build a wall between you and God, your family, or friends.
Take it easy sometimes! Yes, do your best, but don't overdo it to the point that you hurt your health or relationships. God rested on the seventh day of creation (Genesis 2:2-3), and later He commanded that His people take a Sabbath too (Exodus 20:9-10a). Today, because of the grace of Christ, we are no longer required to take a Sabbath (Mark 2:27), but it's definitely a wonderful gift that it would be wise to use!
Remember, while good grades are important, they should not be the most important thing in your life. Your heart, attitude, and motivations are what God is concerned about, and His deepest desire is to help you develop into Christ-likeness (Matthew 6:19-34). God is interested in having a relationship with you as His child—not hounding you about the letters on your report card.
Hugging, Kissing & Making Out: How much is too much?
All right. Let's talk about getting physical during dating relationships. This is such a tricky subject, isn't it? Everybody has an opinion, from "don't even make eye contact" to "you can do anything but have sex." How is a Christian teen supposed to know what to do? And what does the Bible say about it?
First things first though, if your parents have said that you are not allowed to date, then you must obey their rules. Proverbs 1:8 says, "Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching..." Colossians 3:20 says, "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." Are we cool on that? Okay, moving on...
What this whole physical taboo thing really comes down to is this: avoiding temptation.
The old cliché that "one thing leads to another" is really true when it comes to physical intimacy. First it's just kissing, then it's fondling, then hands are making their way under clothes, and before you know it, everybody wants more more more. It's hard to get enough once you get started.
Yeah, it may be an old stereotype, but it's no secret that, as a teenager especially, it is often really hard to control ourselves physically. Matthew 26:41 says that "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Why is it that our bodies rebel against our minds when it comes to sexual purity?
Simply put, God created sex to be pleasurable, that's why our bodies desire it and all the sensations that come with it. But sex was created to be enjoyed only in the context of marriage between a husband and wife. So the idea of avoiding all physical contact while dating is more of a preventative measure so that the couple isn't tempted to have sex before they're married. (See 1 Corinthians 6:9, 13 and 2 Timothy 2:22.)
If, somehow, a couple was able to maintain their physical purity while dating and still occasionally kiss, then I personally don't believe God would have a problem with that—especially if their intention was to get married soon.
If, however, they found that their kissing was beginning to cause a desire for further physical intimacy, then they should stop and abstain from physical closeness until they can be married. The apostle Paul says that it is "better to marry than to burn with passion" (1 Corinthians 7:9).
As Christians, our efforts should NOT be toward pursuing physical pleasure, but we should rather chase after godliness and all the other traits of a believer. Second Timothy 2:22 says, "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." Even when you're married, sex should never be the #1 priority in your relationship.
If you're already in deep in a dating relationship and you think maybe you've gone too far or already had sex, please do NOT beat yourself up with guilt. If you feel convicted that you have made a mistake, that's good, and it's not too late to stop and start over again. That's repentance (Acts 3:19).
With God's help, you CAN control yourself in the future. Here are a few ways to avoid putting you and your steady in a tempting situation...
5 Ways to Smack Sexual Tension in the Face
PRAY TOGETHER. Hopefully your boyfriend or girlfriend is a Christian (2 Corinthians 6:14-15) or is at least willing to support your faith. If that's the case, praying together before your dates is a great idea. Ask God to help keep your physical desires in check and to bless your conversations and relationship.
Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." It certainly wouldn't hurt to pray for each other before you get together either.
DON'T KISS ON THE COUCH. Or the bed. Or anywhere you might end up in a sexually-tempting position. That might seem kind of silly, but if you keep those doors shut, then you are less likely to go through them.
BE OPEN WITH YOUR PARENTS. I know that sounds horrifying, but hear me out. If your parents have said you can date, then they're showing you that they trust you. By keeping them in the loop and allowing your parents to keep you accountable with curfews, physical intimacy, etc., then you're showing them that they made the right decision in trusting you.
BE SEXUALLY PURE WHEN YOU'RE ALONE TOO. Watching porn or masturbating to relieve sexual tension is NOT going to be helpful in your relationship. In fact, it's more likely to be harmful. Whether or not you are dating, having a sexually-pure mind and body is still vitally important.
First Thessalonians 4:3-5 says, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God..."
RUN AWAY. When things get too hot and heavy, call it a day or night or whatever and just put some physical distance between the two of you. First Corinthians 6:18-20 says to "flee from sexual immorality." Say goodnight or "see you tomorrow" and get yourself into a cold shower.
God has promised that "no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Look for those escapes; He's put them there for you! It is not impossible to remain a virgin or stay physically pure (Matthew 19:26). Many, many believers have had relationships and still stayed virgins until they were married.
If it's too late for keeping your virginity, you can still repent NOW and start over fresh. Your Heavenly Father will forgive you for your past—no matter how messy it is (1 John 1:9).
All right. Let's talk about getting physical during dating relationships. This is such a tricky subject, isn't it? Everybody has an opinion, from "don't even make eye contact" to "you can do anything but have sex." How is a Christian teen supposed to know what to do? And what does the Bible say about it?
First things first though, if your parents have said that you are not allowed to date, then you must obey their rules. Proverbs 1:8 says, "Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching..." Colossians 3:20 says, "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." Are we cool on that? Okay, moving on...
What this whole physical taboo thing really comes down to is this: avoiding temptation.
The old cliché that "one thing leads to another" is really true when it comes to physical intimacy. First it's just kissing, then it's fondling, then hands are making their way under clothes, and before you know it, everybody wants more more more. It's hard to get enough once you get started.
Yeah, it may be an old stereotype, but it's no secret that, as a teenager especially, it is often really hard to control ourselves physically. Matthew 26:41 says that "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Why is it that our bodies rebel against our minds when it comes to sexual purity?
Simply put, God created sex to be pleasurable, that's why our bodies desire it and all the sensations that come with it. But sex was created to be enjoyed only in the context of marriage between a husband and wife. So the idea of avoiding all physical contact while dating is more of a preventative measure so that the couple isn't tempted to have sex before they're married. (See 1 Corinthians 6:9, 13 and 2 Timothy 2:22.)
If, somehow, a couple was able to maintain their physical purity while dating and still occasionally kiss, then I personally don't believe God would have a problem with that—especially if their intention was to get married soon.
If, however, they found that their kissing was beginning to cause a desire for further physical intimacy, then they should stop and abstain from physical closeness until they can be married. The apostle Paul says that it is "better to marry than to burn with passion" (1 Corinthians 7:9).
As Christians, our efforts should NOT be toward pursuing physical pleasure, but we should rather chase after godliness and all the other traits of a believer. Second Timothy 2:22 says, "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." Even when you're married, sex should never be the #1 priority in your relationship.
If you're already in deep in a dating relationship and you think maybe you've gone too far or already had sex, please do NOT beat yourself up with guilt. If you feel convicted that you have made a mistake, that's good, and it's not too late to stop and start over again. That's repentance (Acts 3:19).
With God's help, you CAN control yourself in the future. Here are a few ways to avoid putting you and your steady in a tempting situation...
5 Ways to Smack Sexual Tension in the Face
PRAY TOGETHER. Hopefully your boyfriend or girlfriend is a Christian (2 Corinthians 6:14-15) or is at least willing to support your faith. If that's the case, praying together before your dates is a great idea. Ask God to help keep your physical desires in check and to bless your conversations and relationship.
Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." It certainly wouldn't hurt to pray for each other before you get together either.
DON'T KISS ON THE COUCH. Or the bed. Or anywhere you might end up in a sexually-tempting position. That might seem kind of silly, but if you keep those doors shut, then you are less likely to go through them.
BE OPEN WITH YOUR PARENTS. I know that sounds horrifying, but hear me out. If your parents have said you can date, then they're showing you that they trust you. By keeping them in the loop and allowing your parents to keep you accountable with curfews, physical intimacy, etc., then you're showing them that they made the right decision in trusting you.
BE SEXUALLY PURE WHEN YOU'RE ALONE TOO. Watching porn or masturbating to relieve sexual tension is NOT going to be helpful in your relationship. In fact, it's more likely to be harmful. Whether or not you are dating, having a sexually-pure mind and body is still vitally important.
First Thessalonians 4:3-5 says, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God..."
RUN AWAY. When things get too hot and heavy, call it a day or night or whatever and just put some physical distance between the two of you. First Corinthians 6:18-20 says to "flee from sexual immorality." Say goodnight or "see you tomorrow" and get yourself into a cold shower.
God has promised that "no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Look for those escapes; He's put them there for you! It is not impossible to remain a virgin or stay physically pure (Matthew 19:26). Many, many believers have had relationships and still stayed virgins until they were married.
If it's too late for keeping your virginity, you can still repent NOW and start over fresh. Your Heavenly Father will forgive you for your past—no matter how messy it is (1 John 1:9).
If we as humans were sinless and perfect, there would have been no need for Jesus to come. There would be no need for God’s plan of salvation. But Jesus did come and God has a Master Plan.
It is still a battle many times though isn’t it ?
Still struggling with the concept of God's fierce, pursuing love, especially because with committing the same sins over and over and fearing there is a point where He'll finally give up and walk out, like people do with people... trust God, know He's all powerful.
"Will God forgive me for _________?" Yes, yes, and yes. Whatever sin you can enter into that blank, the answer is this: Yes, God will forgive you. You may think your sin is so horrible that God could never forgive you, but it doesn't matter how big or small it is. God's forgiveness never runs out. Remember when they murdered Jesus on the cross? And yet He still said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
First John 1:8-9says, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
When Jesus paid for our sins, He paid for all of them—past, present, and future. There is nothing you can do that He would have forgotten to cover or wouldn't want to cover. He paid the price for the entire human race and all our wickedness (Isaiah 53:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Salvation → Forgiveness
Salvation and forgiveness are linked. If you have received that salvation, which is forgiveness of sin, then you are fully forgiven of your whole debt of sin. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
If you have not received Christ as your Savior, then what are you waiting for? Tell Jesus that you believe He is Lord, and confess your sins so you can be forgiven!
This is both the hard part, and the best part. This forgiveness of sins is entirely through God's grace, and not our works. There is nothing you can do to earn forgiveness (Romans 3:20-22). Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Rest in that knowledge—that you do not need to work for salvation and forgiveness.
I may be forgiven, but I still feel guilty...
It's true. Even though you know you are forgiven, you may still feel guilt over your sin. Guilt will still hang around with us if we don't forgive ourselves. But sometimes feeling a little guilty is not necessarily a bad thing.
Guilt is a natural response from our conscience to remind us not to repeat those sins. Confess your sins and know that you are forgiven by God. Then remember to forgive yourself too, because the past is in the past and cannot be changed, but you still have control over what you do today and tomorrow.
God loves you. This is such a simple sentence but so mindblowingly amazing. And through that love, He gave His Son to pay the debt we owed because of our sins. And now we have this beautiful gift of forgiveness.
It is only selfish pride that would fight that gift. Only pride would say, "My sin was too much for Jesus to forgive." But 2 Corinthians 12:9 says that Christ is sufficient: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Remember, for a Christian, sin is the exception not the rule. God’s forgiveness doesn’t give us a blank cheque to continually sin. We can’t keep sinning with the thought that we can always ask for forgiveness later.
Confession of sin has to come with true repentance – turning away from sin and turning to God.
Our God is full of forgiveness and strength to help us overcome anything. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
Be looking for those "outs" that God will provide and TAKE THEM!
It is still a battle many times though isn’t it ?
Still struggling with the concept of God's fierce, pursuing love, especially because with committing the same sins over and over and fearing there is a point where He'll finally give up and walk out, like people do with people... trust God, know He's all powerful.
"Will God forgive me for _________?" Yes, yes, and yes. Whatever sin you can enter into that blank, the answer is this: Yes, God will forgive you. You may think your sin is so horrible that God could never forgive you, but it doesn't matter how big or small it is. God's forgiveness never runs out. Remember when they murdered Jesus on the cross? And yet He still said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).
First John 1:8-9says, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
When Jesus paid for our sins, He paid for all of them—past, present, and future. There is nothing you can do that He would have forgotten to cover or wouldn't want to cover. He paid the price for the entire human race and all our wickedness (Isaiah 53:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Salvation → Forgiveness
Salvation and forgiveness are linked. If you have received that salvation, which is forgiveness of sin, then you are fully forgiven of your whole debt of sin. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
If you have not received Christ as your Savior, then what are you waiting for? Tell Jesus that you believe He is Lord, and confess your sins so you can be forgiven!
This is both the hard part, and the best part. This forgiveness of sins is entirely through God's grace, and not our works. There is nothing you can do to earn forgiveness (Romans 3:20-22). Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Rest in that knowledge—that you do not need to work for salvation and forgiveness.
I may be forgiven, but I still feel guilty...
It's true. Even though you know you are forgiven, you may still feel guilt over your sin. Guilt will still hang around with us if we don't forgive ourselves. But sometimes feeling a little guilty is not necessarily a bad thing.
Guilt is a natural response from our conscience to remind us not to repeat those sins. Confess your sins and know that you are forgiven by God. Then remember to forgive yourself too, because the past is in the past and cannot be changed, but you still have control over what you do today and tomorrow.
God loves you. This is such a simple sentence but so mindblowingly amazing. And through that love, He gave His Son to pay the debt we owed because of our sins. And now we have this beautiful gift of forgiveness.
It is only selfish pride that would fight that gift. Only pride would say, "My sin was too much for Jesus to forgive." But 2 Corinthians 12:9 says that Christ is sufficient: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Remember, for a Christian, sin is the exception not the rule. God’s forgiveness doesn’t give us a blank cheque to continually sin. We can’t keep sinning with the thought that we can always ask for forgiveness later.
Confession of sin has to come with true repentance – turning away from sin and turning to God.
Our God is full of forgiveness and strength to help us overcome anything. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
Be looking for those "outs" that God will provide and TAKE THEM!
You are an essential part of the body
You, by the way, are already joined to the body if you're a Christian. The Apostle Paul made that clear, too ( check out 1 Corinthians 12). There's no deciding later if you like that body and want to be stuck to it. You already are. We can't detach ourselves from it any more than we can take out our own eye and insist we don't need it, we can see just fine without it, thank you very much.
We'd be poking ourselves in our own eye. And that's just dumb.
I know church can sometimes be boring. It can feel patronizing to a teen. It can be absolutely hurtful. But it's what God designed when he called us a body. He had in mind people who walked together, with the same goal. He did not have a picture of a bunch of individual eyes, noses, and kneecaps lying around telling one another, “Hey, I'm OK. I'm worshiping God over here. Going my own way. But it's all good.”
We can't say, “I don't need you.” When one part isn't contributing ideas, service, personality, or time, the church's mission isn't complete. God doesn't have a Plan B for His mission. The church is it. Not being a part of it is a much bigger issue then than just an empty seat in row four.
YOU matter and the Body of Christ needs you! As a teen, you are not “the church of the future”. You are a vital and integral part of the church right now.
Today, I want to encourage you to plug in!
Pastor Glenn
You, by the way, are already joined to the body if you're a Christian. The Apostle Paul made that clear, too ( check out 1 Corinthians 12). There's no deciding later if you like that body and want to be stuck to it. You already are. We can't detach ourselves from it any more than we can take out our own eye and insist we don't need it, we can see just fine without it, thank you very much.
We'd be poking ourselves in our own eye. And that's just dumb.
I know church can sometimes be boring. It can feel patronizing to a teen. It can be absolutely hurtful. But it's what God designed when he called us a body. He had in mind people who walked together, with the same goal. He did not have a picture of a bunch of individual eyes, noses, and kneecaps lying around telling one another, “Hey, I'm OK. I'm worshiping God over here. Going my own way. But it's all good.”
We can't say, “I don't need you.” When one part isn't contributing ideas, service, personality, or time, the church's mission isn't complete. God doesn't have a Plan B for His mission. The church is it. Not being a part of it is a much bigger issue then than just an empty seat in row four.
YOU matter and the Body of Christ needs you! As a teen, you are not “the church of the future”. You are a vital and integral part of the church right now.
Today, I want to encourage you to plug in!
Pastor Glenn
Sometimes I feel like a mistake
I like to think of God as an artist. I mean, think about it: sunsets, fall colors, flowers, the human body. It's all just one big piece of art. Like any artist, I criticize my works. In any stories, songs, or articles I write I find flaws. But does that mean there are flaws in God's works of art? Psalm 145:3 (NIV) says, "Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." God's greatness is so awesome that we literally can't even imagine it. If He were to make a mistake, just one teensy-tiny one, it would be considered fathomable. Therefore, God doesn't make mistakes.
What about my life?
Let's look at another example. Say…our lives. Sometimes you just get those days when you say to yourself, "Maybe God made a mistake with me. Maybe He screwed up when He created me, or when He let this or that happen." But wait! Before you think that again, what does the Bible say?
Romans 8:28 (NIV) says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." So not only does God not make mistakes in general, but He especially didn't make a mistake when He created YOU (or anyone else for that matter). Anything He does in your life is for your own good—no matter how much it doesn't seem like it.
If I could go back in time...
What would you do if you'd go back in time? I, for one, would want to fix every mistake I've ever made. Especially the ones that screwed up major aspects of my life. Now, God could go back in time, but has He ever reversed anything He did? Nope. See, that's the thing. God doesn't have to change anything, because He knows how everything is going to turn out. Everything that happens, He intended to happen. He has never made mistakes, and He never will.
It may be hard to imagine, but God already knows the ending to every person's story. Isaiah 46:9-10 (NIV) says, "Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, there is no other; I am God, there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'" He's known what was going to happen from the very beginning of everything, even before time existed. If I had known the ending to my story, I wouldn't be making stupid mistakes on my math tests and other things like that, lemme tell ya!
Did Jesus make mistakes?
God's son, Jesus, didn't make mistakes either. Luke 23:4 (NIV) says, "Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, 'I find no basis for a charge on this man.'" (Meaning that Jesus had no faults, no sins.) Jesus was a perfect man who lived a perfect, sinless life. If God had an imperfect Son, that would count as a mistake, because God and Jesus are a part of the same triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
Yes, I use a lot of rhetorical questions! XD
If you haven't noticed already, I like rhetorical questions. But guess what? (Yes, another rhetorical question!) The Bible has them too. Psalm 106:2 (NIV) says this: "Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?" This is basically saying that we can only make feeble attempts at saying all the wonderful, perfect things God has done. We couldn't name all of these perfect things even if we wanted to. We might end up naming every single atom in the world, which is a lot, and I wouldn't suggest trying it.
- Pastor Paul Jeffries
I like to think of God as an artist. I mean, think about it: sunsets, fall colors, flowers, the human body. It's all just one big piece of art. Like any artist, I criticize my works. In any stories, songs, or articles I write I find flaws. But does that mean there are flaws in God's works of art? Psalm 145:3 (NIV) says, "Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." God's greatness is so awesome that we literally can't even imagine it. If He were to make a mistake, just one teensy-tiny one, it would be considered fathomable. Therefore, God doesn't make mistakes.
What about my life?
Let's look at another example. Say…our lives. Sometimes you just get those days when you say to yourself, "Maybe God made a mistake with me. Maybe He screwed up when He created me, or when He let this or that happen." But wait! Before you think that again, what does the Bible say?
Romans 8:28 (NIV) says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." So not only does God not make mistakes in general, but He especially didn't make a mistake when He created YOU (or anyone else for that matter). Anything He does in your life is for your own good—no matter how much it doesn't seem like it.
If I could go back in time...
What would you do if you'd go back in time? I, for one, would want to fix every mistake I've ever made. Especially the ones that screwed up major aspects of my life. Now, God could go back in time, but has He ever reversed anything He did? Nope. See, that's the thing. God doesn't have to change anything, because He knows how everything is going to turn out. Everything that happens, He intended to happen. He has never made mistakes, and He never will.
It may be hard to imagine, but God already knows the ending to every person's story. Isaiah 46:9-10 (NIV) says, "Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, there is no other; I am God, there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'" He's known what was going to happen from the very beginning of everything, even before time existed. If I had known the ending to my story, I wouldn't be making stupid mistakes on my math tests and other things like that, lemme tell ya!
Did Jesus make mistakes?
God's son, Jesus, didn't make mistakes either. Luke 23:4 (NIV) says, "Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, 'I find no basis for a charge on this man.'" (Meaning that Jesus had no faults, no sins.) Jesus was a perfect man who lived a perfect, sinless life. If God had an imperfect Son, that would count as a mistake, because God and Jesus are a part of the same triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
Yes, I use a lot of rhetorical questions! XD
If you haven't noticed already, I like rhetorical questions. But guess what? (Yes, another rhetorical question!) The Bible has them too. Psalm 106:2 (NIV) says this: "Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?" This is basically saying that we can only make feeble attempts at saying all the wonderful, perfect things God has done. We couldn't name all of these perfect things even if we wanted to. We might end up naming every single atom in the world, which is a lot, and I wouldn't suggest trying it.
- Pastor Paul Jeffries
Is okay to be shy?
First off, lots of teens and even adults struggle with being shy. You're not some kind of social misfit for feeling this way. ;-) If you're in an unfamiliar or scary situation with people you don't know well, it's not totally uncommon to want to shrink back in fear or disappear into your own little corner.
But 2 Timothy 1:7 says that "God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." The Living Bible paraphrases this verse beautifully: "For the Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them."
Shyness usually manifests because of some kind of fear. It's one thing to be nervous about giving a speech in history class (public speaking is #1 on the list of fears; death is #2), but it's quite another to be so shy that you are unable to make friends or interact with people at all.
This kind of shyness is crippling to your life and is based on fear—fear that you won't be accepted, fear that people won't understand you, fear that you will fail. It is a self-centered state of being that reveals a heart that is desperately seeking approval from others.
But when you have God as your Heavenly Father, you can have confidence that He loves you dearly, that He is in control of every situation, and that He is working all things toward your best interests. He has already accepted you, and He is on your team. Romans 8:31 asks the question, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Read Psalm 19 to be encouraged about many of the things God wants to do for you. No, really, click that link and read it!
Seeking Acceptance
Extreme shyness or self-consciousness is, in a weird way, a form of pride. That sounds backward, but listen... We naturally want to be accepted by our fellow human beings; all of us do. But when that desire is so overwhelming that we forget who first accepted us when we were wretched and undesirable (1 John 4:19), then we have put the opinions of mankind over the opinions of God.
Colossians 3:1-3 says, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
In the words of David Crowder as he sings to God in Everything Glorious, "You make everything glorious / You make everything glorious / Yeah, You make everything glorious / And I am Yours / What does that make me?"
