I love paintball! I love the excitement of heading out into the woods with my team and not having any idea when the enemy is going to poke out from behind a tree and scare the crap of me. Not to mention "Lite me up with paintballs". I love how my team comes up with a plan and we all commit to do whatever it takes to win. If it means running full speed across the battlefield to grab the flag, then we'll do that. I mean paintball is brutal and when you play you play to win. No one wants to lose! When I play paintball I'm in the middle of a fight.
Thinking about this has made me think of the Desperation song "I'm counting on God". In that song it says:
"I'm in a fight not physical, I'm in a war, but not with this world".
We need to start realizing we are in a war. Just like when I go out and play paintball I know I'm in a war. We need to know that we live in a war. It's not physical, it's spiritual.
SO WHAT?
The Bible says in Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Today when you come up against evil, when the devil tries to throw something in your face... Remember that you are in a battle. Stand up and fight! Turn some worship music on and start praying. If the devil attacks us with things that are spiritual, then we need to fight back with the things God has given us. Do it today. Realize you are in a BATTLE and fight, do good and watch how you are able to overcome it.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Can I Really Do That?
Lately, I've been struggling like crazy to trust God for the things in my life that are really important.
I feel that it's easy for me to trust God with feeding the children in Africa and it's easy to trust God to love me, but when it comes to what I'm suppose to do today I get confused. Everyday we make so many decisions and they all impact our lives in huge ways. Choices we make in our relationships with our parents and friends can change the quality of our lives. If we make the right decisions then we will live a great life, or if we make the wrong choices our lives are going to take a nose dive. I had been getting so caught up in trying to make sure I didn't make a stupid move that I was driving myself crazy. Then I found this verse:
Proverbs 3: 5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
I realized after reading this verse that I don't need to be freaked about every choice I make. I need to trust God to lead me.
SO WHAT?
God will only lead us if we stop trying to run our own lives. If you are tired of spending most of your time wondering if you are making the right choices, then just STOP! Stop trying to make your own life happen and start trusting God. Lean not on what you think you should do. Take time to let God speak to you and make sure you take time to listen.
I feel that it's easy for me to trust God with feeding the children in Africa and it's easy to trust God to love me, but when it comes to what I'm suppose to do today I get confused. Everyday we make so many decisions and they all impact our lives in huge ways. Choices we make in our relationships with our parents and friends can change the quality of our lives. If we make the right decisions then we will live a great life, or if we make the wrong choices our lives are going to take a nose dive. I had been getting so caught up in trying to make sure I didn't make a stupid move that I was driving myself crazy. Then I found this verse:
Proverbs 3: 5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
I realized after reading this verse that I don't need to be freaked about every choice I make. I need to trust God to lead me.
SO WHAT?
God will only lead us if we stop trying to run our own lives. If you are tired of spending most of your time wondering if you are making the right choices, then just STOP! Stop trying to make your own life happen and start trusting God. Lean not on what you think you should do. Take time to let God speak to you and make sure you take time to listen.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Captivating-For the Girls
FOR the GIRLS!
Over the years we’ve come to see that the only thing more tragic than the things that have happened to us is what we have done with them.
Words were said; painful words. Things were done; awful things. And it shaped us. Something inside of us shifted. We embraced the messages of our wounds. We accepted a view of ourselves. And from that we chose a way of relating to our world. We made a vow never to be in that place again. We adopted strategies to protect ourselves from being hurt again. A woman that is living out of a broken, wounded heart is a woman who is living a self-protective life. She may not be aware of it but it is true. It’s our way of trying to “save ourselves.”
And, we also developed ways of trying to get something of the love our hearts cried out for. The ache is there. Our desperate need for love and affirmation, our thirst for some taste of romance and adventure and something to be wanted for is there. So we turned to boys or to food or to romance novels, we lost ourselves in our work or at church or in some sort of service. All this adds up to the woman we are today. Much of what we call our “personalities” is actually the mosaic of our choices for self-protection plus our plan to get something of the love we were created for.
The problem is, our plan has nothing to do with God.
The wounds we received and the messages they brought form a sort of unholy alliance with our fallen nature as women. From Eve we received a deep mistrust in the heart of God towards us. Clearly, he’s holding out on us. We’ll just have to arrange for the life we want. We will control our world. But there is also an ache deep within, an ache for intimacy and for life. We’ll have to find a way to fill it.
(Captivating, 74-75) Eldredge
So What?
God is here to captivate your heart! Find your love and significance in the God that desires to have a relationship with you!