Don't Live in Fear of Failure
A shyness that causes you to live your life in fear of failure is not the ideal life to lead. I know it's hard to accept that not everyone will like you. But there are a lot of different people in the world, and it would be impossible to positively connect with everyone. In fact, the Bible says that if you live your life for Christ, then it's guaranteed that you'll tick someone off eventually (2 Timothy 3:12).
But remember, the opinions of people don't matter as much as God's opinion of you (Ephesians 6:6-7). And guess what? God thinks you're pretty awesome. :-)
Anyway, Proverbs 29:25 says, "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." That doesn't mean that life will be all puppy dogs and daisies and happiness, but it does mean that if we have God on our side, He will take care of us in both the good and bad times.
Don't allow your fear or self-consciousness to keep you from helping others! It may be a scary world out there, but God's got your back.
Overcoming Shyness
The key to overcoming painful shyness (or at least beginning to deal with it) is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent to help us (John 14:26). If we can learn to allow Him to give us strength instead of relying on ourselves (Isaiah 40:29), then we can better handle scary social situations. If we can learn to give Him control instead of making choices out of our own fear (Galatians 5:16), then it will help take some of the pressure off when faced with hard situations.
Instead of embracing fear, embrace your faith in God (Hebrews 11:6) and His love for you (1 John 4:18-19). How do you do this? Start by allowing yourself to melt into Scripture (Colossians 3:16; Romans 10:17). Reading the Bible and learning about God's character will help you understand that it is safe to put your confidence in Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
When you have God's power inside you and you are taking action based on love, then you have a better opportunity to shine His light onto others. You will be able to reach others and help them feel important, valued, appreciated. And isn't that what we all want? Don't let shyness get between you and giving that gift to someone else.
Practical Tips on Overcoming Shyness
Band together. When you see another shy person, approach them and strike up a conversation. It may be intimidating at first, but show them the acceptance that you have been given through Christ. Find out what you guys have in common (even if your commonality is at first only that you have a hard time coping with large groups of people!), then go from there.
Stop trying to be perfect. Everybody makes mistakes and messes up or looks like a fool occasionally. It happens. But remember: it happens to everybody. Laugh it off, and don't take your little mistakes too seriously. Sometimes a good mess up is the perfect way to start a conversation!
Get up and get out. Don't allow yourself to stay glued to your laptop or iPod in your tiny little bubble. Yes, our bubbles can be very nice, but it's good to invite people into your bubble once in a while. ;-) You can learn a lot from other people's thoughts and experiences, not to mention that you have a lot to offer them too.
First off, lots of teens and even adults struggle with being shy. You're not some kind of social misfit for feeling this way. ;-) If you're in an unfamiliar or scary situation with people you don't know well, it's not totally uncommon to want to shrink back in fear or disappear into your own little corner.
But 2 Timothy 1:7 says that "God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." The Living Bible paraphrases this verse beautifully: "For the Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them."
Shyness usually manifests because of some kind of fear. It's one thing to be nervous about giving a speech in history class (public speaking is #1 on the list of fears; death is #2), but it's quite another to be so shy that you are unable to make friends or interact with people at all.
This kind of shyness is crippling to your life and is based on fear—fear that you won't be accepted, fear that people won't understand you, fear that you will fail. It is a self-centered state of being that reveals a heart that is desperately seeking approval from others.
But when you have God as your Heavenly Father, you can have confidence that He loves you dearly, that He is in control of every situation, and that He is working all things toward your best interests. He has already accepted you, and He is on your team. Romans 8:31 asks the question, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Read Psalm 19 to be encouraged about many of the things God wants to do for you. No, really, click that link and read it!
Seeking Acceptance
Extreme shyness or self-consciousness is, in a weird way, a form of pride. That sounds backward, but listen... We naturally want to be accepted by our fellow human beings; all of us do. But when that desire is so overwhelming that we forget who first accepted us when we were wretched and undesirable (1 John 4:19), then we have put the opinions of mankind over the opinions of God.
Colossians 3:1-3 says, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
In the words of David Crowder as he sings to God in Everything Glorious, "You make everything glorious / You make everything glorious / Yeah, You make everything glorious / And I am Yours / What does that make me?"
Don't Live in Fear of Failure
A shyness that causes you to live your life in fear of failure is not the ideal life to lead. I know it's hard to accept that not everyone will like you. But there are a lot of different people in the world, and it would be impossible to positively connect with everyone. In fact, the Bible says that if you live your life for Christ, then it's guaranteed that you'll tick someone off eventually (2 Timothy 3:12).
But remember, the opinions of people don't matter as much as God's opinion of you (Ephesians 6:6-7). And guess what? God thinks you're pretty awesome. :-)
Anyway, Proverbs 29:25 says, "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." That doesn't mean that life will be all puppy dogs and daisies and happiness, but it does mean that if we have God on our side, He will take care of us in both the good and bad times.
Don't allow your fear or self-consciousness to keep you from helping others! It may be a scary world out there, but God's got your back.
Overcoming Shyness
The key to overcoming painful shyness (or at least beginning to deal with it) is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent to help us (John 14:26). If we can learn to allow Him to give us strength instead of relying on ourselves (Isaiah 40:29), then we can better handle scary social situations. If we can learn to give Him control instead of making choices out of our own fear (Galatians 5:16), then it will help take some of the pressure off when faced with hard situations.
Instead of embracing fear, embrace your faith in God (Hebrews 11:6) and His love for you (1 John 4:18-19). How do you do this? Start by allowing yourself to melt into Scripture (Colossians 3:16; Romans 10:17). Reading the Bible and learning about God's character will help you understand that it is safe to put your confidence in Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
When you have God's power inside you and you are taking action based on love, then you have a better opportunity to shine His light onto others. You will be able to reach others and help them feel important, valued, appreciated. And isn't that what we all want? Don't let shyness get between you and giving that gift to someone else.
Practical Tips on Overcoming Shyness
Band together. When you see another shy person, approach them and strike up a conversation. It may be intimidating at first, but show them the acceptance that you have been given through Christ. Find out what you guys have in common (even if your commonality is at first only that you have a hard time coping with large groups of people!), then go from there.
Stop trying to be perfect. Everybody makes mistakes and messes up or looks like a fool occasionally. It happens. But remember: it happens to everybody. Laugh it off, and don't take your little mistakes too seriously. Sometimes a good mess up is the perfect way to start a conversation!
Get up and get out. Don't allow yourself to stay glued to your laptop or iPod in your tiny little bubble. Yes, our bubbles can be very nice, but it's good to invite people into your bubble once in a while. ;-) You can learn a lot from other people's thoughts and experiences, not to mention that you have a lot to offer them too.
We’ve all encountered them. Those people who are just mean. They are all about themselves, they act like they own the world and they are just plain hard to get along with let alone like on any level.
So…..
What about the really difficult people? Surely I don’t have to love them?
The Bible’s pretty clear. As Christians we are to love each other. But what about those people who just seem really ‘difficult’? How do we love them?
There are different types of difficult people.
The personality clash
One kind is the difficult character, the ‘person-I-just-dont-get-on-with’. You might simply have a personality clash and see things very differently. Or they might unconsciously remind you of someone you’ve had a run-in with in the past.
If you are sure you’ve pulled all logs out of your eye, try seeing them in a different light. They have probably had various problems in their lives which have been really hard to live with. You might need to get a little bit of understanding into their situation. You don’t have to be their best friend, but don’t give up on them. See if you can find their good points – any good points at all! Thank God for their gifts and ask him to help you love them despite the things you find annoying. He will.
The awkward and unusual
The other kind of difficult people are the people who lack social awareness, or are a little bit weird, or hard to understand... or whatever.
I have a particular sensitivity to these people because I have an autistic son. I love my son desperately, but I often feel intense frustration with him when he finds it difficult to relate to others.
Why does this make it so hard to love people? Imagine it like playing tennis.
Relationships are like a game of tennis
Two people stand on opposite ends of the court. They hit the ball back and forth. To make it a game worth playing, they should both be able to hit back and forth pretty evenly.
There are always two players in any conversation. But if one player keeps dropping the ball, or doesn’t get what’s going on, the other must take on more responsibility to make sure the exchange doesn’t fail.
If you take on more responsibility in a conversation, you are ‘regulating’ for the other person. Regulating is not relaxing or easy. The more you have to regulate when you don’t expect it, the less comfortable the encounter or friendship. So if a person looks like she should be able to relate on a peer level, but you find that it’s not quite working and you have to change your game, it becomes awkward and difficult and you often want to leave or avoid that person forever.
Learning to love, like Christ loved us
There are definite Biblical principles to keep in mind here – being kind, seeing others as better than yourselves and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
You may never become best friends with a difficult person. However, you may choose (and I think it requires choice) to ask God to help you work with that person and actually be a friend to them.
I believe God gives us these people because we need to learn how to truly love. If we think about God’s love for us: he 'regulated' so much that he gave his son to die on the cross to fix up our relationship with him.
Loving difficult people can be painful and costly. It should be unconditional. You may not feel any benefits immediately. But you will learn to love the way God loves.
So…..
What about the really difficult people? Surely I don’t have to love them?
The Bible’s pretty clear. As Christians we are to love each other. But what about those people who just seem really ‘difficult’? How do we love them?
There are different types of difficult people.
The personality clash
One kind is the difficult character, the ‘person-I-just-dont-get-on-with’. You might simply have a personality clash and see things very differently. Or they might unconsciously remind you of someone you’ve had a run-in with in the past.
If you are sure you’ve pulled all logs out of your eye, try seeing them in a different light. They have probably had various problems in their lives which have been really hard to live with. You might need to get a little bit of understanding into their situation. You don’t have to be their best friend, but don’t give up on them. See if you can find their good points – any good points at all! Thank God for their gifts and ask him to help you love them despite the things you find annoying. He will.
The awkward and unusual
The other kind of difficult people are the people who lack social awareness, or are a little bit weird, or hard to understand... or whatever.
I have a particular sensitivity to these people because I have an autistic son. I love my son desperately, but I often feel intense frustration with him when he finds it difficult to relate to others.
Why does this make it so hard to love people? Imagine it like playing tennis.
Relationships are like a game of tennis
Two people stand on opposite ends of the court. They hit the ball back and forth. To make it a game worth playing, they should both be able to hit back and forth pretty evenly.
There are always two players in any conversation. But if one player keeps dropping the ball, or doesn’t get what’s going on, the other must take on more responsibility to make sure the exchange doesn’t fail.
If you take on more responsibility in a conversation, you are ‘regulating’ for the other person. Regulating is not relaxing or easy. The more you have to regulate when you don’t expect it, the less comfortable the encounter or friendship. So if a person looks like she should be able to relate on a peer level, but you find that it’s not quite working and you have to change your game, it becomes awkward and difficult and you often want to leave or avoid that person forever.
Learning to love, like Christ loved us
There are definite Biblical principles to keep in mind here – being kind, seeing others as better than yourselves and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
You may never become best friends with a difficult person. However, you may choose (and I think it requires choice) to ask God to help you work with that person and actually be a friend to them.
I believe God gives us these people because we need to learn how to truly love. If we think about God’s love for us: he 'regulated' so much that he gave his son to die on the cross to fix up our relationship with him.
Loving difficult people can be painful and costly. It should be unconditional. You may not feel any benefits immediately. But you will learn to love the way God loves.
Sometimes a person may be the only Christian in their family. Their family may not go to church or may forbid another family member to attend church.... what then ?
Can someone still go to Heaven if they don't go to church?
First off, a word of encouragement: If you have believed that Jesus is your Savior, who died on the cross to pay the price for your sins, then YES, you will go to Heaven.
In Acts 16:30, the apostle Paul and his friend Silas are in jail, and the guard is curious about what they've been talking about. He asks them, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The answer is the same for us today: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Going to church is not going to save you from your sins; only faith in Jesus Christ will do that. God has separated you from your sins "as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12).
Likewise, even tithing or making any donations to a church or Christian organization is NOT a requirement for salvation. Giving money toward God's work is a good thing, but it will not save us. Only faith in Christ will save us.
That said, the Bible DOES tell us that all believers need to attend church so that we can worship God, be taught from His Word (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25), and have relationships with other believers. These are all important parts of growing closer to God and learning to live your life for Him. It gives you a structure that can help keep you focused on serving Him and serving others.
So while church attendance or tithing is not going to guarantee you eternal life, it will help you grow spiritually as a Christian.
But what can you do if your family doesn't go to church? How can you grow spiritually? You can't help it if you don't have a ride or you aren't allowed. Maybe you have a part-time job that interferes with Sunday morning plans. Maybe you're living in a country such as China where going to church isn't an option for you at all—unless you want to get arrested or worse.
These are all difficult circumstances, but you are not alone in your dilemma. Be assured that other Christians around the world are facing similar problems. Here are a few suggestions if you find yourself in one of these situations...
If there are churches around your city
but you can't get to them:
Talk to your parents. Let them know that you want to go to church. If they don't care either way, maybe they can figure out a way to drop you off and pick you up on Sunday or even a Saturday night service. Either way, it is really necessary for you to let them know that going to church is important to you.
Go with a friend! Do you have any friends or other nearby family members who go to church? Ask your parents for permission to go with a friend, and maybe your friend's parents can drive you.
If it is illegal to attend church where you live:
Find other believers. The main point of church is to get believers together to encourage one another in their faith. You could start a quiet, underground group that meets regularly—off the grid. Avoid putting meeting dates or locations on the internet or printed paper; keep it as a word-of-mouth spread of info only.
If it is illegal to own a Bible but you have internet access, there are lots of websites that provide free access to the entire Bible. (Like Patch!)
These are hard times for many Christians in restricted countries, but the eternal benefits are worth the hardships we have to deal with in this life on earth (Colossians 1:11-14).
You don't need a church to have Church.
Worship doesn't have to take place at a church building to happen. You can worship God anywhere (Psalm 150:1-6; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 13:15; Romans 12:1). Try to develop friendships with other believers in your circles and/or your family. You can still have community and accountability with other believers even if you don't attend a church; it just take a bit more effort. ;-)
If you absolutely cannot attend church for whatever reason, then it is absolutely vital that you read the Bible and pray as much as possible. Take time every day to study His Word, talk to God, and ask Him to connect you with other believers in your area or even online. Ask Him to help you learn what He wants you to do in your life and for the strength to do it.
If nothing else can be done, prayer is the most important thing you could do. Don't go without prayer for even a day! Keep praying and studying His Word on your own as much as possible.
"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." — Colossians 1:11-14
One more note: There are a lot of churches out there. Many do do preach the Word of God and below the surface are nothing more than superficial nonsense. Ask God to help you find a Bible believing church with genuine born again people who love God. Get involved - plug in !
Have you ever been told to walk by faith, not by sight? I think many of us have heard this before. And it's a good admonition, because the concept comes straight from the Bible. The verse is found in 2 Corinthians 5:7, where Paul is talking about our temporal home, which he refers to as the earth and our physical body. He's comparing it to the promise of one day living in heaven with the Lord and how great that will be. Paul is basically saying, "Yes, we know this is true but sometimes it's hard to believe it based on our earthly difficulties and circumstances." But he concludes that we can walk by faith (what we don't see) and not by sight (what we do see). I think we'd all agree that's what we should do. So how does that work?
Walk by Faith: 3 Tips
Let's talk about 3 things that will help you. Today many people want direction for their lives. They want to know the purpose God has created them for and also how to make a difference. And they also want to know how circumstances will work out ahead of time. Also, we all want to understand how God will answer our prayers and how He'll remedy our difficult situations. So is it possible to know? Should we expect to have details to these things since we are told not to live by sight alone? Well, it depends. Here are 3 things which are vital if you're going to do what Paul suggested.
1. Faith rests on something
The first step to walking by faith is believing that something will come to pass, regardless of what we might see right now. By definition, "faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) But what should you put your faith in? We all have personal dreams and desires. Sometimes we are guilty of wanting something to happen and then assuming it's God's will. We place faith in it coming to pass, but are sometimes disappointed when it doesn't happen. How can this be avoided? Be sure to make the distinction between something God has promised you and a personal wish list. For example, God told Abram to leave his country and go to a place that God would show later him. Abram's faith rested on what God told him to do and what he had promised, not his own whim or idea. It can sometimes be difficult to know the difference between our thoughts and God's thoughts, so it's important to first lift up our ideas and desires to Him and ask for assurance that He is behind our plan. Faith starts by resting on a God idea, not a personal idea. It's not always easy to know, but this is a skill you can hone and you'll get better at knowing the difference over time.
2. Faith will be tested and present a choice
Once you set out believing a promise circumstances will test your mind. Paul understood that faith requires a decision to believe in something even when it seems unlikely. To this point he said in Romans 8:24, "... hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?" I don't know about you, but I don't always like uncertainty and having to believe in something that seems unlikely. It's hard. It seems like others around us don't have it so difficult. Instead, they can just make decisions based on empirical options and mainly skip the whole unseen part. But not us. Not if we're going to walk by faith. The verse above says that it's easy to hope in what you already see or have, but, that doesn't require much faith, does it? Instead, walking by faith inevitably brings us face to face with circumstances that challenge our hope and our belief because they appear quite opposite of the outcome we desire. To go back to Abram, he had faith that God would give him a child because He had promised to do so. But, God waited until Abram was so old that he didn't have the ability to make one! In this case, Abram had a choice. Was he going to give up walking by faith and instead choose sight, or was he going to believe God had the ability to do what He had said? Well, Abram made some mistakes much like we do, but ultimately God's mercy prevailed. Abram believed God was able to do it, and the rest is history. If you belong to Christ, you are a beneficiary of Abraham's fulfilled promise today. Faith requires hoping in your promise when it seems unlikely, but hang on, because it's worth it.
3. Faith requires trust
Perhaps the most difficult thing about walking by faith and not by sight is that it requires trust. Now trust isn't hard in itself, but it can be extremely difficult if you've been let down or hurt by others. We often equate God to being like other people who have said one thing, yet did something entirely different altogether. We've all had it happen to us before. Someone that we know extends a promise to us and we have no reason to expect they wouldn't fulfill it. But then they break their word. One time, I had a business partner on a 42 unit apartment building that we planned a business deal on. The plan was to improve a number of things with the property and increase its' market value for resale. We decided on a plan and a timeline. I led the project and worked like crazy to get this done, and these were difficult tasks. I had to increase below market rents that the previous owner allowed to lapse for years and were now well below the current market. I also had to deal with drug dealers and shady characters in the building and get them out. I went through 2 maintenance people. One went into a depression and locked himself in his apartment and refused to move out. The other one had a cocaine addiction and also a master key to the units. It was a nightmare. At times I was down at the property in the middle of the night with the police (my wife didn't like that), and I spent countless hours getting the wrong people out and the right people in. But we achieved our goal after 1.5 years. So the time came to sell the property, and I even found a buyer who wrote a great offer. But wait, there's more. My partner had the majority interest, and he changed his mind at the last minute and blew the deal. Long story short, he had the legal right to prevail and there I was with my equity stuck in the property and over 1.5 years of hard work sidelined. I was feeling very slighted to say the least. I was disappointed, upset, and even angry because this person was a Christian. Why wasn't he keeping his word?? It would take me 2 more years to unwind myself, get compensated, and move on. I learned a few things about partnerships.
I'm sure you've had different situations but similar stories. It's not easy when people change their minds and let us down, and this has an effect on our trust over time. If we're not careful, this can affect our ability to trust God, too. So what can we do about it? We have to repair broken expectations from the past and choose to trust in God anyway. Trust in God is the only way to walk by faith and not by sight. Proverbs 3:5-6 says to
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Walking by faith requires that we set aside our own understanding at times, and trust in Him anyway. This is hard, but it's worth the risk. If you have a situation that you're facing right now and you can't understand how it is going to work out, choose to trust in Him the best you can. He is faithful and will take the little bit that you can muster and do amazing things with it. All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed to get started.
Summary:
So do you want to walk by faith and not by sight? Then put these 3 tips to work for yourself in your current situation.
1. Let your faith rest on a promise
2. Expect circumstances to test your hope, yet choose to believe anyway
3. Put your trust in Him, not in you
I know past situations can make this really difficult, and if you need extra help overcoming disappointment you should get some resources. Whatever you do, don't give up and keep moving forward. Despite our mistakes (like Abram), God is merciful and is even faithful when we're not. (1 Timothy 2:13) Let that be your confidence, and especially know that what God has promised, He is able to do. That's what he promised Abram, and that's what He has promised you and me as well.
Praying that you walk in faith today.
Pastor Glenn
Walk by Faith: 3 Tips
Let's talk about 3 things that will help you. Today many people want direction for their lives. They want to know the purpose God has created them for and also how to make a difference. And they also want to know how circumstances will work out ahead of time. Also, we all want to understand how God will answer our prayers and how He'll remedy our difficult situations. So is it possible to know? Should we expect to have details to these things since we are told not to live by sight alone? Well, it depends. Here are 3 things which are vital if you're going to do what Paul suggested.
1. Faith rests on something
The first step to walking by faith is believing that something will come to pass, regardless of what we might see right now. By definition, "faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) But what should you put your faith in? We all have personal dreams and desires. Sometimes we are guilty of wanting something to happen and then assuming it's God's will. We place faith in it coming to pass, but are sometimes disappointed when it doesn't happen. How can this be avoided? Be sure to make the distinction between something God has promised you and a personal wish list. For example, God told Abram to leave his country and go to a place that God would show later him. Abram's faith rested on what God told him to do and what he had promised, not his own whim or idea. It can sometimes be difficult to know the difference between our thoughts and God's thoughts, so it's important to first lift up our ideas and desires to Him and ask for assurance that He is behind our plan. Faith starts by resting on a God idea, not a personal idea. It's not always easy to know, but this is a skill you can hone and you'll get better at knowing the difference over time.
2. Faith will be tested and present a choice
Once you set out believing a promise circumstances will test your mind. Paul understood that faith requires a decision to believe in something even when it seems unlikely. To this point he said in Romans 8:24, "... hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?" I don't know about you, but I don't always like uncertainty and having to believe in something that seems unlikely. It's hard. It seems like others around us don't have it so difficult. Instead, they can just make decisions based on empirical options and mainly skip the whole unseen part. But not us. Not if we're going to walk by faith. The verse above says that it's easy to hope in what you already see or have, but, that doesn't require much faith, does it? Instead, walking by faith inevitably brings us face to face with circumstances that challenge our hope and our belief because they appear quite opposite of the outcome we desire. To go back to Abram, he had faith that God would give him a child because He had promised to do so. But, God waited until Abram was so old that he didn't have the ability to make one! In this case, Abram had a choice. Was he going to give up walking by faith and instead choose sight, or was he going to believe God had the ability to do what He had said? Well, Abram made some mistakes much like we do, but ultimately God's mercy prevailed. Abram believed God was able to do it, and the rest is history. If you belong to Christ, you are a beneficiary of Abraham's fulfilled promise today. Faith requires hoping in your promise when it seems unlikely, but hang on, because it's worth it.
3. Faith requires trust
Perhaps the most difficult thing about walking by faith and not by sight is that it requires trust. Now trust isn't hard in itself, but it can be extremely difficult if you've been let down or hurt by others. We often equate God to being like other people who have said one thing, yet did something entirely different altogether. We've all had it happen to us before. Someone that we know extends a promise to us and we have no reason to expect they wouldn't fulfill it. But then they break their word. One time, I had a business partner on a 42 unit apartment building that we planned a business deal on. The plan was to improve a number of things with the property and increase its' market value for resale. We decided on a plan and a timeline. I led the project and worked like crazy to get this done, and these were difficult tasks. I had to increase below market rents that the previous owner allowed to lapse for years and were now well below the current market. I also had to deal with drug dealers and shady characters in the building and get them out. I went through 2 maintenance people. One went into a depression and locked himself in his apartment and refused to move out. The other one had a cocaine addiction and also a master key to the units. It was a nightmare. At times I was down at the property in the middle of the night with the police (my wife didn't like that), and I spent countless hours getting the wrong people out and the right people in. But we achieved our goal after 1.5 years. So the time came to sell the property, and I even found a buyer who wrote a great offer. But wait, there's more. My partner had the majority interest, and he changed his mind at the last minute and blew the deal. Long story short, he had the legal right to prevail and there I was with my equity stuck in the property and over 1.5 years of hard work sidelined. I was feeling very slighted to say the least. I was disappointed, upset, and even angry because this person was a Christian. Why wasn't he keeping his word?? It would take me 2 more years to unwind myself, get compensated, and move on. I learned a few things about partnerships.
I'm sure you've had different situations but similar stories. It's not easy when people change their minds and let us down, and this has an effect on our trust over time. If we're not careful, this can affect our ability to trust God, too. So what can we do about it? We have to repair broken expectations from the past and choose to trust in God anyway. Trust in God is the only way to walk by faith and not by sight. Proverbs 3:5-6 says to
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Walking by faith requires that we set aside our own understanding at times, and trust in Him anyway. This is hard, but it's worth the risk. If you have a situation that you're facing right now and you can't understand how it is going to work out, choose to trust in Him the best you can. He is faithful and will take the little bit that you can muster and do amazing things with it. All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed to get started.
Summary:
So do you want to walk by faith and not by sight? Then put these 3 tips to work for yourself in your current situation.
1. Let your faith rest on a promise
2. Expect circumstances to test your hope, yet choose to believe anyway
3. Put your trust in Him, not in you
I know past situations can make this really difficult, and if you need extra help overcoming disappointment you should get some resources. Whatever you do, don't give up and keep moving forward. Despite our mistakes (like Abram), God is merciful and is even faithful when we're not. (1 Timothy 2:13) Let that be your confidence, and especially know that what God has promised, He is able to do. That's what he promised Abram, and that's what He has promised you and me as well.
Praying that you walk in faith today.
Pastor Glenn
“The Patience Choice”
My dad used to tell me, "Patience is a virtue," At the time, I was in a I-don't-care state of mind, I never really thought about what that meant (other than that the appropriate response was to roll my eyes). What he meant was that having patience shows a higher standard of morals than losing my temper and getting frustrated about having to wait. As a non-Christian teenager, I'm not sure if "proving I have high morals" would have been a convincing enough argument. But now that I'm a believer, I definitely see the value of reigning in my anger.
Our patience gets tested every day. When we have to wait in line for lunch, wait to be called on in class, wait to get that news we've been wanting to hear. Whenever we get the sense that our precious minutes are being wasted, our patience gets pushed and stretched. We might even feel justified in our impatience when our personal rights get violated or when we're treated unfairly, like what happens when somebody taunts or bullies you.
In the face of irritations, trials, and annoyances, we often feel like it's okay to get impatient or mad. But as followers of Christ, we were called to act differently from the world (Romans 12:2), and being patient when patience is not "deserved" is a part of that difference.
The Bible calls patience a "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22), which means that patience adorns our bodies like a beautiful apple on a tree that is fed by living water. Because of the Holy Spirit, we can choose to use patience (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Our patience shows the unbelieving world that we have faith in God's timing, God's plan, and His love for us, because we believe He knows best.
Is having patience like giving up the fight?
Not at all! In fact, most of the words that are translated as "patience" are active, vigorous words in the original language. Let's look at Psalm 37:7: "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" The Hebrew word for "patiently" is chuwl which literally means "to twist, whirl, dance, writhe." In this verse, to "wait patiently" means dancing wildly (probably mentally!) as you wait for God to avenge the injustices done by evildoers. Sounds a bit like a little kid taunting his tormentors with, "Just wait until my dad hears about this! You're gonna be in truuuuuuble!" XD
How long will it take for me to become
more patient?
Growing fruit on a tree doesn't happen overnight, and that goes for fruits of the Spirit too. ;-) But through God's goodness and power, we have the ability to develop patience over time (Colossians 1:11).
James 1:3-4 tells us that we will learn to perfect patience through the various trials we face in our lives. Yes, when you have to put up with that super slow person in front of you or a younger sibling who takes five hours to tie his shoes, taking a breath and being patient will help you grow this holy fruit in your heart. When a bully is being a pain as usual or making fun of your hair or your clothes, be patient because you can be sure that God will avenge you when the time is right (Psalm 37:7; James 5:7-8). "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him" (Lamentations 3:25).
How can I be patient when I'm hurting?
Even though we can develop our patience through trials, it's definitely not an easy thing to do. Nobody really enjoys being hurt or suffering—especially for what may seem like pointless reasons. In the Bible, James uses the prophets as an example of having patience in the face of suffering. He talks about Job and how his faith in God's compassion and mercy remained strong even after he had lost everything (James 5:10-11). Abraham, too, waited patiently until he was an old man and eventually "received what was promised," a son (Hebrews 6:15).
Our best example of patience through trials is in the life of Jesus. He put up with a LOT of pain, suffering, bullying, and general torment. (See the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.) But in the end, as He hung painfully crucified, an innocent man, Jesus still showed patient endurance and was rewarded: "Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
God willing, none of us will ever have to suffer in the way Jesus or Job did. And hopefully none of us will have to wait until we are 90 or 100 years old to have children like Sarah and Abraham (Genesis 21:5). But in this life, we will still face troubles (John 16:33), and patience will help us get through those. Patience will make us stronger every time we choose to put it into practice.
How can I be more patient?
Take a breath! And maybe close your eyes for a few seconds and count back from ten. It can be tough to focus on patience when we're hopped up on anger or a sense of wasted time, so giving yourself a couple seconds to remove your brain from the frustrations can help a lot. Every situation is going to be
My dad used to tell me, "Patience is a virtue," At the time, I was in a I-don't-care state of mind, I never really thought about what that meant (other than that the appropriate response was to roll my eyes). What he meant was that having patience shows a higher standard of morals than losing my temper and getting frustrated about having to wait. As a non-Christian teenager, I'm not sure if "proving I have high morals" would have been a convincing enough argument. But now that I'm a believer, I definitely see the value of reigning in my anger.
Our patience gets tested every day. When we have to wait in line for lunch, wait to be called on in class, wait to get that news we've been wanting to hear. Whenever we get the sense that our precious minutes are being wasted, our patience gets pushed and stretched. We might even feel justified in our impatience when our personal rights get violated or when we're treated unfairly, like what happens when somebody taunts or bullies you.
In the face of irritations, trials, and annoyances, we often feel like it's okay to get impatient or mad. But as followers of Christ, we were called to act differently from the world (Romans 12:2), and being patient when patience is not "deserved" is a part of that difference.
The Bible calls patience a "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22), which means that patience adorns our bodies like a beautiful apple on a tree that is fed by living water. Because of the Holy Spirit, we can choose to use patience (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Our patience shows the unbelieving world that we have faith in God's timing, God's plan, and His love for us, because we believe He knows best.
Is having patience like giving up the fight?
Not at all! In fact, most of the words that are translated as "patience" are active, vigorous words in the original language. Let's look at Psalm 37:7: "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!" The Hebrew word for "patiently" is chuwl which literally means "to twist, whirl, dance, writhe." In this verse, to "wait patiently" means dancing wildly (probably mentally!) as you wait for God to avenge the injustices done by evildoers. Sounds a bit like a little kid taunting his tormentors with, "Just wait until my dad hears about this! You're gonna be in truuuuuuble!" XD
How long will it take for me to become
more patient?
Growing fruit on a tree doesn't happen overnight, and that goes for fruits of the Spirit too. ;-) But through God's goodness and power, we have the ability to develop patience over time (Colossians 1:11).
James 1:3-4 tells us that we will learn to perfect patience through the various trials we face in our lives. Yes, when you have to put up with that super slow person in front of you or a younger sibling who takes five hours to tie his shoes, taking a breath and being patient will help you grow this holy fruit in your heart. When a bully is being a pain as usual or making fun of your hair or your clothes, be patient because you can be sure that God will avenge you when the time is right (Psalm 37:7; James 5:7-8). "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him" (Lamentations 3:25).
How can I be patient when I'm hurting?
Even though we can develop our patience through trials, it's definitely not an easy thing to do. Nobody really enjoys being hurt or suffering—especially for what may seem like pointless reasons. In the Bible, James uses the prophets as an example of having patience in the face of suffering. He talks about Job and how his faith in God's compassion and mercy remained strong even after he had lost everything (James 5:10-11). Abraham, too, waited patiently until he was an old man and eventually "received what was promised," a son (Hebrews 6:15).
Our best example of patience through trials is in the life of Jesus. He put up with a LOT of pain, suffering, bullying, and general torment. (See the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.) But in the end, as He hung painfully crucified, an innocent man, Jesus still showed patient endurance and was rewarded: "Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
God willing, none of us will ever have to suffer in the way Jesus or Job did. And hopefully none of us will have to wait until we are 90 or 100 years old to have children like Sarah and Abraham (Genesis 21:5). But in this life, we will still face troubles (John 16:33), and patience will help us get through those. Patience will make us stronger every time we choose to put it into practice.
How can I be more patient?
Take a breath! And maybe close your eyes for a few seconds and count back from ten. It can be tough to focus on patience when we're hopped up on anger or a sense of wasted time, so giving yourself a couple seconds to remove your brain from the frustrations can help a lot. Every situation is going to be
Slow down. Be Still. Reconnect with God.
Researchers released a study recently that found out something, uh, shocking. Given the task of spending fifteen minutes alone with nothing but their own thoughts, more than half the people in the study chose to give themselves electric jolts just to have some kind of outside stimulation.
Yes —many ”normal” people would rather give themselves a painful shock than sit without noise, or at least an internet connection, for fifteen minutes.
Too much tech?
It might surprise you to find out that Steve Jobs was a low-tech parent. His kids didn't have iPhones. In fact, most Silicon Valley execs keep tight reins on family use of electronics. They know, better than anyone, how controlling those things can be and how dangerous the online world can get.
Plus, you know that glazed-eye feeling when you've sat looking at Youtube for just too long. It's so easy to stay there. A click is a lot less work than thinking of something else to do. The average teenager spends the equivalent of a full time job looking at screens. That's a lot of hours of cat videos.
Even though teens are tech savvy and able to work the world of technology better than their parents, there is one tech area they haven't mastered as well — how to be unavailable when they want to be.
Can you separate yourself from your phone?
The feeling that you have to answer every text, respond to every notification, or snapchat every moment of your life can get really stressful. You start to feel like you have no time that's just yours. No chance to get away from being “on call” 24/7. If anyone can claim your attention, and demand your response, at any time, through a dozen different formats, where is your freedom to choose your own space?
Maybe we'd be more able to handle fifteen minutes of quiet if we ever actually had it in our lives.
Isn't there something just a little funny (and not funny in a good way) about that little rectangle thing in your hand telling you what to do when? When did it become the boss of you? Here are a few ideas for taking back your ability to choose when, and to whom, you respond.
Four ways to find quiet
1. Choose “zones” that are unavailable. Driving, obviously, is the number one. Everyone who calls me knows I won't ever answer a text while I'm driving. Ever. And they're OK with that. Generally, your friends want you to stay alive, so if anyone gives you a hard time about this? I'd kind of question their motivation there.
Find other spaces you're going to choose to say, “I'm not listening.” Mealtimes. An hour before sleep. Real face time out with friends. All of them are good options for making a commitment to “just saying no” to interruptions and demands.
2. Make other plans. If you're not around a screen, you can't use it, can you? So choose to make plans to go out with friends to do something active (don't go to a restaurant with TVs or a movie.) Volunteer somewhere. Get outside and take a hike, learn to geocache, or clean up a playground. Take an art class. Make a list somewhere (on your phone!) of things to do when you know you should get away from that screen. Otherwise, it won't happen. The lure of the click is too strong.
3. Choose a fast. Every once in a while, decide to go on a fast from electronics (have sane exceptions, like you will return your parents' texts when they ask if you're still alive). You pick for how long—a day, a week, a month. The point is to do it. You'll be surprised at how free you start to feel after the first hours of panic pass.
You can make this competitive, too. Do it with a group of friends. Whenever someone cheats, he or she is honor bound to put a dollar in the group pot. At the end of the fast, everyone go out and use the money to do something fun (chosen by the person who put in the least amount of money).
4. Talk about it. Talk to your parents, or someone you trust, about anything you find uncomfortable in media. Especially talk about it if you see, or are a victim of, cyber bullying. You're definitely not alone. Talk to your parents if you feel like they are spending too much time staring at screens and not enough with family (yes, I do hear teens saying this). Talk about holding each other accountable for being unplugged.
Reconnect with God
We live in a world that will overwhelm us with its demands to be noticed, listened to, and commented upon. We have to admit, sometimes we're afraid if we don't comment, if we don't post a status, if we aren't 'liked' enough times, we're not worth our space in the galaxy.
But the truth is, you're worth your space because God says you're His, not because you got ten more Happy Birthday wishes than Jacob or Madison. He has dreams and goals for us, and we can't hear them if we're stuck full-throttle open taking in everything else.
I need quiet. So do you. Not just because it's healthier, but because I don't want to miss what God has to say to me about His plans for me. He's the only one I want to be available to, 24/7.
Researchers released a study recently that found out something, uh, shocking. Given the task of spending fifteen minutes alone with nothing but their own thoughts, more than half the people in the study chose to give themselves electric jolts just to have some kind of outside stimulation.
Yes —many ”normal” people would rather give themselves a painful shock than sit without noise, or at least an internet connection, for fifteen minutes.
Too much tech?
It might surprise you to find out that Steve Jobs was a low-tech parent. His kids didn't have iPhones. In fact, most Silicon Valley execs keep tight reins on family use of electronics. They know, better than anyone, how controlling those things can be and how dangerous the online world can get.
Plus, you know that glazed-eye feeling when you've sat looking at Youtube for just too long. It's so easy to stay there. A click is a lot less work than thinking of something else to do. The average teenager spends the equivalent of a full time job looking at screens. That's a lot of hours of cat videos.
Even though teens are tech savvy and able to work the world of technology better than their parents, there is one tech area they haven't mastered as well — how to be unavailable when they want to be.
Can you separate yourself from your phone?
The feeling that you have to answer every text, respond to every notification, or snapchat every moment of your life can get really stressful. You start to feel like you have no time that's just yours. No chance to get away from being “on call” 24/7. If anyone can claim your attention, and demand your response, at any time, through a dozen different formats, where is your freedom to choose your own space?
Maybe we'd be more able to handle fifteen minutes of quiet if we ever actually had it in our lives.
Isn't there something just a little funny (and not funny in a good way) about that little rectangle thing in your hand telling you what to do when? When did it become the boss of you? Here are a few ideas for taking back your ability to choose when, and to whom, you respond.
Four ways to find quiet
1. Choose “zones” that are unavailable. Driving, obviously, is the number one. Everyone who calls me knows I won't ever answer a text while I'm driving. Ever. And they're OK with that. Generally, your friends want you to stay alive, so if anyone gives you a hard time about this? I'd kind of question their motivation there.
Find other spaces you're going to choose to say, “I'm not listening.” Mealtimes. An hour before sleep. Real face time out with friends. All of them are good options for making a commitment to “just saying no” to interruptions and demands.
2. Make other plans. If you're not around a screen, you can't use it, can you? So choose to make plans to go out with friends to do something active (don't go to a restaurant with TVs or a movie.) Volunteer somewhere. Get outside and take a hike, learn to geocache, or clean up a playground. Take an art class. Make a list somewhere (on your phone!) of things to do when you know you should get away from that screen. Otherwise, it won't happen. The lure of the click is too strong.
3. Choose a fast. Every once in a while, decide to go on a fast from electronics (have sane exceptions, like you will return your parents' texts when they ask if you're still alive). You pick for how long—a day, a week, a month. The point is to do it. You'll be surprised at how free you start to feel after the first hours of panic pass.
You can make this competitive, too. Do it with a group of friends. Whenever someone cheats, he or she is honor bound to put a dollar in the group pot. At the end of the fast, everyone go out and use the money to do something fun (chosen by the person who put in the least amount of money).
4. Talk about it. Talk to your parents, or someone you trust, about anything you find uncomfortable in media. Especially talk about it if you see, or are a victim of, cyber bullying. You're definitely not alone. Talk to your parents if you feel like they are spending too much time staring at screens and not enough with family (yes, I do hear teens saying this). Talk about holding each other accountable for being unplugged.
Reconnect with God
We live in a world that will overwhelm us with its demands to be noticed, listened to, and commented upon. We have to admit, sometimes we're afraid if we don't comment, if we don't post a status, if we aren't 'liked' enough times, we're not worth our space in the galaxy.
But the truth is, you're worth your space because God says you're His, not because you got ten more Happy Birthday wishes than Jacob or Madison. He has dreams and goals for us, and we can't hear them if we're stuck full-throttle open taking in everything else.
I need quiet. So do you. Not just because it's healthier, but because I don't want to miss what God has to say to me about His plans for me. He's the only one I want to be available to, 24/7.
??? God
Things in life don’t always make sense do they? We look at what’s happening and it’s easy to say “God, why?”
We do have the freedom to talk to God about anything—even if it is to ask Him why He allowed (or didn't allow) something to happen. In Habakkuk, you'll find the prophet questioning God's choices about timing and how He carried out His plans. Right in verse one, he cries out, "O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?"
Instead of getting upset with Habakkuk, God answered Him quite patiently, explaining why He did what He did, reminding him how He had saved Him in the past, and giving him encouragement for the future. In the end, Habakkuk praised God for His wisdom and protection, at one point saying, "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:18).
Now, keep in mind that God doesn't always answer this clearly or in the way we want Him to. After all, it's not like He's a machine through which we can place orders. But you can be assured that He will always be honest, and He will always tell you what you need to hear when you need to hear it. Trust that His timing is right in how much He reveals to you.
The Right Attitude
There is nothing wrong with asking God, "Why did this happen?" or even saying, "I wish this didn't happen." God knows what's going on in your heart, and He welcomes you to talk to Him about the things that worry you. But make sure that you are being honest with Him too and giving Him the right attitude.
What is the right attitude to have when questioning God? Hebrews 11:6 says that "anyone who comes to [God] must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." God will listen to the prayers of those believe.
Having doubts is one thing and a totally natural and normal thing to feel. We all sometimes wonder why things happen the way they do. God would love to talk to you about your doubts. He's not intimidated or afraid of anything we have to say. He loves you and wants to communicate with Him.
On the other hand, having a bitter or untrusting heart that approaches God with a rebellious spirit is definitely another thing. Attacking God's ability to make the best choices for us or demeaning His character is both disrespectful and hypocritical. When we come to God that way, it's like we're throwing a tantrum instead of truly seeking an answer—simply venting rage instead of looking for actual help.
Think of it this way: it's the difference between an angry little toddler who screams, "You're the worst mom ever!" and a kid who is honestly saying, "Why did this happen to me?"
When you want to "question God," do a quick heart check. Are you approaching Him humbly? Is your mind open to what He has to say? Or are you just trying to vent? You can't expect an answer unless you're genuinely interested in His answer.
Tuck this in your heart: We don’t always need to know the how’s and why’s, we just need to trust the one with the plan.
Your future.
We live in a time when there is so much going on. There a so many things grabbing for our attention. There are priorities and commitments we have to make on a day to day. It’s easy to become focused and absorbed in the right here and now isn’t it? There’s enough going on right now that thoughts of the future can get a person worked up into a complete tailspin. Been there? Are you there right now?
God designed you for a purpose. You are part of an amazing plan and there is hope! Be encouraged today.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Because He has already drawn up our total life plan, we don’t need know what the future holds for us but who holds the future for us! David said to God, “As for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, You are my God. My times are in your hand. Do not let me be ashamed!” (Psa 31:14,15,17).
The question and the challenge today is are you willing to trust him unconditionally not only for your day to day but with your future?
Jesus asked, “Which of you by worrying can add one foot to his height? Therefore do not worry, saying, what shall we eat, drink or wear? But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these (material) things shall be added to you” (Mt 6:27-33).
Instead of worrying, give yourself to praying. The best thing to do about worry is to unload it on God.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6,7).
I remember a promise my grandmother taught me to memorize: “Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing” (Psa 34:10).
Don’t live your life in fear of the “what if’s” in your future. Walk by faith and not sight. Release your future into God’s hands. Your act of faith and release gives God the latitude he needs to accomplish his plans and purposes for you.
We live in a time when there is so much going on. There a so many things grabbing for our attention. There are priorities and commitments we have to make on a day to day. It’s easy to become focused and absorbed in the right here and now isn’t it? There’s enough going on right now that thoughts of the future can get a person worked up into a complete tailspin. Been there? Are you there right now?
God designed you for a purpose. You are part of an amazing plan and there is hope! Be encouraged today.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Because He has already drawn up our total life plan, we don’t need know what the future holds for us but who holds the future for us! David said to God, “As for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, You are my God. My times are in your hand. Do not let me be ashamed!” (Psa 31:14,15,17).
The question and the challenge today is are you willing to trust him unconditionally not only for your day to day but with your future?
Jesus asked, “Which of you by worrying can add one foot to his height? Therefore do not worry, saying, what shall we eat, drink or wear? But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these (material) things shall be added to you” (Mt 6:27-33).
Instead of worrying, give yourself to praying. The best thing to do about worry is to unload it on God.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6,7).