Take a look at your heart today and see what hurts have shaped you into the woman you are today. Write those down and start to give those hurts to God! Allow God to come in and give you freedom.
Over the years we’ve come to see that the only thing more tragic than the things that have happened to us is what we have done with them.
Words were said; painful words. Things were done; awful things. And it shaped us. Something inside of us shifted. We embraced the messages of our wounds. We accepted a view of ourselves. And from that we chose a way of relating to our world. We made a vow never to be in that place again. We adopted strategies to protect ourselves from being hurt again. A woman that is living out of a broken, wounded heart is a woman who is living a self-protective life. She may not be aware of it but it is true. It’s our way of trying to “save ourselves.”
And, we also developed ways of trying to get something of the love our hearts cried out for. The ache is there. Our desperate need for love and affirmation, our thirst for some taste of romance and adventure and something to be wanted for is there. So we turned to boys or to food or to romance novels, we lost ourselves in our work or at church or in some sort of service. All this adds up to the woman we are today. Much of what we call our “personalities” is actually the mosaic of our choices for self-protection plus our plan to get something of the love we were created for.
The problem is, our plan has nothing to do with God.
The wounds we received and the messages they brought form a sort of unholy alliance with our fallen nature as women. From Eve we received a deep mistrust in the heart of God towards us. Clearly, he’s holding out on us. We’ll just have to arrange for the life we want. We will control our world. But there is also an ache deep within, an ache for intimacy and for life. We’ll have to find a way to fill it.
(Captivating, 74-75) Eldredge
So What?
God is here to captivate your heart! Find your love and significance in the God that desires to have a relationship with you!
Take a look at your heart today and see what hurts have shaped you into the woman you are today. Write those down and start to give those hurts to God! Allow God to come in and give you freedom.
The Reason For The Warrior -Guys
GUYS READ
Our God is a Warrior because there are certain things in life worth fighting for, must be fought for. He makes man a Warrior in his own image, because he intends for man to join him in that battle.
One day the young man Moses, prince of Egypt, went out to see for himself the oppression of his kinsmen. When he witnessed firsthand an Egyptian taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave, he couldn’t bear it, and killed the man. A rash act, for which he becomes a fugitive, but you see something of the Warrior emerging in him. Years later, God sends him back to set all his people free, and, I might add, it is one intense fight to win that freedom. David also fights, battle after battle, to win the freedom of his people and unite the tribes of Israel. Something in the man compelled him, that same something that wouldn’t allow Lincoln to simply sit by and watch the Union tear itself apart, wouldn’t permit Churchill—despite the views of many of his own countrymen—to sit by and let the Nazis take over Europe unopposed. For he knew that in the end they would have England, too.
There are certain things worth fighting for. A marriage, for example, or the institution of marriage as a whole. Children, whether they are yours or not. Friendships will have to be fought for, as you’ve discovered by now, and churches, too, which seem bent on destroying themselves if they are not first destroyed by the enemy who hates them. Many people feel that earth itself is worth fighting for. Doctors fight for the lives of their patients, and teachers for the hearts and futures of their students. Take anything good, true, or beautiful upon this earth and ask yourself, “Can this be protected without a fight?”
(The Way of The Wild Heart , 140,.141) John Eldredge
What are you willing to fight for today? Your relationships, your God, your Fusion, the bag boy at Kroger that doesn't know God?
God wants you to realize the battle is all around you....can you see it?
We need to start fighting now because our time is now! If we want to live in God's purpose for our lives today we need to fight for it and those around us daily!
Our God is a Warrior because there are certain things in life worth fighting for, must be fought for. He makes man a Warrior in his own image, because he intends for man to join him in that battle.
One day the young man Moses, prince of Egypt, went out to see for himself the oppression of his kinsmen. When he witnessed firsthand an Egyptian taskmaster beating a Hebrew slave, he couldn’t bear it, and killed the man. A rash act, for which he becomes a fugitive, but you see something of the Warrior emerging in him. Years later, God sends him back to set all his people free, and, I might add, it is one intense fight to win that freedom. David also fights, battle after battle, to win the freedom of his people and unite the tribes of Israel. Something in the man compelled him, that same something that wouldn’t allow Lincoln to simply sit by and watch the Union tear itself apart, wouldn’t permit Churchill—despite the views of many of his own countrymen—to sit by and let the Nazis take over Europe unopposed. For he knew that in the end they would have England, too.