I remember a promise my grandmother taught me to memorize: “Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing” (Psa 34:10).
Don’t live your life in fear of the “what if’s” in your future. Walk by faith and not sight. Release your future into God’s hands. Your act of faith and release gives God the latitude he needs to accomplish his plans and purposes for you.
OMG !!!
Seems like "OMG" pops out of people's mouths as easily as "How are you?" But does saying "OMG" or even "geez" count as taking the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7)? Are we disrespecting God by saying such phrases or pretending to cuss?
As Christians, one of our jobs is to honor God's name as much as we would honor God Himself. That is, any time we use His name, it should be in a right and respectful way. God, His name, and everything about Him is holy, holy, holy (Psalm 8:1, Psalm 111:9, Matthew 6:9). Using His name as an expression is not honoring His holiness.
Anyway, it doesn't even make sense... If your dad's name was Bob, would you say, "Oh my Bob"?
OMG... Did I just sin?
Okay, so maybe it makes sense to you not to say, "Oh my God." But what's the harm of OMG (short for "Oh my God"), "oh my gosh," or "geez" (the first syllable of Jesus' name)? We're not actually saying God's name, and we mean no disrespect to God. We're just using an expression, right?
Yes and no. True, we are not saying His name verbally (or via text), but phrases and words always carry their actual meaning with them. Even if we didn't mean to say it in disrespect to God, we still need to ask ourselves, "Does speaking this way help others and honor God?" (See Ephesians 4:29)
Can you honestly say that texting "OMG" would do either of those?
Maybe you're just trying to be funny or it's a natural part of your vocabulary now. Maybe you don't even think about how God's name is represented in OMG, but perhaps somebody else does. You know when someone says "that freaking jerk," they've made a word choice to keep from dropping an f-bomb. It's a cussing cheat. That's all it is. It's a way to use profanity without really using profanity. But pretty much everybody knows what it really means.
Habits are hard to break, I know. But we should still make an effort to use words that would only build up others (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and honor God.
Seems like "OMG" pops out of people's mouths as easily as "How are you?" But does saying "OMG" or even "geez" count as taking the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7)? Are we disrespecting God by saying such phrases or pretending to cuss?
As Christians, one of our jobs is to honor God's name as much as we would honor God Himself. That is, any time we use His name, it should be in a right and respectful way. God, His name, and everything about Him is holy, holy, holy (Psalm 8:1, Psalm 111:9, Matthew 6:9). Using His name as an expression is not honoring His holiness.
Anyway, it doesn't even make sense... If your dad's name was Bob, would you say, "Oh my Bob"?
OMG... Did I just sin?
Okay, so maybe it makes sense to you not to say, "Oh my God." But what's the harm of OMG (short for "Oh my God"), "oh my gosh," or "geez" (the first syllable of Jesus' name)? We're not actually saying God's name, and we mean no disrespect to God. We're just using an expression, right?
Yes and no. True, we are not saying His name verbally (or via text), but phrases and words always carry their actual meaning with them. Even if we didn't mean to say it in disrespect to God, we still need to ask ourselves, "Does speaking this way help others and honor God?" (See Ephesians 4:29)
Can you honestly say that texting "OMG" would do either of those?
Maybe you're just trying to be funny or it's a natural part of your vocabulary now. Maybe you don't even think about how God's name is represented in OMG, but perhaps somebody else does. You know when someone says "that freaking jerk," they've made a word choice to keep from dropping an f-bomb. It's a cussing cheat. That's all it is. It's a way to use profanity without really using profanity. But pretty much everybody knows what it really means.
Habits are hard to break, I know. But we should still make an effort to use words that would only build up others (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and honor God.
What’s cool? How the desire to fit in can tempt you to turn your back on Jesus.
What's cool:
Acting like you don't really care about anything
Talking about people behind their backs
Talking about how wild your weekend was
Being exclusive and not including anyone outside your group
What's not cool:
Standing up for what you believe (especially as a Christian)
Saying, "I don't like to bring people down, I like to build them up"
Being nice
Looking out for others and being inclusive
I may have gone to a school of particularly not-so-lovely people. But, assuming not much has changed, if you're a Christian teen who wants to be socially accepted by the masters of cool, you will eventually face a dilemma:
A. Try and be cool, but compromise your beliefs
B. Don't worry about being cool
Which one are you choosing at the moment?
1 Corinthians 13:6-7 says, "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Delighting in evil is when you join in the laughter at that kid no-one likes. It's when you put others down to make yourself feel better. It's when you deny Jesus so you can be accepted by your peers.
Don't be like that.
Instead, be the kind of person who doesn't care about cool. The kind of person who protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. A person like Jesus, who didn't try and fit in with the "important" people, but reached out to help the weak, to include the broken, and to comfort the lonely.
If you're a Christian, don't try and be like the cool kids. Try and be like Jesus. You may not get the acceptance you want in the school yard, but you will get a warm welcome from Jesus when you finally meet him face-to-face.
What's cool:
Acting like you don't really care about anything
Talking about people behind their backs
Talking about how wild your weekend was
Being exclusive and not including anyone outside your group
What's not cool:
Standing up for what you believe (especially as a Christian)
Saying, "I don't like to bring people down, I like to build them up"
Being nice
Looking out for others and being inclusive
I may have gone to a school of particularly not-so-lovely people. But, assuming not much has changed, if you're a Christian teen who wants to be socially accepted by the masters of cool, you will eventually face a dilemma:
A. Try and be cool, but compromise your beliefs
B. Don't worry about being cool
Which one are you choosing at the moment?
1 Corinthians 13:6-7 says, "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Delighting in evil is when you join in the laughter at that kid no-one likes. It's when you put others down to make yourself feel better. It's when you deny Jesus so you can be accepted by your peers.
Don't be like that.
Instead, be the kind of person who doesn't care about cool. The kind of person who protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. A person like Jesus, who didn't try and fit in with the "important" people, but reached out to help the weak, to include the broken, and to comfort the lonely.
If you're a Christian, don't try and be like the cool kids. Try and be like Jesus. You may not get the acceptance you want in the school yard, but you will get a warm welcome from Jesus when you finally meet him face-to-face.
The "White Lie"
As believers of Christ, we should all be working toward glorifying the Lord. So will a "white lie" count for or against the goodness that will glorify Him? If the lie doesn't hurt anyone, does it even count? What if it would hurt a person to tell them the truth?
Even though the world excuses some lies because they're trivial (like saying traffic made you late when it didn't) or for the purpose of not hurting someone's feelings (like saying you like someone's bad haircut or the meal they cooked), the Bible tells us something different about lies in general. Simply put, lying is a sin (Leviticus 19:11; Proverbs 12:22), and God condemns it (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Telling white lies to help others
Is lying ever a good thing to do when it comes to sparing a friend's feelings? It may be hard, but we still need to tell the truth. Don't turn around in circles with the truth; it will only confuse you when lies have to cover up other lies. Lying is never something good or righteous. If those white lies were to be found out, then you would be known as a liar and your word would be disreputable.
God desires for us to be truth-tellers, and He will honor that—even if it ends up hurting the person we must tell the truth to. We all need to walk in the light, and lying would only prevent people from seeing Christ's glory in us. Lies can only mar the goodness the children of God should have (Philippians 2:15; Ephesians 5:8).
Tellers of white lies believe they are speaking lies out of "love," yet how can there be love in dishonesty? If our own Father—who is Love Himself—condemns lying, there is no way a believer can justify even a "small" lie.
Telling white lies to help yourself
Who defines the "good" that results from a lie? A friend of mine once told a white lie, and I believed her. Our friends laughed when I realized she had lied, which was a benefit to her, giving her a good reputation as being funny. But what about me, her friend who she took advantage of? I felt hurt and betrayed. Matthew 23:12 says, "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Telling a white lie to benefit oneself is nothing but selfishness. When our words are motivated by showing off to make ourselves look better, smarter, funnier, more experienced, etc., then we will find ourselves tempted by pride (1 John 2:16).
Where do white lies come from?
The Bible calls Satan the "father of lies" (John 8:44). The apostle Paul tells us that Satan "masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). We shouldn't "masquerade" as servants of righteousness, but be actual servants of righteousness, truth-tellers who resist the temptation to speak white lies.
Being truthful is a precious delight to God (Proverbs 12:22). Not only that, but telling only truths helps strengthen our character and reputation, making us more Christlike. Proverbs 21:21 says, "Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."
Why are white lies such a big deal?
The "everybody else is doing it, why can't I?" mentality is a slippery slope. The world loves to justify their wrong actions to the point of saying that they are actually doing good. Premarital sex is not "fornication"; it's "making love," right? If I withhold what I really think of my friend's painting from art class, it not lying; it's being polite, right? Wrong. No matter how you sugarcoat sin, it's still sin.
Our sins are like ink on a pure white sheet of paper—even a "tiny" sin is like a drop on that paper that sticks out to God. Sin is a big deal. All sins are seen by God, and one day we will all be asked to answer for our actions (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Coloring lies, whether white or black, does not come from the goodness of God. A white lie will always be a lie, and as we've already said, it is Satan who is the father of lies. We don't exist to satisfy the needs of others or ourselves by telling lies. Lying is still lying whether we use it to protect our secrets or to spare a friend from rebuke. Have faith that the truth will be enough and that it is right to say it. Though truth-telling can be hard, remember that we can do all things through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:13).
Why is telling the truth such a big deal?
To tell the truth is not a suggestion, it is a command (Psalm 15:2; Zechariah 8:16; Ephesians 4:25). All believers are called to be truthful, and truthfulness honors the Lord, the "God of truth" (Psalm 31:5, 25:5). Truthfulness is a part of the armor we put on when fighting against the father of lies (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Have you ever experienced being lied to? Have you ever caught someone in a "white lie"?" It's not exactly fun, is it? Big lies, small lies—there's no difference. The intention of deception will grow in the heart of a liar. White lies are training for bigger lies. Don't give in, or your conscience may be seared (1 Timothy 4:2). We are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and we can choose to sin no more (John 8:11).
"The LORD says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'" —Psalm 32:8
As believers of Christ, we should all be working toward glorifying the Lord. So will a "white lie" count for or against the goodness that will glorify Him? If the lie doesn't hurt anyone, does it even count? What if it would hurt a person to tell them the truth?
Even though the world excuses some lies because they're trivial (like saying traffic made you late when it didn't) or for the purpose of not hurting someone's feelings (like saying you like someone's bad haircut or the meal they cooked), the Bible tells us something different about lies in general. Simply put, lying is a sin (Leviticus 19:11; Proverbs 12:22), and God condemns it (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Telling white lies to help others
Is lying ever a good thing to do when it comes to sparing a friend's feelings? It may be hard, but we still need to tell the truth. Don't turn around in circles with the truth; it will only confuse you when lies have to cover up other lies. Lying is never something good or righteous. If those white lies were to be found out, then you would be known as a liar and your word would be disreputable.
God desires for us to be truth-tellers, and He will honor that—even if it ends up hurting the person we must tell the truth to. We all need to walk in the light, and lying would only prevent people from seeing Christ's glory in us. Lies can only mar the goodness the children of God should have (Philippians 2:15; Ephesians 5:8).
Tellers of white lies believe they are speaking lies out of "love," yet how can there be love in dishonesty? If our own Father—who is Love Himself—condemns lying, there is no way a believer can justify even a "small" lie.
Telling white lies to help yourself
Who defines the "good" that results from a lie? A friend of mine once told a white lie, and I believed her. Our friends laughed when I realized she had lied, which was a benefit to her, giving her a good reputation as being funny. But what about me, her friend who she took advantage of? I felt hurt and betrayed. Matthew 23:12 says, "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
Telling a white lie to benefit oneself is nothing but selfishness. When our words are motivated by showing off to make ourselves look better, smarter, funnier, more experienced, etc., then we will find ourselves tempted by pride (1 John 2:16).
Where do white lies come from?
The Bible calls Satan the "father of lies" (John 8:44). The apostle Paul tells us that Satan "masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). We shouldn't "masquerade" as servants of righteousness, but be actual servants of righteousness, truth-tellers who resist the temptation to speak white lies.
Being truthful is a precious delight to God (Proverbs 12:22). Not only that, but telling only truths helps strengthen our character and reputation, making us more Christlike. Proverbs 21:21 says, "Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."
Why are white lies such a big deal?
The "everybody else is doing it, why can't I?" mentality is a slippery slope. The world loves to justify their wrong actions to the point of saying that they are actually doing good. Premarital sex is not "fornication"; it's "making love," right? If I withhold what I really think of my friend's painting from art class, it not lying; it's being polite, right? Wrong. No matter how you sugarcoat sin, it's still sin.
Our sins are like ink on a pure white sheet of paper—even a "tiny" sin is like a drop on that paper that sticks out to God. Sin is a big deal. All sins are seen by God, and one day we will all be asked to answer for our actions (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Coloring lies, whether white or black, does not come from the goodness of God. A white lie will always be a lie, and as we've already said, it is Satan who is the father of lies. We don't exist to satisfy the needs of others or ourselves by telling lies. Lying is still lying whether we use it to protect our secrets or to spare a friend from rebuke. Have faith that the truth will be enough and that it is right to say it. Though truth-telling can be hard, remember that we can do all things through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:13).
Why is telling the truth such a big deal?
To tell the truth is not a suggestion, it is a command (Psalm 15:2; Zechariah 8:16; Ephesians 4:25). All believers are called to be truthful, and truthfulness honors the Lord, the "God of truth" (Psalm 31:5, 25:5). Truthfulness is a part of the armor we put on when fighting against the father of lies (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Have you ever experienced being lied to? Have you ever caught someone in a "white lie"?" It's not exactly fun, is it? Big lies, small lies—there's no difference. The intention of deception will grow in the heart of a liar. White lies are training for bigger lies. Don't give in, or your conscience may be seared (1 Timothy 4:2). We are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and we can choose to sin no more (John 8:11).
"The LORD says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'" —Psalm 32:8
You may have given your life to Christ. But you’ve messed up. You’ve sinned and now you’re feeling ashamed and dirty. You may even feel unacceptable to God. You’ve given yourself a beat down because of what you did and now the enemy is giving you the third degree saying “what kind of a Christian are you? Who do you think you’re fooling? You are nothing but a hypocrite and even God won’t forgive you.”
Guess what? If you’ve given your life to Christ, you are a Child of the King. And his opinion of you is the only one that matters. You are innocent in his eyes. Why? Because Jesus paid for your sins – You are blameless.
Ephesians 1:4, 7-8 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.
You have peace with God.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
You are no longer condemned.
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Your sins have been removed. Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
I love what the Apostle Paul has to say about this when he writes to the Colossians. Colossians 2:13, 14 - When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Paul is talking about a legal “certificate of debt”. In his time, when a person was put in jail, a certificate of debt was posted on the jail door listing all the crimes the person was guilty of. When the person had served their time, upon their release they were given the certificate of debt and on it was written, “Paid in Full.”
Are you ready for this? Jesus loved you and I so much that he paid the ultimate price. He laid down his life. He actually took the certificate of debt of your life (which said DEATH PENALTY), and nailed it to the cross. His sacrifice “paid in full” the price for your sin and mine. When Jesus was on the cross and said those words “it is finished” (John 19:30) was in the same Greek word translated “paid in full”. AMAZING RIGHT?
Your sin has been paid for. Period. You are legally innocent in God’s eyes. Jesus was enough. It is finished. Jesus is all you need today. If you haven’t given your life to him, this is your day to do just that. Talk to him about it from your heart and in your own words. Simply admit that you are a sinner and need his forgiveness. Confess your sin, and turn from it. Ask him into your heart and life and tell him that you personally accept what he did for you and receive him as your Savior and Lord. If you have already given your life to Christ but you’ve sinned and you feel guilty, listen to your conscience and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Go to God and confess it. He is full of loving kindness and forgiveness. When you go to him, let him remind you of the cross where Jesus paid the price in full for your sin. Be encouraged today and don’t buy into the lies and cheap shots of the enemy.
Don’t condemn yourself - because God doesn’t. Before God’s throne right now, you stand completely blameless. There is no condemnation because legally, there is nothing to condemn you for. Your sentence has been served by Jesus. In the spiritual realm, you died when Jesus did (Galatians 2:20), and now he lives in you. A death requirement as total payment for your sin. Jesus paid it all.
Blessings always,
Pastor Glenn
Guess what? If you’ve given your life to Christ, you are a Child of the King. And his opinion of you is the only one that matters. You are innocent in his eyes. Why? Because Jesus paid for your sins – You are blameless.
Ephesians 1:4, 7-8 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.
You have peace with God.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
You are no longer condemned.
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Your sins have been removed. Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
I love what the Apostle Paul has to say about this when he writes to the Colossians. Colossians 2:13, 14 - When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Paul is talking about a legal “certificate of debt”. In his time, when a person was put in jail, a certificate of debt was posted on the jail door listing all the crimes the person was guilty of. When the person had served their time, upon their release they were given the certificate of debt and on it was written, “Paid in Full.”
Are you ready for this? Jesus loved you and I so much that he paid the ultimate price. He laid down his life. He actually took the certificate of debt of your life (which said DEATH PENALTY), and nailed it to the cross. His sacrifice “paid in full” the price for your sin and mine. When Jesus was on the cross and said those words “it is finished” (John 19:30) was in the same Greek word translated “paid in full”. AMAZING RIGHT?
Your sin has been paid for. Period. You are legally innocent in God’s eyes. Jesus was enough. It is finished. Jesus is all you need today. If you haven’t given your life to him, this is your day to do just that. Talk to him about it from your heart and in your own words. Simply admit that you are a sinner and need his forgiveness. Confess your sin, and turn from it. Ask him into your heart and life and tell him that you personally accept what he did for you and receive him as your Savior and Lord. If you have already given your life to Christ but you’ve sinned and you feel guilty, listen to your conscience and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Go to God and confess it. He is full of loving kindness and forgiveness. When you go to him, let him remind you of the cross where Jesus paid the price in full for your sin. Be encouraged today and don’t buy into the lies and cheap shots of the enemy.
Don’t condemn yourself - because God doesn’t. Before God’s throne right now, you stand completely blameless. There is no condemnation because legally, there is nothing to condemn you for. Your sentence has been served by Jesus. In the spiritual realm, you died when Jesus did (Galatians 2:20), and now he lives in you. A death requirement as total payment for your sin. Jesus paid it all.
Blessings always,
Pastor Glenn
SO.... what's the deal with purity rings ???
Purity rings are typically worn by teenagers or adults to represent their commitment to remain sexually pure by not having sex until marriage. The Purity Ring movement started in the 1990s, and some people believe it was inspired by the gold band nuns wear to represent their lifelong commitment to God. The rings are available at lots of places online or in stores, and there are no rules about how to wear or receive one. Both guys and girls can wear them. They can be given as gifts or purchased for yourself. Some families might have a special ceremony, and afterward, the dad gives a purity ring to his teen daughter. Of course, since these rings are a modern idea, they aren’t mentioned in the Bible.
What is in the Bible is God's call for us to remain sexually pure. “You should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God. . . . For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 7). This goes beyond just not having sex before marriage, though—it includes things like avoiding porn and lustful thoughts or actions. On top of that, having sexual purity is kind of like saying that you will keep your mind and body morally clean and pure so that if/when you get married, you can give yourself to your spouse with a completely clean conscience. Not sure what that means exactly? Here’s a good rule of thumb: any activity that arouses sexual feelings should probably be off limits—that is, until they are activities with your husband or wife!
If you struggle with remaining sexually pure, it's okay. We've all been there. Ask God to help you! Understand that getting and wearing a Purity Ring won’t magically make you pure or prevent any sort of impure temptations from happening. A dad who gives his daughter a Purity Ring doesn’t “own” her sexuality. Also, a girl’s purity isn’t any more important than a boy’s. A commitment to remain pure until marriage is a really wonderful thing (Ephesians 5:3). But that commitment should be based on your relationship with God and wanting to follow what He says—not out of fear or shame. You shouldn’t get a Purity Ring if the only reason you’re getting it is to show that you have one or simply because you want to please your parents.
No, there is nothing wrong with wearing a Purity Ring. Just search your heart and make sure that your commitment to practice abstinence (which is a big, fancy word for not having sex) until you are married is sincere. The ring can be a reminder to you about your decision or even point out others who have made the same choice—which can be very encouraging! However, no Christian has to or needs to wear a Purity Ring. What’s inside—your personal commitment to God, understanding the benefits of abstinence and how to avoid temptation—is so much more important than a ring.
1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity
No matter what your life looks like right now, there is an answer waiting for you. No matter how big the hole in your heart is, there is something that can fill it to overflowing. Want to know what that is?
I'm hungry for more in life.
Is your spirit rumbling? Do you hunger for something more in life? Is there a space deep inside of you that can never seems to be satisfied? If so, we have just the thing! Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35).
I'm confused about my life.
Have you been looking for the right path or real purpose in your life, but you can never seem to pin it down? Does it feel like someone threw a bag over your head, spun you around, and left you alone to find your way? If so, we have an answer for you! Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).
Nothing good ever happens to me.
Do you ever feel like everyone gets the great things while you're stuck with the leftovers? Have been opening doors and looking inside, only to find that there's nothing meaningful there? Do you want to have a fulfilling life—not just go through every day in survival mode? If so, we know how to get what you want! Jesus said, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture" (John 10:9).
Nobody really cares about me.
Have your friendships been disappointing and just plain empty? Do you feel like everybody is taking advantage of you? If so, we know just the friend for you! Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me" (John 10:11, 14).
What's the point of living if we just die at the end anyway?
What happens after this life is over? There's no point in living for things that don't last, so why live at all? Do you wonder if your life will ever have any meaning? What if you could go on living in a state of eternal joy after you die? If this is what you want, we can tell you how! Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-26).
Are you sensing a theme here? What is the way to a joyful life? What is the truth about why we exist? What is the point of life? There's only one answer: Jesus Christ. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
That hunger in your soul is a spiritual hunger and can only be filled by Jesus. That darkness in your heart can only be chased out by Jesus. That satisfying life you desire can only be given by Jesus. That meaningful friendship you have always wanted, with someone who will never let you down, can only by filled by Jesus.
Jesus is the life—both in this world and the next. Jesus is the way of salvation!
The reason you hunger, the reason darkness overwhelms you, the reason you're struggling to find meaning in life, is because you are separated from God by an evil that goes way back to the beginning of humankind. The Bible says that everybody has sinned; no one is excused from the punishment for their evil. Because of this, we were separated from God (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23) because God cannot stand sin.
The empty space in your heart is the result of God being missing from your life. We were made to have a relationship with God, but because of our sin and our separation, we are cursed beings (Romans 6:23; John 3:36). But! There's a solution to this problem that's so easy it's kind of crazy.
Jesus.
Jesus took your sin and made Himself guilty of it (2 Corinthians 5:21). He died for you so that you wouldn't have to suffer (Romans 5:8). He took the punishment that you actually deserved. You (and every sin you have ever done or will do in the future) were on His mind as He hung on the cross, bleeding to death, in unimaginable physical pain. Then He did something that we could never do: He came back to life and proved that sin and death would never, ever hold Him down (Romans 6:4-5).
Why would Jesus die for me?
Jesus answered that question Himself: "Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Jesus is your friend, He loves you dearly, and He died so that you could live a life with meaning on earth and a life of eternal joy after death!
If you believe that Jesus did this for you, and you trust that His death served as the payment for every sin that has or will be acted out in your life, then every bad thing you have ever done will be forgiven by God and your record will be wiped totally clean.
Your spiritual hunger will be satisfied. The lights will be turned on. You will see the path to a fulfilling life. You will recognize your true best friend who will never let you down. You will know that you can have life after you die—a resurrected life in heaven for eternity with Someone who loves you more than you could ever love anyone or anything.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
—John 3:16
Pastor Glenn
February 2, 2015
I'm hungry for more in life.
Is your spirit rumbling? Do you hunger for something more in life? Is there a space deep inside of you that can never seems to be satisfied? If so, we have just the thing! Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35).
I'm confused about my life.
Have you been looking for the right path or real purpose in your life, but you can never seem to pin it down? Does it feel like someone threw a bag over your head, spun you around, and left you alone to find your way? If so, we have an answer for you! Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).
Nothing good ever happens to me.
Do you ever feel like everyone gets the great things while you're stuck with the leftovers? Have been opening doors and looking inside, only to find that there's nothing meaningful there? Do you want to have a fulfilling life—not just go through every day in survival mode? If so, we know how to get what you want! Jesus said, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture" (John 10:9).
Nobody really cares about me.
Have your friendships been disappointing and just plain empty? Do you feel like everybody is taking advantage of you? If so, we know just the friend for you! Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me" (John 10:11, 14).
What's the point of living if we just die at the end anyway?
What happens after this life is over? There's no point in living for things that don't last, so why live at all? Do you wonder if your life will ever have any meaning? What if you could go on living in a state of eternal joy after you die? If this is what you want, we can tell you how! Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-26).
Are you sensing a theme here? What is the way to a joyful life? What is the truth about why we exist? What is the point of life? There's only one answer: Jesus Christ. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
That hunger in your soul is a spiritual hunger and can only be filled by Jesus. That darkness in your heart can only be chased out by Jesus. That satisfying life you desire can only be given by Jesus. That meaningful friendship you have always wanted, with someone who will never let you down, can only by filled by Jesus.
Jesus is the life—both in this world and the next. Jesus is the way of salvation!
The reason you hunger, the reason darkness overwhelms you, the reason you're struggling to find meaning in life, is because you are separated from God by an evil that goes way back to the beginning of humankind. The Bible says that everybody has sinned; no one is excused from the punishment for their evil. Because of this, we were separated from God (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23) because God cannot stand sin.
The empty space in your heart is the result of God being missing from your life. We were made to have a relationship with God, but because of our sin and our separation, we are cursed beings (Romans 6:23; John 3:36). But! There's a solution to this problem that's so easy it's kind of crazy.
Jesus.
Jesus took your sin and made Himself guilty of it (2 Corinthians 5:21). He died for you so that you wouldn't have to suffer (Romans 5:8). He took the punishment that you actually deserved. You (and every sin you have ever done or will do in the future) were on His mind as He hung on the cross, bleeding to death, in unimaginable physical pain. Then He did something that we could never do: He came back to life and proved that sin and death would never, ever hold Him down (Romans 6:4-5).
Why would Jesus die for me?
Jesus answered that question Himself: "Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Jesus is your friend, He loves you dearly, and He died so that you could live a life with meaning on earth and a life of eternal joy after death!
If you believe that Jesus did this for you, and you trust that His death served as the payment for every sin that has or will be acted out in your life, then every bad thing you have ever done will be forgiven by God and your record will be wiped totally clean.
Your spiritual hunger will be satisfied. The lights will be turned on. You will see the path to a fulfilling life. You will recognize your true best friend who will never let you down. You will know that you can have life after you die—a resurrected life in heaven for eternity with Someone who loves you more than you could ever love anyone or anything.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
—John 3:16
Pastor Glenn
February 2, 2015
Are You Happy Being You?
A lot of teens that I talk with are unhappy with who they are. They identify their happiness by how they look, how many friends they have, whether or not they have a boyfriend or girlfriend, how well they are doing in school or if they qualify for a certain team. There are so many reasons to decide you do not like yourself if you are focused on exterior things or people to make you happy. True happiness comes from the inside. God wants you to enjoy your life and celebrate YOU! How do you celebrate YOU in a society that is so focused on material things? You keep your focus on the things of God. Don’t compare yourself to other people, don’t allow what people might say or think about you to affect the way you feel about yourself. Compare yourself to who God says you are! God says you are the apple of his eye, and you are loved! God’s word tells you that you are more than a conqueror and that you can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you. God loves you and has a perfect plan for your life, start today by looking in the mirror and telling yourself how SPECIAL you are! Don’t forget Jesus died on the cross because he loved you so much. God wants you to be happy, and happiness is a decision that You make! Decide today to be happy about who you are! Celebrate yourself and others will begin to notice that there is something different about you! God bless you and have a happy day today.
A lot of teens that I talk with are unhappy with who they are. They identify their happiness by how they look, how many friends they have, whether or not they have a boyfriend or girlfriend, how well they are doing in school or if they qualify for a certain team. There are so many reasons to decide you do not like yourself if you are focused on exterior things or people to make you happy. True happiness comes from the inside. God wants you to enjoy your life and celebrate YOU! How do you celebrate YOU in a society that is so focused on material things? You keep your focus on the things of God. Don’t compare yourself to other people, don’t allow what people might say or think about you to affect the way you feel about yourself. Compare yourself to who God says you are! God says you are the apple of his eye, and you are loved! God’s word tells you that you are more than a conqueror and that you can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you. God loves you and has a perfect plan for your life, start today by looking in the mirror and telling yourself how SPECIAL you are! Don’t forget Jesus died on the cross because he loved you so much. God wants you to be happy, and happiness is a decision that You make! Decide today to be happy about who you are! Celebrate yourself and others will begin to notice that there is something different about you! God bless you and have a happy day today.
This has happened to a lot of people. You never dreamed it would happen to you.... yet, here you are.
First things first, take a deep breath. It's okay. We all make mistakes. We all sometimes choose sin over following God. But our God is bigger than this, and He can handle it. God does not hate you for being pregnant. Being pregnant is not a sin. It's not even a sin to be pregnant out of wedlock. Surprised? Well, it's still a fact. Your baby will not be sinning if he or she is born to unmarried parents. You're going to be okay.
Tell God What Happened
The sin you committed was having sex outside of marriage—and that goes for the guy too. But that is done and in the past now. Confess it to God, and you will be forgiven for it (1 John 1:9). Yes, you will have to deal with the consequences of that sin, but with God, you can do it (Philippians 4:13). It's time to move on to the next step, one that can provide you with much hope and joy. I know that's hard to imagine, but stay with me here. You WILL make it through this.
Tell Your Parents What Happened
Your parents need to know that you're pregnant, so that is the next step. It's going to be hard. They are probably going to be disappointed. They may be worried about your family's reputation in the Christian community. But they need to know, and they might even be able to help you. After all, this unborn baby is their grandchild.
Proverbs 6:20-22 says to follow the teaching of our parents and that "when you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you." If they are believers who truly want to follow God's ways for life, they will eventually come around to acceptance of the situation. Their job as parents is to guide you and help you lead a godly life, turning to God always—no matter what circumstances you're in.
Take Another Breath!
No matter how terrifying the situation seems, you will make it through. God is the One we can run to; He will wrap us in His arms and fill us with strength when the nights are long and dark and lonely (Psalm 46:1; Psalm 91:1-2). God will meet all your needs whether physically, spiritually, or through His people (Philippians 4:19). Watch for those encouragements and opportunities. If you ask Him for them, they will come.
You are a precious creation of God. You may have made a mistake, but you are not the first person to have made this one (Romans 3:23). God has a perfect plan for you and this baby (Psalm 139:13-18). Because this has happened, He will make it into something beautiful. It may not be the perfect situation for anyone, but you and your baby are extraordinary human beings and God loves you both.
Gather Your Support Group
Other than your parents, you can find support in friends, family, or members of your church. Confide in a trusted friend what you are going through. Hopefully, she will be able to stand with you, cry with you, hold your hand, and encourage you—even if she doesn't have all the answers. You may also be able to get help from a friend's Christian parents or a church leader. It certainly doesn't hurt to start putting together a plan with the help of adults who may have some wisdom to offer (Proverbs 15:22). You've got some important decisions to make.
The Available Options
1. Parenthood - The baby you have created is a blessing—not a curse. This child could be the best thing that ever happened to you. No, really! It's hard to imagine how a girl could find joy in having a baby at 15 or 16 years old, but God is bigger than our imaginations (Isaiah 55:8-9), and He is really full of surprises when it comes to the unexpected things in life (Psalm 149:4).
Talk with your parents, pray with them, and consider if you would be able to start being a parent yourself. The path won't be easy, but the rewards could be better than you realize. James 1:5 promises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
2. Adoption - If you cannot or are unable to care for the baby yourself (even with the help of others), then the baby can still be a HUGE blessing to another couple who cannot have kids on their own. Imagine the joy you could provide for a husband and wife who have been praying for a baby to care for but have not been able to conceive.
God has adopted us all into His family, so He looks very kindly upon children who are adopted. There are many reputable, Christian organizations that can handle adoptions and place your baby with a loving family who will take care of him or her as though the child was their own.
3. Abortion - Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removing the baby from your body by surgical or other medical means, resulting in the death of the baby. There's a lot of controversy out there about abortion, whether it is murder or not, but the Bible is clear about the fact that we are real human beings even in the womb (Psalm 139:13-16). So to have an abortion is to end a life, an act which is clearly forbidden in the Bible (Exodus 20:13), and abortion cannot be undone.
For the Christian, abortion is not an option. Even though it is legally available, God does not condone it. Yes, pregnancy is hard and uncomfortable and the thought of childbirth might be scary, but these are all natural processes which God designed. Your body is His, and He will take care of you (1 Corinthians 6:19). You can make it through these nine months for the health and well-being of your baby.
Keep Breathing
I know you're frightened, and your first instinct may be to go into self-preservation mode. But this is about more than just you now. The decisions you make now will affect more than just your life—it will affect the life of the father, your family, and especially the very life of the baby inside you (Philippians 2:3-4).
Try not to dwell on your past mistakes. Stop making them and move on. God is holding your hand to help you. Being pregnant is not something you have to go through on your own. You may be able to involve the father and his family too. He is just as responsible for this pregnancy as you are. Ask your parents to pray with you and discuss how much they will be able to support you during pregnancy and if you decide to raise the baby or if they can help you through the adoption process. Do a search on Christian crisis pregnancy centers in your city to see if they have any services or can offer any financial help. Sometimes they even offer free ultrasounds and prenatal care.
Our God is all powerful, and He is strong enough to bring joy and blessings into your life—even after you have sinned. Yes, there are super tough times ahead for you and your family, but you will make it through this. Nothing is beyond God's power, and He will never leave you.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland." —Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
“Earthly Things or a New Reality”
Colossians 3:1-5
1. Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
3. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
In the Bible, Christianity isn’t really about doing good things - it is about trusting God’s goodness. We are, however, often encouraged to do good things. But when this happens it is because we change when we become Christians. We have been ‘raised with Christ’ and we are called on to live like it.
Why would you continue doing ‘earthly’ things - why would you even continue thinking about them - if you have died and are now joined to Christ?! It just doesn’t make any sense!
Paul doesn’t ordinarily use the term ‘earthly’ to mean everyday things that we do or find in this world (as opposed to heaven): football, computer games, friends and family all have their place. What Paul means by ‘earthly’ is sinful things - things that are contrary to your new nature as someone who has died to sin and been raised with Christ. Sometimes ordinary things which are good in their own right can become sinful if we let them get in the road of our relationship with God. If we, say, value football over church or if we play computer games when we never read the Bible. In this case these ‘earthly’ things really are sinful.
It is the same in Philippians 3:19. To ‘set your mind on earthly things’ means to desire above everything else something other than your relationship with God. Paul reminds us in the very next verse of the same truth that we learned from Colossians. We are to value our relationship with God above everything else because ‘our citizenship is in heaven’ - we have changed. If we are Christians we no longer belong to the earth, we belong to heaven.
Every second, of every day all of your life. You are a citizen of heaven, you are raised with Christ – that’s the wonderful truth. Now live in the New Reality !
Colossians 3:1-5
1. Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
3. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
In the Bible, Christianity isn’t really about doing good things - it is about trusting God’s goodness. We are, however, often encouraged to do good things. But when this happens it is because we change when we become Christians. We have been ‘raised with Christ’ and we are called on to live like it.
Why would you continue doing ‘earthly’ things - why would you even continue thinking about them - if you have died and are now joined to Christ?! It just doesn’t make any sense!
Paul doesn’t ordinarily use the term ‘earthly’ to mean everyday things that we do or find in this world (as opposed to heaven): football, computer games, friends and family all have their place. What Paul means by ‘earthly’ is sinful things - things that are contrary to your new nature as someone who has died to sin and been raised with Christ. Sometimes ordinary things which are good in their own right can become sinful if we let them get in the road of our relationship with God. If we, say, value football over church or if we play computer games when we never read the Bible. In this case these ‘earthly’ things really are sinful.
It is the same in Philippians 3:19. To ‘set your mind on earthly things’ means to desire above everything else something other than your relationship with God. Paul reminds us in the very next verse of the same truth that we learned from Colossians. We are to value our relationship with God above everything else because ‘our citizenship is in heaven’ - we have changed. If we are Christians we no longer belong to the earth, we belong to heaven.
Every second, of every day all of your life. You are a citizen of heaven, you are raised with Christ – that’s the wonderful truth. Now live in the New Reality !
Make no mistake, it takes a lot to be a full on Christian. A person can know that God is real. They can know that Jesus came down to earth, and then died for their sins, but every time they try to get more involved with God, something distracts (text messages, phone call, music that isn't Christian, etc.) It’s easy to find yourself getting involved with the wrong people or wrong crowd, too. Cussing and saying things like "Oh my god!" Yeah, it’s not honoring to God but it just comes out.
Unfortunately you aren’t alone and this is what I would call the normal Christian life. Satan is relentless in his pursuit of true believers, and the battle you are facing is one you will face all of the days of your life. However, before that discourages you, let me say, there is help!
The greatest hurdle is to recognize you have a problem and in your own strength you are helpless. The truth is, we cannot live the Christian life by ourselves. Without God's help, we would utterly fail. But, the battle you face is actually the Lord's battle; with Him you can be victorious. Here are some things that I have found helpful through the years, and hopefully, you will find helpful as well.
Read the Word of God every single day! There is no such thing as the excuse, "I don't have time!" The truth is, we do not have time not to read God's Word. We are in a battle, and we cannot face that battle without our sword: our Bible! Make the time – you can’t afford not to.
Second, pray every single day. Find at least one time when you can spend 15 minutes with the Lord--all by yourself. If time allows, you will find that time so precious that you will even increase it to 30 minutes or more! In your prayer time, be sure to take some time to just glory in the Lord--think of the amazing God you serve! Take some time, too, to tell the Lord about your frustrations, and ask forgiveness for you sins. Then, ask Him to help you have victory over those same battles! That is a key--we cannot do it ourselves, but with Christ we are invincible!
This is not a magic talisman--it is just a reality of life. We, as believers, need to walk in this world equipped to face Satan and his emissaries, for they are certainly active in thwarting us. We live in a world surrounded by a spiritual host we cannot see. The good news is that Satan's angels are not the only ones there; the angels of God are camped all around us, so use them!
We in the 21st century, are generally an apathetic group. It is time that God's people rise up from their sleep and live this Christian life to the honor and glory of God.
Don’t give up and don’t turn back. Armor up, and move forward in faith, eyes focused on Jesus!
God Bless You,
Pastor Glenn
Unfortunately you aren’t alone and this is what I would call the normal Christian life. Satan is relentless in his pursuit of true believers, and the battle you are facing is one you will face all of the days of your life. However, before that discourages you, let me say, there is help!
The greatest hurdle is to recognize you have a problem and in your own strength you are helpless. The truth is, we cannot live the Christian life by ourselves. Without God's help, we would utterly fail. But, the battle you face is actually the Lord's battle; with Him you can be victorious. Here are some things that I have found helpful through the years, and hopefully, you will find helpful as well.
Read the Word of God every single day! There is no such thing as the excuse, "I don't have time!" The truth is, we do not have time not to read God's Word. We are in a battle, and we cannot face that battle without our sword: our Bible! Make the time – you can’t afford not to.
Second, pray every single day. Find at least one time when you can spend 15 minutes with the Lord--all by yourself. If time allows, you will find that time so precious that you will even increase it to 30 minutes or more! In your prayer time, be sure to take some time to just glory in the Lord--think of the amazing God you serve! Take some time, too, to tell the Lord about your frustrations, and ask forgiveness for you sins. Then, ask Him to help you have victory over those same battles! That is a key--we cannot do it ourselves, but with Christ we are invincible!
This is not a magic talisman--it is just a reality of life. We, as believers, need to walk in this world equipped to face Satan and his emissaries, for they are certainly active in thwarting us. We live in a world surrounded by a spiritual host we cannot see. The good news is that Satan's angels are not the only ones there; the angels of God are camped all around us, so use them!
We in the 21st century, are generally an apathetic group. It is time that God's people rise up from their sleep and live this Christian life to the honor and glory of God.
Don’t give up and don’t turn back. Armor up, and move forward in faith, eyes focused on Jesus!
God Bless You,
Pastor Glenn
You want to fit in and be accepted. " Everybody does it" so, What's the low-down on getting high ?
The term “Drugs” is used to cover a wide range of substances including antibiotics, aspirin, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco as well as illegal drugs such as cocaine, speed & marijuana. Drugs like paracetamol (which you take when you have a headache), when used correctly can be useful and beneficial to humans. However, problems with “drugs” arise when they are misused.
While there are a number of references to alcohol in the Bible, there is nothing explicit about many of the other substances.
However there are some principles to keep in mind with this issue:
1) Christians are to submit to the laws and authorities of their society
The Bible recognises the authority of governments as given by God, for the purpose of the good ordering of society (Romans 13:1-5). As such, Christians should seek to submit to the rules and regulations set by governments. Thus, if a government determines certain guidelines for the use of specific drugs, (for example, that marijuana is illegal), then Christians should respect the authority and decision of the government and obey that law.
2) Followers of Jesus need to consider the effects of their actions on others
For example, consider a Christian deciding whether to have a glass of wine with their dinner. One glass probably won’t get them drunk, and if they are over 18, then they are legally allowed to have it. But they also need to consider if having the glass of wine would be unhelpful for others – if they were having a recovering alcoholic over for dinner, then having the glass of wine could be unhelpful for the guest – and so the Christian should abstain for the good of the other person. The thinking should not be simply what I can do, but what is the loving thing to do for others.
3) We are to live Godly lives
One of the many problems with drugs is how they affect our self-control & behaviour. The Bible encourages us to live "peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness". This kind of life, the Bible says “is good, and pleases God our Saviour" (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Paul talks about a similar issue when he says "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18). A lot of people use this verse to justify drinking. “If I don’t actually get drunk then it’s ok”. This verse sifts our focus to a deeper truth. “What or whom do I allow to control me?” and “What am I opening my life to?” One drink gives the enemy a foothold.
4) Taking drugs can lead to all sorts of other problems
It doesn't take long to look around society and see the problems that drug taking causes. Drug taking can lead to anger and violence, the need to sustain the habit can lead to burglary and other crimes, and the toll on the body can lead to organ failure, mental illness, and death.
So, there are some principles that help us to work out how to live in the specifics of our day to day living. We need to be wise as we make decisions and this wisdom comes from God (James 1:1-27). So let me encourage you to read the Bible, soak up these biblical principles of living and then ask God to help you wisely decide how to live.
The term “Drugs” is used to cover a wide range of substances including antibiotics, aspirin, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco as well as illegal drugs such as cocaine, speed & marijuana. Drugs like paracetamol (which you take when you have a headache), when used correctly can be useful and beneficial to humans. However, problems with “drugs” arise when they are misused.
While there are a number of references to alcohol in the Bible, there is nothing explicit about many of the other substances.
However there are some principles to keep in mind with this issue:
1) Christians are to submit to the laws and authorities of their society
The Bible recognises the authority of governments as given by God, for the purpose of the good ordering of society (Romans 13:1-5). As such, Christians should seek to submit to the rules and regulations set by governments. Thus, if a government determines certain guidelines for the use of specific drugs, (for example, that marijuana is illegal), then Christians should respect the authority and decision of the government and obey that law.
2) Followers of Jesus need to consider the effects of their actions on others
For example, consider a Christian deciding whether to have a glass of wine with their dinner. One glass probably won’t get them drunk, and if they are over 18, then they are legally allowed to have it. But they also need to consider if having the glass of wine would be unhelpful for others – if they were having a recovering alcoholic over for dinner, then having the glass of wine could be unhelpful for the guest – and so the Christian should abstain for the good of the other person. The thinking should not be simply what I can do, but what is the loving thing to do for others.
3) We are to live Godly lives
One of the many problems with drugs is how they affect our self-control & behaviour. The Bible encourages us to live "peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness". This kind of life, the Bible says “is good, and pleases God our Saviour" (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Paul talks about a similar issue when he says "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18). A lot of people use this verse to justify drinking. “If I don’t actually get drunk then it’s ok”. This verse sifts our focus to a deeper truth. “What or whom do I allow to control me?” and “What am I opening my life to?” One drink gives the enemy a foothold.
4) Taking drugs can lead to all sorts of other problems
It doesn't take long to look around society and see the problems that drug taking causes. Drug taking can lead to anger and violence, the need to sustain the habit can lead to burglary and other crimes, and the toll on the body can lead to organ failure, mental illness, and death.
So, there are some principles that help us to work out how to live in the specifics of our day to day living. We need to be wise as we make decisions and this wisdom comes from God (James 1:1-27). So let me encourage you to read the Bible, soak up these biblical principles of living and then ask God to help you wisely decide how to live.
Ok, so you’ve found yourself between a rock and a hard place. A real pickle - A situation where you want to do the right thing. Your heart is in the right place and your intentions are the best but everything that you do is going to hurt someone and there is a spiral of mess which cannot be fixed? With every step you take, it seems like it’s not the ‘right thing’ that God is expecting. What now?
It’s a horrible feeling when we think we’ve done the right thing and it ends up hurting someone. It’s important to realize that sometimes doing the right thing will hurt people and often in ways that we couldn’t have anticipated. God will certainly not hold us responsible for all the unforeseen consequences of our actions.
Of course it’s important to think about the consequences of a decision before we make it. But you shouldn’t feel that you’ve done the wrong thing just because you thought you made the best choice and yet it turned out badly.
I think part of the problem is thinking that there is only one ‘right thing’ to do in a situation. Often there are many right and godly ways to act and we have to choose one. God is not waiting to see whether we will choose one particular path out of many good paths. Rather, he has given us the Bible to instruct us in how to make wise decisions. He is pleased with every decision that intends to honour him.
It can be a good idea to talk an older mature Christian or Pastor whom you respect and can talk about the situation you’re in and give you some godly advice and direction. Draw on their experience, wisdom and discernment. See if you can explain to them the way this person feels hurt by you and what you can do about it. It may be that there is nothing you can do to make it right except to pray for the person and apologise for anything that was hurtful.
But you need to know that bad consequences don’t always mean a bad decision was made. All God expects is that you will honour him in the best way you know how.
It’s a horrible feeling when we think we’ve done the right thing and it ends up hurting someone. It’s important to realize that sometimes doing the right thing will hurt people and often in ways that we couldn’t have anticipated. God will certainly not hold us responsible for all the unforeseen consequences of our actions.
Of course it’s important to think about the consequences of a decision before we make it. But you shouldn’t feel that you’ve done the wrong thing just because you thought you made the best choice and yet it turned out badly.
I think part of the problem is thinking that there is only one ‘right thing’ to do in a situation. Often there are many right and godly ways to act and we have to choose one. God is not waiting to see whether we will choose one particular path out of many good paths. Rather, he has given us the Bible to instruct us in how to make wise decisions. He is pleased with every decision that intends to honour him.
It can be a good idea to talk an older mature Christian or Pastor whom you respect and can talk about the situation you’re in and give you some godly advice and direction. Draw on their experience, wisdom and discernment. See if you can explain to them the way this person feels hurt by you and what you can do about it. It may be that there is nothing you can do to make it right except to pray for the person and apologise for anything that was hurtful.
But you need to know that bad consequences don’t always mean a bad decision was made. All God expects is that you will honour him in the best way you know how.
The sad reality is that the vast majority of the people we are in contact with every day do not know Jesus in a personal way. They have no idea that he died in their place and wants to have an amazing personal relationship with them. Even the people who seem to have it all together are really searching and trying to fill a deep down, hard to describe emptiness. An emptiness that can only be satisfied by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
God has given you and I the privilege and the responsibility to lead those within our sphere of influence to Christ. Opportunities to do that come and go all the time. Do we take advantage of these opportunities? Satan loves nothing better than for us to whimp out on an opportunity. How exactly do we share Christ with someone?
Here are some lessons that I had to learn the hard way:
1) God is capable of working without your help. Even if your friend won’t talk about Jesus with you doesn’t mean God is helpless! He can be working in ways that you don’t know about inside her heart.
2) God doesn’t rely on you getting it all right all the time! He uses us to bring people into his kingdom, and that is an honour. But he is perfectly capable of doing it without us too. No matter what you do, even if you make the wrong call with your friend and screw up really badly, nothing can put her out of the reach of God.
3) Therefore prayer is the most important evangelistic activity. You have to rely on God… you literally can’t convert someone yourself - conversion is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).
4) The next most important thing you can do is continue living your Christian life publicly with integrity. Your friend knows you are a Christian and she will see that in the way you live. (Preach always and if necessary, use words).
4) Knowing what to do is difficult and different in each situation. Don’t forget to ask God for wisdom, and he will give it to you (James 1:5).
The take home message for evangelism is that you really can’t go too wrong. Be gentle and respectful (1 Pet 3:15-16), bold and courageous (Josh 1:9) and above all trust God to do the work (Zech 4:6). Think, pray, act and speak wisely. It’s hard, but don’t worry. In the end, the battle is God’s (Prov 21:31) and nobody (including you and your friend) can do anything to thwart God’s plan.
Keep praying and believing God for those who don’t know Christ. Allow God to work in and through you and …. NEVER GIVE UP !
Pastor Glenn
God has given you and I the privilege and the responsibility to lead those within our sphere of influence to Christ. Opportunities to do that come and go all the time. Do we take advantage of these opportunities? Satan loves nothing better than for us to whimp out on an opportunity. How exactly do we share Christ with someone?
Here are some lessons that I had to learn the hard way:
1) God is capable of working without your help. Even if your friend won’t talk about Jesus with you doesn’t mean God is helpless! He can be working in ways that you don’t know about inside her heart.
2) God doesn’t rely on you getting it all right all the time! He uses us to bring people into his kingdom, and that is an honour. But he is perfectly capable of doing it without us too. No matter what you do, even if you make the wrong call with your friend and screw up really badly, nothing can put her out of the reach of God.
3) Therefore prayer is the most important evangelistic activity. You have to rely on God… you literally can’t convert someone yourself - conversion is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).
4) The next most important thing you can do is continue living your Christian life publicly with integrity. Your friend knows you are a Christian and she will see that in the way you live. (Preach always and if necessary, use words).
4) Knowing what to do is difficult and different in each situation. Don’t forget to ask God for wisdom, and he will give it to you (James 1:5).
The take home message for evangelism is that you really can’t go too wrong. Be gentle and respectful (1 Pet 3:15-16), bold and courageous (Josh 1:9) and above all trust God to do the work (Zech 4:6). Think, pray, act and speak wisely. It’s hard, but don’t worry. In the end, the battle is God’s (Prov 21:31) and nobody (including you and your friend) can do anything to thwart God’s plan.
Keep praying and believing God for those who don’t know Christ. Allow God to work in and through you and …. NEVER GIVE UP !
Pastor Glenn
Honor your parents.
As a parent myself, I’d have to be first to go on record to say that parents are far from perfect. We don’t always get it. Even when we try to follow Christ’s example, we often fall short because we’re human. We make mistakes and yes even sometimes mess up royally.
I’ve lived away from home for almost 30 years, been happily married for over 27 and now have 2 “kids” in their 20’s. Yet if my parents ask me to do something, I do. Why? Because they are my parents. They aren’t perfect, just like me but I still honor them.
Exodus 20:12 says that we must honor our parents. It goes on to say that if we honor them, we will live long upon the Earth. That promise should tell us how important parents (or legal guardians) really are. Otherwise, why would God give such an important promise to a commandment? But that isn't all we are told to do, we are also commanded to obey our parents (Ephesians 6:1-3), and that's slightly different from honoring them.
Honoring someone is when you have an attitude of esteem for that person. If you study the three Biblical languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic), you'd find that they all agree on the most basic root of honor: respect. When showing honor to a parent, you seriously consider their counsel, emulate their strengths, and treat them respectfully. Obedience means "to follow orders." Can you see how the two meanings are different?
Practicing how to honor and obey our parents as kids helps we learn how to honor and obey God as we grow into adulthood (Psalm 103:17-18). Jesus says in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." Godly parents will teach their children how to honor and obey their Creator too (Deuteronomy 11:19; Proverbs 22:6).
What if I don't feel like honoring or obeying my parents?
There have been times in my life that I have felt my parents don't deserve my honor or obedience. One bad thing about being a teen is a lot of times you find that you're waking up to all your parents' faults. No, they aren't perfect people, and half the time they don't seem to even understand our generation, but that doesn't make them any less intelligent or wise. Here's a real life example that my mom and I laugh about all the time...
Just because your parents make mistakes and can't always understand everything about you or what you're doing, that doesn't mean they don't have useful knowledge that could help you in life. After all, they do have quite a few more years of life experience over any teenager. Even if your parents aren't Christian or if they aren't good, moral people for some reason, they can still know a lot about life that we don't.
Is there ever a time when I don't have to obey my parents?
The answer is yes, Acts 5:29 says that we must obey God rather than man. If your parents ever order you to do something that goes against God's law, then not only are you allowed to say no, but God wants you to say no.
All children (including teens!) need to honor and obey their parents. But once a child becomes an adult by age and by moving out of the house, out from under their parents' care they must still honor their parents. Just remember that honoring someone isn't easy either, so don't think you'll be able to wake up someday and never have to do another chore again. ;-)
Another thing to take note of is if you have a parent hurting you, getting help and escaping the abusive environment is not dishonoring them. Show your respect to an abusive parent by forgiving them, listening to their good advice, and trying to see their strengths. But by no means does that mean that if you are being harmed you need to let them continue.
I know that there will be times when your parent or guardian will positively annoy you, but remember that they have plenty of experience you don't have. Look past the geeky things they sometimes come out with. Try to look past all of the old fashioned things they do in life and listen to what they are really trying to say. Proverbs 1:8 says it the best: "Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching."
What if a person has no parents? Try honoring a older person - do something for them - even a smile or a hug could make someone's day !
Pastor Glenn
Judging Others
Imagine that you need surgery to remove a splinter of wood from your eye. It’s a dangerous procedure; one slip of the scalpel and you are ruined. The doctor tells you that the surgery will be no problem, but something about the doctor is so horrifying it’s comical. You notice he has a two-by-four through both his eyes.
That ludicrous scene is what Jesus was illustrating when He talked about judging others. He said, “Do not judge or you too will be judged…Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye…you hypocrite? First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
As human beings, you and I are prone to see the strengths and accomplishments in ourselves but let’s face it. We can be pretty quick to point out the imperfections and shorcomings in other people.
In judging the flaws of others, we are often blind to our own. It’s ludicrous to get in the judging business, for none of us has good enough vision to know the whole story. We simply don’t know all the details of another person’s situation or circumstance. Only God sees with complete vision. He’s the only one with 20/20 vision in understanding another person’s life. Let’s get into the loving business and leave the judging to God.
It’s pretty easy to fall into the habit of judging others
You can beat the habit of judging others by realizing you’re not perfect. You don’t have it all together and neither does everybody else.
Matthew 7:1 – “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.” (NLT)
Take the challenge to choose not to judge others. Choose to love them instead and believe that God will use you to be an encouragement and help into their life.
1 Corinthians 13:5
(Love) It is not rude, not self -seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.
We are all responsible to God for our own actions. He requires us "Not" keep wrong records of others. It is easier to look at someone and make a big parade of what are doing or have not done that seems to be out of line, rather than looking at ourselves. Romans 3:12, "There is no one who does good, not even one." We all have faults, we all fall into the sin of pride when we begin judge the actions of others, considering ourselves better than they are.
Today, consider taking your next thought of what someone has done that you perceive wrong, and privately give it to God and pray for them. Have you ever drop a stone in calm water and watch the ripples continue? That’s what happens when we do not exercise self-control when handling wrongs of others, the ripple of sin just continue to flow.
As teens, we certainly do have a tendency to judge others, do we not? For all of us, humility, which is the opposite of a judgmental spirit, is certainly not a natural trait!
Jesus often used very common examples to illustrate His eternal truths. Such is the case in these verses from Matthew 7. Oh, how He understood the true nature of man, for it is in our very nature to compare everyone to ourselves. However, is that truly the way we are to consider our fellow man? Do we actually think we are the absolute center of truth?
How, then, are we to judge one another? Jesus warned that we are not to judge falsely, for we are too prone to ignore the plank of sin in our own eye, but seek to remove the mere dust of sin we see in our neighbor's eye. Unfortunately, that is not just a problem for teens, but for all of us! What, then, is to be the real measure of truth and judgment?
God has given to us, in His Holy Word, a true standard for judging all matters. As a matter of fact, His Word is the only absolute measure for truth, righteousness, and holiness. All laws of man are to be subservient to God's Word, the Bible. Is that the way man views God's Word in this, the 21st century? No!
It seems as though from nation to nation we see the propensity to erase all evidence of the commandments of God. The Ten Commandments from the Bible are actually a summary of all that God has revealed to us regarding the way in which we should live and conduct ourselves. Yet, those very commandments are a raw reminder to man of his own sin. Which of those commandments are we not tempted to disobey? In our heart of hearts, we know that, though we may not actually break each and every commandment, we violate the principles of those commandments daily.
What, then, are we to do? Through the Lord Jesus Christ, God has granted to us a means of forgiveness--an access to God, Himself. Separated from Him by our sin, we are hopelessly and eternally condemned. But, through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, shed on the cross as payment for our sins, we have access to God. Through Christ, alone, there is forgiveness, and through Christ, alone, a way has been granted back to God.
Does that mean that when we accept Christ's payment for our sins that we cease to sin? Unfortunately, our sins will be a grief to us all of our days on this earth. However, as we grow in the Lord, through the study of His Holy Word, and through prayer and fellowship with Him, we find that sin loses its hold on us more and more. We will never be totally free of its grip upon us in this life, but we look forward to our life to come when the bonds of sin will be broken forever!
Can I encourage and challenge you today to seek Him. Let us study His Word, memorize it, and make it part of our daily lives. Let us fellowship with God in prayer, and seek the forgiveness of Christ, when sin rears its ugly head in our lives.
Judge not, that you be not judged! True judgment belongs to God, alone! Go to Him, for only in Him will you be released from the entanglement of sin.
What an amazing God we serve!
Imagine that you need surgery to remove a splinter of wood from your eye. It’s a dangerous procedure; one slip of the scalpel and you are ruined. The doctor tells you that the surgery will be no problem, but something about the doctor is so horrifying it’s comical. You notice he has a two-by-four through both his eyes.
That ludicrous scene is what Jesus was illustrating when He talked about judging others. He said, “Do not judge or you too will be judged…Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye…you hypocrite? First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
As human beings, you and I are prone to see the strengths and accomplishments in ourselves but let’s face it. We can be pretty quick to point out the imperfections and shorcomings in other people.
In judging the flaws of others, we are often blind to our own. It’s ludicrous to get in the judging business, for none of us has good enough vision to know the whole story. We simply don’t know all the details of another person’s situation or circumstance. Only God sees with complete vision. He’s the only one with 20/20 vision in understanding another person’s life. Let’s get into the loving business and leave the judging to God.
It’s pretty easy to fall into the habit of judging others
You can beat the habit of judging others by realizing you’re not perfect. You don’t have it all together and neither does everybody else.
Matthew 7:1 – “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.” (NLT)
Take the challenge to choose not to judge others. Choose to love them instead and believe that God will use you to be an encouragement and help into their life.
1 Corinthians 13:5
(Love) It is not rude, not self -seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.
We are all responsible to God for our own actions. He requires us "Not" keep wrong records of others. It is easier to look at someone and make a big parade of what are doing or have not done that seems to be out of line, rather than looking at ourselves. Romans 3:12, "There is no one who does good, not even one." We all have faults, we all fall into the sin of pride when we begin judge the actions of others, considering ourselves better than they are.
Today, consider taking your next thought of what someone has done that you perceive wrong, and privately give it to God and pray for them. Have you ever drop a stone in calm water and watch the ripples continue? That’s what happens when we do not exercise self-control when handling wrongs of others, the ripple of sin just continue to flow.
As teens, we certainly do have a tendency to judge others, do we not? For all of us, humility, which is the opposite of a judgmental spirit, is certainly not a natural trait!
Jesus often used very common examples to illustrate His eternal truths. Such is the case in these verses from Matthew 7. Oh, how He understood the true nature of man, for it is in our very nature to compare everyone to ourselves. However, is that truly the way we are to consider our fellow man? Do we actually think we are the absolute center of truth?
How, then, are we to judge one another? Jesus warned that we are not to judge falsely, for we are too prone to ignore the plank of sin in our own eye, but seek to remove the mere dust of sin we see in our neighbor's eye. Unfortunately, that is not just a problem for teens, but for all of us! What, then, is to be the real measure of truth and judgment?
God has given to us, in His Holy Word, a true standard for judging all matters. As a matter of fact, His Word is the only absolute measure for truth, righteousness, and holiness. All laws of man are to be subservient to God's Word, the Bible. Is that the way man views God's Word in this, the 21st century? No!
It seems as though from nation to nation we see the propensity to erase all evidence of the commandments of God. The Ten Commandments from the Bible are actually a summary of all that God has revealed to us regarding the way in which we should live and conduct ourselves. Yet, those very commandments are a raw reminder to man of his own sin. Which of those commandments are we not tempted to disobey? In our heart of hearts, we know that, though we may not actually break each and every commandment, we violate the principles of those commandments daily.
What, then, are we to do? Through the Lord Jesus Christ, God has granted to us a means of forgiveness--an access to God, Himself. Separated from Him by our sin, we are hopelessly and eternally condemned. But, through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, shed on the cross as payment for our sins, we have access to God. Through Christ, alone, there is forgiveness, and through Christ, alone, a way has been granted back to God.
Does that mean that when we accept Christ's payment for our sins that we cease to sin? Unfortunately, our sins will be a grief to us all of our days on this earth. However, as we grow in the Lord, through the study of His Holy Word, and through prayer and fellowship with Him, we find that sin loses its hold on us more and more. We will never be totally free of its grip upon us in this life, but we look forward to our life to come when the bonds of sin will be broken forever!
Can I encourage and challenge you today to seek Him. Let us study His Word, memorize it, and make it part of our daily lives. Let us fellowship with God in prayer, and seek the forgiveness of Christ, when sin rears its ugly head in our lives.
Judge not, that you be not judged! True judgment belongs to God, alone! Go to Him, for only in Him will you be released from the entanglement of sin.
What an amazing God we serve!
I believe that Jesus died in my place on the cross, I prayed, confessed my sin. I asked him to forgive me and I invited him into my life as my Savior and Lord. I gave him my heart and it was all great. I go to church (most of the time), read my Bible (when I have time), I pray (when I have time). Lately, I’ve made really bad choices and sometimes God seems so far away. I’ve screwed up again and again. A lot of bad stuff has gone down and honestly, I don’t even feel like I’m saved. Was I ever?
Have you been there? Maybe you have your head in your heads and you are thinking “OMG that is so me right now!”
If you are a Cristian, chances are the enemy has taken the cheap shot of doubt at you. He knows that stirring up doubt can get you off balance and shift your focus. In doing so, his goal is to get you to focus on how you feel rather than on what God has declared about you and the person he created you to be.
Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Each of us as human being are full of imperfections. We have the model of perfection to follow in Jesus but none of us in ourselves will ever reach God's standard (Romans 3:23), but He has promised us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ will be saved (John 3:16). The Creator of the universe died in our place, took the punishment we deserved, then came back to life. Once you have placed your faith in Christ by confessing that you are full of and in need of Him as your Savior, there is nothing that can separate you from him. Nothing. The apostle Paul went through great lengths to close any "loopholes" that people may think up when it comes to our salvation.
Look at your doubts. Where do they come from? Do you doubt that God really would care for you enough to save you? To die for you? Would he give his only Son, the dearest and most beloved and closest to his heart for you in a plan of perfect redemption only to yank it back from you because you are imperfect? Bury those doubts. No matter how good or bad you feel you are, the answer is the same: Just read Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." God knew you would mess up and fall short yet, God loves you despite how far you’ve fallen or how royally you’ve messed up.
On the flipside, if your doubts are not in God's ability, but your own personal belief, take a moment to evaluate yourself. Examine if you have truly believed God's promise. Second Corinthians 13:5 tells us that we are to "examine ourselves" to be sure that Christ is our Savior and that the Holy Spirit is in us. Your faith will be evident through works (James 2:14-26) and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
It all comes down to this question:
Do you believe and trust Jesus Christ?
Push everything else aside and honestly answer that question to yourself. If the answer is yes, then rejoice, there is nothing that can take you from Him! Your salvation is sealed with an impenetrable seal. Even when you fall down spiritually and are feeling low, your salvation is secure. Being saved does not depend on your mood or anything else you do (Ephesians 2:8).
If, when you ask yourself that question, you honestly have to answer no, then there is nothing preventing you from stopping everything you are doing right now and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. In that moment, you will be saved!
"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." —Romans 10:9-10
1 John 1:8
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us”
We have to take sin seriously because sin is lethal. Our old sinful nature is not completely eliminated. We are however not a slave to it and it can only have as much control over us as we allow it to. Why? Because a Christian has a new Master, a Christian has a new empowerment through the Holy Spirit.
For the Christian, sin is to be the exception, not the rule. God has made provision for that too.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
When we mess up and God feels distant. When the doubts come, unconfessed sin is often what needs to be dealt with. It’s time to get real with God. Talk to him one to one about those doubts, get the sin issues on the table and allow his restoration, healing and forgiveness to flow.
Be encouraged today. God’s mercy and grace is far greater than any doubt you will ever have!
- Pastor Glenn
Have you been there? Maybe you have your head in your heads and you are thinking “OMG that is so me right now!”
If you are a Cristian, chances are the enemy has taken the cheap shot of doubt at you. He knows that stirring up doubt can get you off balance and shift your focus. In doing so, his goal is to get you to focus on how you feel rather than on what God has declared about you and the person he created you to be.
Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Each of us as human being are full of imperfections. We have the model of perfection to follow in Jesus but none of us in ourselves will ever reach God's standard (Romans 3:23), but He has promised us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ will be saved (John 3:16). The Creator of the universe died in our place, took the punishment we deserved, then came back to life. Once you have placed your faith in Christ by confessing that you are full of and in need of Him as your Savior, there is nothing that can separate you from him. Nothing. The apostle Paul went through great lengths to close any "loopholes" that people may think up when it comes to our salvation.
Look at your doubts. Where do they come from? Do you doubt that God really would care for you enough to save you? To die for you? Would he give his only Son, the dearest and most beloved and closest to his heart for you in a plan of perfect redemption only to yank it back from you because you are imperfect? Bury those doubts. No matter how good or bad you feel you are, the answer is the same: Just read Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." God knew you would mess up and fall short yet, God loves you despite how far you’ve fallen or how royally you’ve messed up.
On the flipside, if your doubts are not in God's ability, but your own personal belief, take a moment to evaluate yourself. Examine if you have truly believed God's promise. Second Corinthians 13:5 tells us that we are to "examine ourselves" to be sure that Christ is our Savior and that the Holy Spirit is in us. Your faith will be evident through works (James 2:14-26) and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
It all comes down to this question:
Do you believe and trust Jesus Christ?
Push everything else aside and honestly answer that question to yourself. If the answer is yes, then rejoice, there is nothing that can take you from Him! Your salvation is sealed with an impenetrable seal. Even when you fall down spiritually and are feeling low, your salvation is secure. Being saved does not depend on your mood or anything else you do (Ephesians 2:8).
If, when you ask yourself that question, you honestly have to answer no, then there is nothing preventing you from stopping everything you are doing right now and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. In that moment, you will be saved!
"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." —Romans 10:9-10
1 John 1:8
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us”
We have to take sin seriously because sin is lethal. Our old sinful nature is not completely eliminated. We are however not a slave to it and it can only have as much control over us as we allow it to. Why? Because a Christian has a new Master, a Christian has a new empowerment through the Holy Spirit.
For the Christian, sin is to be the exception, not the rule. God has made provision for that too.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
When we mess up and God feels distant. When the doubts come, unconfessed sin is often what needs to be dealt with. It’s time to get real with God. Talk to him one to one about those doubts, get the sin issues on the table and allow his restoration, healing and forgiveness to flow.
Be encouraged today. God’s mercy and grace is far greater than any doubt you will ever have!
- Pastor Glenn
“I want to forgive, I want to forget, but it just doesn’t go away.”
The scars often run deep. You were wronged, hurt and violated. You didn’t deserve what was said or done to you. You wish it never happened but it did. Anger, fear and guilt have held you back and forgiveness – don’t even think about it. You’ve started to withdraw even from the people who love you because you are terrified of being hurt again.
Can you relate?
"Forgive and forget" is kind of a tricky phrase. Many people think that to "forgive and forget" means we have to selectively delete the offense from our memories and pretend it didn't happen Obviously, that's an impossibility, because our brains aren't hard drives or gig sticks we can just wipe clean, and pretending is just that—pretending.
The Bible doesn't use the phrase "forgive and forget," but the implied concept is one of continual forgiveness without holding grudges. That is, when you forgive someone, it's like you're giving them a clean slate. Why should we give anyone a clean slate? Because God does. He pardons our sins and overlooks everything we do against Him so that we can gain an eternal inheritance. "He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love." (Micah 7:18)
Follow Jesus' Example
God forgives our sins constantly, so why shouldn't we do the same? If a friend has hurt me, and I have granted her forgiveness, I can no longer hold the offenses against her. Even though I remember the issue that was so hurtful, I remember it with no weight, no pressure to hang on to it. I try to let it go and move on with life. Yes, it's hard to do. We really like to bring up old stuff sometimes because that can cause the biggest sting. But bringing up past pain is never helpful to a friendship.
When the disciple Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how often am I to forgive my brother when he sins against me? Seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:22) He's not saying that we keep a tally of times we forgive and stop after 490. In Jesus' time, saying "seventy times seven" implied a number that can't be counted. Like when you say, "I've told you a million times!" You don't mean it literally, but perhaps you mean that you've said it more times than you can count.
We should not keep track of how many times we are wronged or how many times we have forgiven someone who has offended us. Forgiveness is godly, and a forgiving heart overlooks offenses. If God can forgive us every day when He could easily strike us down for sinning against Him, how much more should we forgive others and not dish out constant punishment?
How NOT to Forget
Giving a person a clean slate is not the same as merely covering up an offense and pretending it'll get better on its own. As I said earlier, it's not like we can just hit "delete" on memories—especially painful ones. Change only happens in your heart when you make the decision not to hold a grudge. Grudges will only end up hurting both of you.
“One night, my boyfriend and I were goofing off with our church group in the gym when he took me aside to talk to me. Before I knew it, he had left without a real explanation as to why, leaving me with people I didn't really know that well. When he didn't return for the whole night, I became miserable that he had abandoned me and didn't tell me why he was leaving. I could barely return to socializing with the others.
I moped for the rest of the festivities. When I got home, my boyfriend was waiting for me outside and apologized. Even though I was hurt and confused, I told him that I forgave him, but I didn't really mean it. I tried to slap on an amnesia Band-Aid in hopes that it would just go away.
Soon, the black mark on my heart was visible again. The amnesia Band-Aid was insufficient for this gaping wound that had developed as I stewed over all the times he had hurt me. Sharp memories bled through until I flinched from flashbacks or balked at suggestions of another game night. I shut out my friends when they asked what was wrong, then convinced myself that they'd deserted me.
Finding True Healing
Real healing can only come with true openness to release the person who has wronged us. We must throw out all vengeful feelings and bitterness, allowing our hearts to soften toward them with honest forgiveness. In doing so, we become free to love others fully and reap heavenly rewards (Ephesians 4:32; 2 John 1:8).
It hurts to make an attempt at incomplete forgiveness. Trust me, I know. It seems silly now, and I realize it took far too long, but in the end, I did forgive my boyfriend for leaving me that night. The memories are still there and still hurt, but I don't hold it against him anymore.
Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." God wants all His children to forgive each other, just as He has forgiven us through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. He treats us as though we never sinned at all and doesn't hold our sins against us. So, in a sense, He "forgives and forgets."
In the same way, to truly forgive someone, we need to act as though they never hurt us in the first place. Yes, we still remember the offense, and yes, we can learn from it, but to truly forgive, we treat the person as though it never happened.
Pastor Amanda K.
You and I were custom built for relationships. We need each other. Friends are important and play a vital role in our lives but how far do friendships go? Where are the lines drawn in friendships with people who do not know Christ? It’s a real issue.
The book of Proverbs has some really good stuff about choosing your friends: "The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray" (Proverbs 12:26). Stay away from foolish people (13:20, 14:7), from people who lose their temper easily (22:24), and from those who rebel against God (24:21). All these things describe people who have not trusted their lives to Jesus Christ.
We are constantly bombarded with temptations—temptations that we struggle with or have to resist every day. Making good choices about what we are exposed to is practicing self-control and protecting ourselves from things that would make us wander away from God. In order to keep close to Him, we have to be aware of the things we do, the people we hang out with, and the words or images we allow into our heads.
You can pick your friends, but...
First Corinthians 15:33 talks about how we can easily take on the bad characteristics of immoral people around us. Unbelievers are slaves to sin (John 8:34), but Christians are slaves to God (1 Corinthians 7:22). Those are two very important differences! It's wise to be cautious about forming very, very close friendships (especially dating relationships) with non-Christians. Second Corinthians 6:14 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"
That said, we should still NOT turn our backs on unbelievers. After all, how else will the love of Christ be shown to them if we don't interact? The key to these friendships is in how we represent Christ through our own actions and words. How can you show your friends God's love?
Second Timothy 2:24-26 encourages us to be kind and avoiding fighting with people. Be gentle with those who do not believe in God; we are representing Him and should not do so in anger or with any bitterness. Be patient when people are hard to deal with. "Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father." (Matthew 5:16)
So, yes, if the opportunity arises, be a friend to anyone God puts in your path—Christians and non-Christians alike—so that they can see God's light shining through you. Maybe they'll notice that light and say, "I wonder what that is?" There is awesome power in the prayer of a righteous believer, so talk to God about your friends, and He will listen (James 5:16).
Close but Not Too Close
Remember what I said earlier about being careful not to develop very, very close friendships or dating relationships with non-Christians? The reason you need to be wary is that someone who has not chosen to follow Christ is not going to have the same spiritual and moral compass as a Christian. Allowing yourself to be influenced by a person who doesn't believe in God (or even hates Him) could cause you serious problems. Without vigilance, you could fall into a sinful lifestyle or start habits that are not honoring to God. Even worse, you might inadvertently turn others away from God by misrepresenting Him or what it means to be a Christian.
Of course, that could happen with Christian friends too. After all, none of us is perfect in every way. It's important in any friendship—with Christians or non-Christians—to always be careful about how much we allow others to influence us. Be on your guard, but don't allow yourself to feel superior to anyone either. All sin is the same to God, and we are no better or worse than any person around us. Yeah, it's hard to find that balance. No one said life would be easy, but God is your strength and Jesus is your guide (John 16:33).
There's nothing wrong with building great, meaningful friendships with unbelievers. But the main focus of your friendship should be to love them like God loves them and help them discover Christ by the way you live your life.
Did someone say YOLO ???
OF course you are familiar with the term. "YOLO," or the phrase "you only live once," it's a term that came into popularity somewhere in 2012, but it's still getting lots of use. YOLO promotes a let loose, who-cares lifestyle. The philosophy is communicated well enough in its name: you got one life, so pull out all the stops, and do everything. (And they mean everything.)
YOLO gets a bad rap because of its blatant disregard for thinking through an action to consider its consequences. While you can find the #yolo Twitter hashtag attached to things as harmless as a switch in breakfast choices ("Putting chocolate chips on my yogurt because #YOLO"), the general culture bred around the term is one of ingrained sensuality and recklessness ("Going home with a cute guy I just met because #YOLO").
With a "you only live once" attitude, actions that would have brought about, at best, disapproval can now be justified with one simple acronym. Will this wild party leave you hung over at work in the morning? Maybe, but YOLO! Is shoplifting a tub of ice cream going to end well? Probably not, but YOLO!
Some might argue that Solomon promoted a brand of "YOLO" in Ecclesiastes 8:15, which says, "So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun." But if you read this verse in context, we can see that Solomon is talking about embracing joy when we have it, not indulging in it forever.
To accept the argument that "you only live once so do whatever you want" would be to deny other passages in Scripture which condemn the shortsighted, foolish type of living YOLO promotes.
Psalm 90:12 says, "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom." Ephesians 5:15 says, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."First Corinthians 10:23 says, "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify."
So how should a Christian view YOLO? Here's our answer: CAREFULLY.While trying new things isn't inherently evil, or even bad, the types of things the YOLO culture seems focused on do not generally bring glory to God. Use common sense and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance when you're not sure. Ask, "Would this action reflect how God wants me to live?" It's true that you only live once on this earth; make the most of this life!
All that said, please know that God is not some kind of cosmic killjoy as He is sometimes portrayed. But He does see more of the big picture than we ever will, so if He says in His Word that something is not good, then it is something to be avoided regardless of whether or not the world approves.
"Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." --Ecclesiastes 11:9
OF course you are familiar with the term. "YOLO," or the phrase "you only live once," it's a term that came into popularity somewhere in 2012, but it's still getting lots of use. YOLO promotes a let loose, who-cares lifestyle. The philosophy is communicated well enough in its name: you got one life, so pull out all the stops, and do everything. (And they mean everything.)
YOLO gets a bad rap because of its blatant disregard for thinking through an action to consider its consequences. While you can find the #yolo Twitter hashtag attached to things as harmless as a switch in breakfast choices ("Putting chocolate chips on my yogurt because #YOLO"), the general culture bred around the term is one of ingrained sensuality and recklessness ("Going home with a cute guy I just met because #YOLO").
With a "you only live once" attitude, actions that would have brought about, at best, disapproval can now be justified with one simple acronym. Will this wild party leave you hung over at work in the morning? Maybe, but YOLO! Is shoplifting a tub of ice cream going to end well? Probably not, but YOLO!
Some might argue that Solomon promoted a brand of "YOLO" in Ecclesiastes 8:15, which says, "So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun." But if you read this verse in context, we can see that Solomon is talking about embracing joy when we have it, not indulging in it forever.
To accept the argument that "you only live once so do whatever you want" would be to deny other passages in Scripture which condemn the shortsighted, foolish type of living YOLO promotes.
Psalm 90:12 says, "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom." Ephesians 5:15 says, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."First Corinthians 10:23 says, "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify."
So how should a Christian view YOLO? Here's our answer: CAREFULLY.While trying new things isn't inherently evil, or even bad, the types of things the YOLO culture seems focused on do not generally bring glory to God. Use common sense and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance when you're not sure. Ask, "Would this action reflect how God wants me to live?" It's true that you only live once on this earth; make the most of this life!
All that said, please know that God is not some kind of cosmic killjoy as He is sometimes portrayed. But He does see more of the big picture than we ever will, so if He says in His Word that something is not good, then it is something to be avoided regardless of whether or not the world approves.
"Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." --Ecclesiastes 11:9
The dress code
A lot of people today won’t darken the door of a church because they think they have to measure up to some kind of dress code. Sadly in a lot of churches today, that seems to be true. I was actually at a church where a man was turned away at the front door because he was not dressed in a suit and tie. The image has never left my mind.
So what’s the deal? If you walk into church with a tat or a piercing are you going to be struck by lightning? If you have a hole in your jeans will the floor open and swallow you up?
Some people believe that if you're wearing jeans and a t-shirt to church, then you're being disrespectful to the Lord. They believe that you need to wear nice, possibly expensive, clothes that don't offend anyone else in the congregation. This viewpoint has several flaws.
First, that's implying that certain clothes can actually match the grace of God. If no human can ever match the glory of God (Romans 3:23), then nothing humans create can either. Second, this opinion causes people to judge others on what they wear, which Jesus tells us is not cool in John 7:24. Third, just because a man wears a tank top and shorts to church, that doesn't mean he loves God any less than the guy in a pinstripe suit.
Now that we've established that no clothes will ever be judged to be better than any others, you can see that to say one type of cloth is more "godly" than another is, to put it bluntly, stupid. Of course, that doesn't mean you should walk into church naked. It's a church, not a European beach. But you know what I mean. Now, personally, if I were going to meet with the President or a member of the Royal Family I’d suit up for the occasion. If I’m in the house of God why would I want to do any less for Him? So yeah I often throw on a sports jacket Sunday morning . But I'm sure I've offended more than one person by never wearing a tie . Once I even preached at a big youth rally in jeans, my cowboy boots and a hoodie - and no there was no epic thermo nuclear explosion that occurred bringing the world to an end !!
But, no. You don't have to dress to the nines for church. You can if you want, but God doesn't require it. But if you dress up only to feel special, get attention, or to look more important than the more casually-dressed people, then you're really just showing off, and your clothes have nothing to do with your respect for God. I’ve been criticized for allowing guys and girls from my youth group to come to church with ripped jeans, purple hair,pink hair, no hair and hardware hanging from everywhere. I’ve always jumped to their defence and told the criticizers “they are welcome here and just be thankful they are in church today.” I’m over the moon to see them there.
Maybe just being clean and showered is a person's "best" because they can't afford fancy clothes. That's fine! For others, maybe they feel that wearing their best clothes is showing God how important He is to them. And that's fine too. In the end, we could all do well to take a "spiritual bath" before church by confessing our sin to God. That is how we make ourselves pure.
It's your choice to dress up on Sunday mornings or not. Just remember, don't judge other people on their decision either way—dressing formally OR dressing casually. God is the ultimate judge of all, and when you arrive at those Pearly Gates, He's not going to look at your $80 khakis. He's going to look at your soul. And that’s what really matters. Don’t sweat it and don’t ditch church because of some lame dress code. Remember, in God’s book, it’s all about the heart code.
Pastor Glenn
A lot of people today won’t darken the door of a church because they think they have to measure up to some kind of dress code. Sadly in a lot of churches today, that seems to be true. I was actually at a church where a man was turned away at the front door because he was not dressed in a suit and tie. The image has never left my mind.
So what’s the deal? If you walk into church with a tat or a piercing are you going to be struck by lightning? If you have a hole in your jeans will the floor open and swallow you up?
Some people believe that if you're wearing jeans and a t-shirt to church, then you're being disrespectful to the Lord. They believe that you need to wear nice, possibly expensive, clothes that don't offend anyone else in the congregation. This viewpoint has several flaws.
First, that's implying that certain clothes can actually match the grace of God. If no human can ever match the glory of God (Romans 3:23), then nothing humans create can either. Second, this opinion causes people to judge others on what they wear, which Jesus tells us is not cool in John 7:24. Third, just because a man wears a tank top and shorts to church, that doesn't mean he loves God any less than the guy in a pinstripe suit.
Now that we've established that no clothes will ever be judged to be better than any others, you can see that to say one type of cloth is more "godly" than another is, to put it bluntly, stupid. Of course, that doesn't mean you should walk into church naked. It's a church, not a European beach. But you know what I mean. Now, personally, if I were going to meet with the President or a member of the Royal Family I’d suit up for the occasion. If I’m in the house of God why would I want to do any less for Him? So yeah I often throw on a sports jacket Sunday morning . But I'm sure I've offended more than one person by never wearing a tie . Once I even preached at a big youth rally in jeans, my cowboy boots and a hoodie - and no there was no epic thermo nuclear explosion that occurred bringing the world to an end !!
But, no. You don't have to dress to the nines for church. You can if you want, but God doesn't require it. But if you dress up only to feel special, get attention, or to look more important than the more casually-dressed people, then you're really just showing off, and your clothes have nothing to do with your respect for God. I’ve been criticized for allowing guys and girls from my youth group to come to church with ripped jeans, purple hair,pink hair, no hair and hardware hanging from everywhere. I’ve always jumped to their defence and told the criticizers “they are welcome here and just be thankful they are in church today.” I’m over the moon to see them there.
Maybe just being clean and showered is a person's "best" because they can't afford fancy clothes. That's fine! For others, maybe they feel that wearing their best clothes is showing God how important He is to them. And that's fine too. In the end, we could all do well to take a "spiritual bath" before church by confessing our sin to God. That is how we make ourselves pure.
It's your choice to dress up on Sunday mornings or not. Just remember, don't judge other people on their decision either way—dressing formally OR dressing casually. God is the ultimate judge of all, and when you arrive at those Pearly Gates, He's not going to look at your $80 khakis. He's going to look at your soul. And that’s what really matters. Don’t sweat it and don’t ditch church because of some lame dress code. Remember, in God’s book, it’s all about the heart code.
Pastor Glenn
"The Education Picture"
I can remember walking down the hall one day during a difficult year of high school thinking to myself " this will all be over soon, then my life can really begin." Reflecting back on it now, I had it all wrong.
If you are a young human being enrolled in public school, charter school, private school, or even homeschool, being a good student is your "job" right now. Because school is your job, it's important to follow the rules of your school as long as they do not cause you to sin against God. If your school requires you to be there at a certain time, then you should do your best to do so! If your teacher says to turn in an assignment by a certain day, then make sure you do it. If you're supposed to practice an instrument for orchestra or band, then get that into your afterschool schedule.
Of course, there are some days when home circumstances or a late bus or whatever will make you late or miss an assignment or practice through no fault of your own. God isn't going to be upset about that, and you will not have sinned against Him. But as an earthbound representative of Christ, it is important to try to be the best student you can be whenever it is in your power (1 Corinthians 10:31).
God calls all human beings to work—even if that work doesn't look like a normal 9-5 job. God did work in making the universe (Genesis 1:1-15), and His work is very good (Psalm 25:8; Ephesians 4:28; Genesis 1:31). He took pleasure in the outcome of what He had accomplished. He then put Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden to take care of it (Genesis 2:15). By this example, we know that God would like us to be productive in our lives. What we do on this earth should be done well, and our reward is the honor and satisfaction that comes from a job well done.
As a student, your "job" is to go to school, learn, and graduate so that you can move on to becoming useful in society. Why? Here are the biblical reasons why we are to do well at our jobs:
Work is good for not only us, but also for others (Exodus 23:10-11; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Ephesians 4:28). The outcome of our good work can have far-reaching effects!
Work is a gift from God and a way that He can bless us (Psalm 104:1-35; 127:1-5; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, 5:18-20). Proverbs 14:23 says, "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."
Work allows us to do what God has equipped us to do. God gives His people tools to do their work (Exodus 31:2-11). That is why He has put you in a situation where you CAN go to school and learn so that you can continue on in your life to be productive in the world.
Putting school near the top of your priority list is NOT ignoring God. (Just don't put ALL the way at the top.)
Making school a priority is doing your best to do the task that God has put before you—learning. The only way God would be disappointed in your trying to do well in school is if making your achievements became an idol or something you worship instead of God. That is, if you were so focused on winning awards or being the best in class that you began to hurt others' feelings or completely disregard anything the Holy Spirit says to you, then you will have become prideful about your status as a student (Proverbs 16:18), and that is a sin.
We can't take our grades with us into Heaven, so in the end, those achievements mean nothing anyway (Ecclesiastes 2:21-23). Yes, grades are important right now, but they aren’t everything there is to life. (ALSO SEE: Is it sinful to get bad grades?)
If you are not trying to put school before God in any unhealthy way, then you're doing just fine. Get back to work on raising any low grades and make sure your assignments are done and turned in on time. Talk to your teachers about how to bring up any grades you have let slip. Maybe there's extra credit you could do or you could re-take a failed test. Your teachers and school counselors are there to help you.
Being a good student honors God and shows Him how much you desire to do what He has planned for this time in your life. Do your best and know that God is pleased with you! "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." —1 Corinthians 10:31
I can remember walking down the hall one day during a difficult year of high school thinking to myself " this will all be over soon, then my life can really begin." Reflecting back on it now, I had it all wrong.
If you are a young human being enrolled in public school, charter school, private school, or even homeschool, being a good student is your "job" right now. Because school is your job, it's important to follow the rules of your school as long as they do not cause you to sin against God. If your school requires you to be there at a certain time, then you should do your best to do so! If your teacher says to turn in an assignment by a certain day, then make sure you do it. If you're supposed to practice an instrument for orchestra or band, then get that into your afterschool schedule.
Of course, there are some days when home circumstances or a late bus or whatever will make you late or miss an assignment or practice through no fault of your own. God isn't going to be upset about that, and you will not have sinned against Him. But as an earthbound representative of Christ, it is important to try to be the best student you can be whenever it is in your power (1 Corinthians 10:31).
God calls all human beings to work—even if that work doesn't look like a normal 9-5 job. God did work in making the universe (Genesis 1:1-15), and His work is very good (Psalm 25:8; Ephesians 4:28; Genesis 1:31). He took pleasure in the outcome of what He had accomplished. He then put Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden to take care of it (Genesis 2:15). By this example, we know that God would like us to be productive in our lives. What we do on this earth should be done well, and our reward is the honor and satisfaction that comes from a job well done.
As a student, your "job" is to go to school, learn, and graduate so that you can move on to becoming useful in society. Why? Here are the biblical reasons why we are to do well at our jobs:
Work is good for not only us, but also for others (Exodus 23:10-11; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Ephesians 4:28). The outcome of our good work can have far-reaching effects!
Work is a gift from God and a way that He can bless us (Psalm 104:1-35; 127:1-5; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, 5:18-20). Proverbs 14:23 says, "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty."
Work allows us to do what God has equipped us to do. God gives His people tools to do their work (Exodus 31:2-11). That is why He has put you in a situation where you CAN go to school and learn so that you can continue on in your life to be productive in the world.
Putting school near the top of your priority list is NOT ignoring God. (Just don't put ALL the way at the top.)
Making school a priority is doing your best to do the task that God has put before you—learning. The only way God would be disappointed in your trying to do well in school is if making your achievements became an idol or something you worship instead of God. That is, if you were so focused on winning awards or being the best in class that you began to hurt others' feelings or completely disregard anything the Holy Spirit says to you, then you will have become prideful about your status as a student (Proverbs 16:18), and that is a sin.
We can't take our grades with us into Heaven, so in the end, those achievements mean nothing anyway (Ecclesiastes 2:21-23). Yes, grades are important right now, but they aren’t everything there is to life. (ALSO SEE: Is it sinful to get bad grades?)
If you are not trying to put school before God in any unhealthy way, then you're doing just fine. Get back to work on raising any low grades and make sure your assignments are done and turned in on time. Talk to your teachers about how to bring up any grades you have let slip. Maybe there's extra credit you could do or you could re-take a failed test. Your teachers and school counselors are there to help you.
Being a good student honors God and shows Him how much you desire to do what He has planned for this time in your life. Do your best and know that God is pleased with you! "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." —1 Corinthians 10:31
Rejection
Nothing hurts worse than rejection. Whether you're the last one chosen for a team in gym or your crush totally blows you off when you ask them to the movies on Friday night—rejection is definitely the worst! We feel it deep in the pit of our stomachs, can't we? That terrible, gnawing feeling of being unwanted, unloved, and unappreciated.
So how can we get over that dreaded, sinking, embarrassing feeling? Well, there's good news and bad news. The bad news is that there will always be those times when we will be rejected by people; it's not something we'll ever grow out of. Sadly, no matter what we do, everyone eventually has to face rejection in one way or another.
The good news is that God will always accept and receive us no matter what! Psalm 27:10 says, "Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me." Even if our parents reject us, God says He will still be there for us. After all, we don't call Him our "Heavenly Father" for nothing. He's the ultimate good parent!
Whose opinion shapes you?
It's easy to become caught up in what others think about us. Whether it's our rejection or approval, we always seem to take to heart what others say. But rejection by people will be much easier to bear when we know we will always be accepted by Christ.
Don't let one person's opinion of you shape your entire self-image. Just because one person doesn't choose to love or accept you—for whatever reason—that does not mean that you are unlovable. Psalm 139:14 says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." You are wonderful because God says so. And who can argue with God?
Jesus also knows what it is like to be rejected, but He never let that change the shape of His holy character. Not only was He beaten and ridiculed before and during His crucifixion, but many today reject Him by not allowing Him into their hearts. Jesus definitely understands what it feels like when we are rejected and lonely (see Matthew 21:42; Mark 8:31). When we feel unwanted, unloved, and unappreciated, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus also knows that type of pain.
The REAL You is Awesome.
Remember that rejection by man can never define who you really are—as long as you don't let it. God says we are wonderful, custom-made creations, and we will always be accepted by Him. Hebrews 13:6 says, "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'" Others' words don't have to have power over you!
So the next time your crush says "No way!" when you ask if they are free on Friday night, just remember that while rejection does not feel good, it is only temporary. And hey, at least you were brave enough to give it a try, right? There are a lot more days left in your life for more adventures and good things.
Focus on the fact that the God of the universe, who created everything from the Junebug to Jupiter, says that YOU are wanted, loved, and appreciated. Who can beat that?
Nothing hurts worse than rejection. Whether you're the last one chosen for a team in gym or your crush totally blows you off when you ask them to the movies on Friday night—rejection is definitely the worst! We feel it deep in the pit of our stomachs, can't we? That terrible, gnawing feeling of being unwanted, unloved, and unappreciated.
So how can we get over that dreaded, sinking, embarrassing feeling? Well, there's good news and bad news. The bad news is that there will always be those times when we will be rejected by people; it's not something we'll ever grow out of. Sadly, no matter what we do, everyone eventually has to face rejection in one way or another.
The good news is that God will always accept and receive us no matter what! Psalm 27:10 says, "Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me." Even if our parents reject us, God says He will still be there for us. After all, we don't call Him our "Heavenly Father" for nothing. He's the ultimate good parent!
Whose opinion shapes you?
It's easy to become caught up in what others think about us. Whether it's our rejection or approval, we always seem to take to heart what others say. But rejection by people will be much easier to bear when we know we will always be accepted by Christ.
Don't let one person's opinion of you shape your entire self-image. Just because one person doesn't choose to love or accept you—for whatever reason—that does not mean that you are unlovable. Psalm 139:14 says, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." You are wonderful because God says so. And who can argue with God?
Jesus also knows what it is like to be rejected, but He never let that change the shape of His holy character. Not only was He beaten and ridiculed before and during His crucifixion, but many today reject Him by not allowing Him into their hearts. Jesus definitely understands what it feels like when we are rejected and lonely (see Matthew 21:42; Mark 8:31). When we feel unwanted, unloved, and unappreciated, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus also knows that type of pain.
The REAL You is Awesome.
Remember that rejection by man can never define who you really are—as long as you don't let it. God says we are wonderful, custom-made creations, and we will always be accepted by Him. Hebrews 13:6 says, "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'" Others' words don't have to have power over you!
So the next time your crush says "No way!" when you ask if they are free on Friday night, just remember that while rejection does not feel good, it is only temporary. And hey, at least you were brave enough to give it a try, right? There are a lot more days left in your life for more adventures and good things.
Focus on the fact that the God of the universe, who created everything from the Junebug to Jupiter, says that YOU are wanted, loved, and appreciated. Who can beat that?
Okay, so the Bible has like 66 books in it. That can be a little intimidating.
Here’s the deal. The Bible isn’t just a collection of books and it isn’t just an ordinary book. It is a God inspired revelation that has given to you and I. It has to be read and understood with spiritual vision and understanding. My advice then is, before you even open a Bible, hold up, pray and ask God by His Holy Spirit to open your eyes and your heart to the spiritual truths He has for you. It makes all the difference.
1. READ IT AS A TWO–WAY CONVERSATION. Imagine having a daily talk with God. You talk to him and he has something to say back to you. That's not a bad way to look at the Bible. Begin your reading time with prayer, asking God for understanding and guidance. Then be prepared to listen as he speaks through his Word.
2. READ IT IN DIFFERENT VERSIONS. Most people have a favorite version of the Bible. Nothing's wrong with that. But sometimes we get so familiar with certain words or phrases that they just don't mean much anymore. So grab a different translation and put a fresh twist on "that same old verse." Here are a few versions worth checking out at Biblegateway.com: The Message, New Living Translation and Contemporary English Version.
3. READ IT TO LEARN ABOUT A SPECIFIC TOPIC. Look up a ton of verses on angels, prayer, love, friendship, evil, happiness—whatever interests you. Many Bibles have indexes or concordances that list verses or passages related to major topics. Biblegateway.com has a button labeled "Topical Index." Use it to search out just about any area you can think of.
4. READ IT FOR THE BIG STORY. As you read the Bible, remember that there's a consistent theme all the way through: After the world goes bad, God sends a death–defying Superhero (Jesus) to deliver humanity from destruction and darkness. That's the whole story from Genesis to Revelation. Look for glimpses of this Big Story each time you read.
5. READ IT TO LEARN ABOUT JESUS. After his resurrection, Jesus led his disciples in a "Bible study" about himself—and he started with the writings of Moses and went on through all the teachings of the Old Testament prophets (Luke 24:27). The point: Jesus is all over the Bible—including the Old Testament. As you read the Old Testament, look for glimpses of Jesus. For instance, every time you read about sacrifices in Leviticus, realize that each sacrifice points to Jesus—the ultimate and lasting sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:11-15).
6. READ IT AS A RECORD OF MESSY HISTORY. Around 40 people from many different cultures and backgrounds wrote the Bible over a 1,500-year period. In the midst of all that history, you'll run across strange ancient rituals and practices. You'll find passages where God's people kept slaves, had dozens of wives, committed adultery, lied and cheated. The Bible really isn't the "clean and neat" book people often expect it to be. But it is honest and real. It also shows God's movement amid imperfect (and sometimes really messed–up) people. And this means our God can be trusted to stick with us no matter what.
7. READ IT INTENTIONALLY WITH A PURPOSE. While there are a lot of good ways to study the Bible, here is a method that works for a lot of people: Pick one book from the Bible and plan to read it from beginning to end over, say, a semester. If you haven't been reading the Bible for very long, pick one of the shorter New Testament books, like Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians or Colossians. Begin by reading a little bit about the book so you can understand why it was written. Two Bibles with good, short introductions (and many helpful study notes) are The Life Application Bible and The Student Bible.
Read a short section or chapter (around 10-15 verses) once. Ask yourself: What does this passage say? What does it mean? If needed, look up hard–to–understand words in a dictionary.
Read the short section again and ask: What is one thing from this passage I can apply to my life?
Ask yourself: What in this passage is hard to understand? Write down two or three questions you have about the passage and talk them over with a youth leader.
Tell someone what you've learned from the passage.
8. READ IT TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND DEFINE WHO YOU ARE. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are" (NLT). Read it with an open heart and attitude. Read it and let God's inspired words (2 Timothy 3:16) change you and shape you into a more godly and loving person (Ephesians 5:1-21).
Here’s the deal. The Bible isn’t just a collection of books and it isn’t just an ordinary book. It is a God inspired revelation that has given to you and I. It has to be read and understood with spiritual vision and understanding. My advice then is, before you even open a Bible, hold up, pray and ask God by His Holy Spirit to open your eyes and your heart to the spiritual truths He has for you. It makes all the difference.
1. READ IT AS A TWO–WAY CONVERSATION. Imagine having a daily talk with God. You talk to him and he has something to say back to you. That's not a bad way to look at the Bible. Begin your reading time with prayer, asking God for understanding and guidance. Then be prepared to listen as he speaks through his Word.
2. READ IT IN DIFFERENT VERSIONS. Most people have a favorite version of the Bible. Nothing's wrong with that. But sometimes we get so familiar with certain words or phrases that they just don't mean much anymore. So grab a different translation and put a fresh twist on "that same old verse." Here are a few versions worth checking out at Biblegateway.com: The Message, New Living Translation and Contemporary English Version.
3. READ IT TO LEARN ABOUT A SPECIFIC TOPIC. Look up a ton of verses on angels, prayer, love, friendship, evil, happiness—whatever interests you. Many Bibles have indexes or concordances that list verses or passages related to major topics. Biblegateway.com has a button labeled "Topical Index." Use it to search out just about any area you can think of.
4. READ IT FOR THE BIG STORY. As you read the Bible, remember that there's a consistent theme all the way through: After the world goes bad, God sends a death–defying Superhero (Jesus) to deliver humanity from destruction and darkness. That's the whole story from Genesis to Revelation. Look for glimpses of this Big Story each time you read.
5. READ IT TO LEARN ABOUT JESUS. After his resurrection, Jesus led his disciples in a "Bible study" about himself—and he started with the writings of Moses and went on through all the teachings of the Old Testament prophets (Luke 24:27). The point: Jesus is all over the Bible—including the Old Testament. As you read the Old Testament, look for glimpses of Jesus. For instance, every time you read about sacrifices in Leviticus, realize that each sacrifice points to Jesus—the ultimate and lasting sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:11-15).
6. READ IT AS A RECORD OF MESSY HISTORY. Around 40 people from many different cultures and backgrounds wrote the Bible over a 1,500-year period. In the midst of all that history, you'll run across strange ancient rituals and practices. You'll find passages where God's people kept slaves, had dozens of wives, committed adultery, lied and cheated. The Bible really isn't the "clean and neat" book people often expect it to be. But it is honest and real. It also shows God's movement amid imperfect (and sometimes really messed–up) people. And this means our God can be trusted to stick with us no matter what.
7. READ IT INTENTIONALLY WITH A PURPOSE. While there are a lot of good ways to study the Bible, here is a method that works for a lot of people: Pick one book from the Bible and plan to read it from beginning to end over, say, a semester. If you haven't been reading the Bible for very long, pick one of the shorter New Testament books, like Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians or Colossians. Begin by reading a little bit about the book so you can understand why it was written. Two Bibles with good, short introductions (and many helpful study notes) are The Life Application Bible and The Student Bible.
Read a short section or chapter (around 10-15 verses) once. Ask yourself: What does this passage say? What does it mean? If needed, look up hard–to–understand words in a dictionary.
Read the short section again and ask: What is one thing from this passage I can apply to my life?
Ask yourself: What in this passage is hard to understand? Write down two or three questions you have about the passage and talk them over with a youth leader.
Tell someone what you've learned from the passage.
8. READ IT TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND DEFINE WHO YOU ARE. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are" (NLT). Read it with an open heart and attitude. Read it and let God's inspired words (2 Timothy 3:16) change you and shape you into a more godly and loving person (Ephesians 5:1-21).
A lot of people believe partying hard is a part of adolescence. After all, doesn’t everybody want to fit in and be accepted by a certain group or crowd? And if everybody is doing it, what’s wrong with a little fun anyway?
Aren't there really only two fundamental reasons why any teen would go to a party anyway? One, to drink beer, and two, to talk to girls. Drinking is definitely something that should be avoided until you're of legal age, and even then, always practice moderation with alcohol. But you don't need parties for drinking. As for talking to girls, there are plenty of other ways to meet interesting people. Youth groups, school, church (although there are more important things to do in church than check out that cutie two pews ahead of you). You have options!
My youth group had a huge party at our Pastor’s house. It was loud and crazy. A grumpy neighbour called the cops at 8:00 pm on a Friday night ! When they found out there was no alcohol or drugs on board, they all laughed and said it was awesome to see teens having a blast without getting loaded.
It's true though: we were made to be in groups. As human beings, we want to be together, and parties are a natural effect of that desire. The Bible even says that we should be friends with Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:9), God the Father (1 John 1:3), and the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:1). In fact, 1 John 1:7 says that we should be friends with other believers simply because we have at least one thing in common—we've all been saved. The only thing we're warned not to be friends with is evil (1 Corinthians 10:20). Not going to argue that one.
Pick Your Parties
Like most things, not every party is created equal. There are going to be good ones and bad ones. In an ideal world, instead of eating pot brownies (laced with marijuana) and playing "Spin the Bottle," kids would eat "Lot" brownies (laced with sea salt) and play "Spin the Bible." But clearly, that's not going to happen anytime soon. (Oh, if you do happen to be at a party in which they play "Spin the Bible," leave as soon as possible, because that sounds like some kind of strange pagan ritual. XD)
So, the best thing to do is to avoid parties in which you know for sure beforehand that there will be illegal or immoral activity going on. But how far is too far? If the party is going to have drinking, drugs, and/or sex games, it's not a place for you. Sure, you might think you can party innocently, but as a believer, you need to be on your guard about temptations (2 Timothy 2:19) or hanging out with people who will lead you in the wrong direction (1 Corinthians 15:33).
When You Can't Say No - have an out.
Any teen knows as well as I do, that saying "no" to a party is not always possible, or else you say "yes," thinking it's a safe party, but then you get there and find people crowded around a beer keg. Sometimes it can be hard to be sure if a party is going to be okay or not.
The best thing to do if you find yourself at a party where you're pressured to do things you're not comfortable doing is to leave. Just leave! If you came with a friend, and they seem to be giving into the pressure, remind them of their predestined morals and encourage them to leave with you. If they do, great. If they don't, just express your disappointment with their choice (in the most kind and gentle way possible; see Ephesians 4:15), then get yourself out of there—before some old lady next door calls the cops with a noise complaint.
Parties as a "Mission Field"
Now, some people might say, "But I'll go into the darkness and be a light for Christ! I'll share God's love with unbelievers and show them the hope within us!" Riiiight. Do you really think that non-Christians at any given party came with hearts prepared to receive the gospel? If there's drinking, drugs, and sex in the back rooms, it's pretty unlikely. While we shouldn't pass up on a chance to hang out with other believers if we can help it, we do need to be careful about inviting temptations into our lives or giving the impression that we're involved in things that compromise our morals. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 is pretty clear on avoiding all appearance of evil and Ephesians 4:26-27 is also crystal clear. What do I really want to open myself up to by even showing up to a party?
So, should Christians go to parties? We (I...#foreveralone) see no problem with parties in and of themselves. God wants you to have a good time but he also knows what will kill you emotionally physically and spiritually. —So long as your parents have given you permission to go and they are well chaperoned. Parties can be a good way to socialize and catch up with friends while enjoying chaste, moral behavior. Wisdom and discernment is the thing here. However, certain parties should be avoided if they promote sinful actions or expose us to temptations that would put us in a position where we might choose to sin. Also, remember the Bible is loaded with passages warning about not being a stumbling block.
What if I put in an appearance at a party scene with no intention of getting wasted or having sex but the new kid from youth group is there. They’ve been struggling in those areas and now they see me. Ooops.
Is it really worth the compromise to fit in? As one writer put it “ Go with the flow and you gonna drown”.
Go for the higher caller calling! Something to really consider, think about and pray about.
- Pastor J
What’s with the “Soul Mate” thing ?
Okay, you’re reading an article on a teen site so chances are you're probably not married yet, but this is still valid for future reference. Once you're married, the person you've married is the person you are meant to be with. Mark 10:7-9 says, "A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." A husband and wife are "united," "one flesh," "no longer two, but one," and "joined together"—soul mates, if you want to be romantic. ;-)
The idea of a "soul mate" is that for every person there is another person who is a "perfect fit," and if you marry anyone other than this soul mate, you will never be happy. This idea of soul mates goes way back to the teachings of Plato in the 3rd century. But does the Bible say anything about soul mates? Fantastic and romantic as it is, having a soul mate is not a biblical idea.
For centuries, people have been using the soul mate idea as grounds to break up or even divorce . A person becomes unhappy in a relationship, then claims they are obviously not with "the one" and should therefore break up. At that point, they feel they can justify the search for their "true" soul mate. Sorry, people, but that's nothing more than an excuse—a pretty blatantly unbiblical one, too.
Even if a relationship is not as perfect and joyous as a couple wishes it could be, once they're married, they are soul mates. By following what the Bible teaches about marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33), a couple can develop the intimacy, love, and commitment that being "one flesh" soul mates is all about. No matter how disharmonious a marriage is, God can bring healing, forgiveness, restoration, and true marital love and harmony.
How can I know if I'm with the right person? Is it possible to marry the wrong person?
If we listen to God and seek His direction for our lives, He promises to direct us: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6). What happens if you don't trust in God's ways and if you decide to choose what's best instead of letting God direct you? Well, you leave yourself open to stray off in the wrong direction. In a time of disobedience toward God, and if we aren't taking His guidance to heart, then yes, it's possible to marry someone God did not desire you to marry.
However, even in that case, God is still in control and knows the best next steps. Nothing we do can mess up God's sovereign will. He can take any two people, no matter how mismatched, and mold them into two people who are perfect for each other. That's how much He loves us and shows how powerful He really is!
If you maintain a close friendship with God, listen to His leading, and obey Him, He will lead and guide you. If you are truly trying to follow His will for your life and His desire is for you to marry, God will lead you to the person He intends for you to be with—your "soul mate."
Okay, you’re reading an article on a teen site so chances are you're probably not married yet, but this is still valid for future reference. Once you're married, the person you've married is the person you are meant to be with. Mark 10:7-9 says, "A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." A husband and wife are "united," "one flesh," "no longer two, but one," and "joined together"—soul mates, if you want to be romantic. ;-)
The idea of a "soul mate" is that for every person there is another person who is a "perfect fit," and if you marry anyone other than this soul mate, you will never be happy. This idea of soul mates goes way back to the teachings of Plato in the 3rd century. But does the Bible say anything about soul mates? Fantastic and romantic as it is, having a soul mate is not a biblical idea.
For centuries, people have been using the soul mate idea as grounds to break up or even divorce . A person becomes unhappy in a relationship, then claims they are obviously not with "the one" and should therefore break up. At that point, they feel they can justify the search for their "true" soul mate. Sorry, people, but that's nothing more than an excuse—a pretty blatantly unbiblical one, too.
Even if a relationship is not as perfect and joyous as a couple wishes it could be, once they're married, they are soul mates. By following what the Bible teaches about marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33), a couple can develop the intimacy, love, and commitment that being "one flesh" soul mates is all about. No matter how disharmonious a marriage is, God can bring healing, forgiveness, restoration, and true marital love and harmony.
How can I know if I'm with the right person? Is it possible to marry the wrong person?
If we listen to God and seek His direction for our lives, He promises to direct us: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6). What happens if you don't trust in God's ways and if you decide to choose what's best instead of letting God direct you? Well, you leave yourself open to stray off in the wrong direction. In a time of disobedience toward God, and if we aren't taking His guidance to heart, then yes, it's possible to marry someone God did not desire you to marry.
However, even in that case, God is still in control and knows the best next steps. Nothing we do can mess up God's sovereign will. He can take any two people, no matter how mismatched, and mold them into two people who are perfect for each other. That's how much He loves us and shows how powerful He really is!
If you maintain a close friendship with God, listen to His leading, and obey Him, He will lead and guide you. If you are truly trying to follow His will for your life and His desire is for you to marry, God will lead you to the person He intends for you to be with—your "soul mate."
Okay God, I'm still praying but not seeing results ......
Is all prayer answered? Scripture teaches that God does answer our prayers (John 16:24); but Scripture also says that there are some conditions for effective prayer. What are some reasons the Bible gives for God not answering our prayers?
1.We don't really believe God can answer them.
Jesus said:
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22)
James wrote:
“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” (James 1:6-8).
Believing is perhaps the best known condition for prayer. But there are other reasons prayer is not answered.
2.We ask with wrong motives.
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3).
3.Unconfessed sin separates us from God, so that He will not hear.
“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities (sins) have separated you from God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).
4.We set up idols in our hearts that come between us and God.
“Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all?” (Ezekiel 14:3).
5.We don't answer those who cry to us for help.
“If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered” (Proverbs 21:13).
6.We don't remain in God/God's Word doesn't remain in us.
“If you remain in me and my word remains in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you” (John 15:7).
What does God always promise to give to those who believe?
1.Salvation
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
2.Forgiveness of Sins
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
3.Wisdom
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Most importantly, we must belong to God before we can communicate with God. “He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God” (John 8:47).
Sometimes we don't see or understand God's answers.
God is all-knowing and can see things that we can't. The Bible tells us to trust God, rather than our own understanding of what's best for us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The Bible also says that God works in ways that we sometimes can't understand:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declared the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
1 Corinthians 13:12 tells us that now we see things dimly, as in a mirror, but someday we will see clearly and understand how God answered our prayers.
Don’t give up. Keep praying and keep on believing God !