There are certain things worth fighting for. A marriage, for example, or the institution of marriage as a whole. Children, whether they are yours or not. Friendships will have to be fought for, as you’ve discovered by now, and churches, too, which seem bent on destroying themselves if they are not first destroyed by the enemy who hates them. Many people feel that earth itself is worth fighting for. Doctors fight for the lives of their patients, and teachers for the hearts and futures of their students. Take anything good, true, or beautiful upon this earth and ask yourself, “Can this be protected without a fight?”
(The Way of The Wild Heart , 140,.141) John Eldredge
What are you willing to fight for today? Your relationships, your God, your Fusion, the bag boy at Kroger that doesn't know God?
God wants you to realize the battle is all around you....can you see it?
We need to start fighting now because our time is now! If we want to live in God's purpose for our lives today we need to fight for it and those around us daily!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Happily Ever After Has Been Stolen
Our Enemy is a thief, and of all the precious things he has stolen from our hearts, his worst act of treachery has been to steal our future from us. He has stolen all the magic and promise and wonder of the happily ever after. Very few of us live with hope. To those without faith, he has whispered, “Your story ends with an accident, and then . . . there is nothing. This is as good as it gets.”
Small wonder people drink too much, eat too much, watch too much TV, basically check out. If they allow themselves to feel the depth of their actual longing for life and love and happiness, but have no hope that life will ever come . . . it’s just too much to bear.
But to those who search in faith for the ending of the Story, our Enemy has whispered an even more diabolical lie, harder to dispel because it is veiled in religious imagery: “Heaven will be a never-ending church service in the sky.” All those silly images of clouds and harps. I’ve heard innumerable times that “we shall worship God forever.” That “we shall sing one glorious hymn after another, forever and ever, amen.”
It sounds like hell to me.
Seriously now—even though we were given Eden as our paradise, this whole wondrous world of beauty, intimacy, and adventure, in the life to come we will be sent to church forever because that’s better somehow? There is no hope in that. That’s not what’s written on our hearts.
I mean, really. We have dreamed better dreams than God can dream? We have written stories that have a better ending than God has provided? It cannot be.
I have some really good news for you: that’s not the so-called Good News. Not even close.
John Eldredge ( Epic , 79, 80)
Small wonder people drink too much, eat too much, watch too much TV, basically check out. If they allow themselves to feel the depth of their actual longing for life and love and happiness, but have no hope that life will ever come . . . it’s just too much to bear.
But to those who search in faith for the ending of the Story, our Enemy has whispered an even more diabolical lie, harder to dispel because it is veiled in religious imagery: “Heaven will be a never-ending church service in the sky.” All those silly images of clouds and harps. I’ve heard innumerable times that “we shall worship God forever.” That “we shall sing one glorious hymn after another, forever and ever, amen.”
It sounds like hell to me.
Seriously now—even though we were given Eden as our paradise, this whole wondrous world of beauty, intimacy, and adventure, in the life to come we will be sent to church forever because that’s better somehow? There is no hope in that. That’s not what’s written on our hearts.
I mean, really. We have dreamed better dreams than God can dream? We have written stories that have a better ending than God has provided? It cannot be.
I have some really good news for you: that’s not the so-called Good News. Not even close.
John Eldredge ( Epic , 79, 80)
Monday, October 27, 2008
Waking the Dead-John Eldredge
Once more, lend a mythic eye to your situation. Let your heart ponder this:
You awake to find yourself in the middle of a great and terrible war. It is, in fact, our most desperate hour. Your King and dearest Friend calls you forth. Awake, come fully alive, your good heart set free and blazing for him and for those yet to be rescued. You have a glory that is needed. You are given a quest, a mission that will take you deep into the heart of the kingdom of darkness, to break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron so that your people might be set free from their bleak prisons. He asks that you heal them. Of course, you will face many dangers; you will be hunted.
Would you try and do this alone?
Something stronger than Fate has chosen you. Evil will hunt you. And so a Fellowship must protect you.
Honestly, though he is a very brave and true Hobbit, Frodo hasn’t a chance without Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. He will need his friends. And you will need yours. You must cling to those you have, you must search wide and far for those you do not yet have. You must not go alone. From the beginning, right there in Eden, the Enemy’s strategy has relied upon a simple aim: Divide, and conquer. Get them isolated, and take them out.
You see this sort of thing at the center of every great story. Dorothy takes her journey with the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Lion, and of course, Toto. Maximus rallies his little band and triumphs over the greatest empire on earth. When Captain John Miller is sent deep behind enemy lines to save Private Ryan, he goes in with a squad of men. And, of course, Jesus had the Twelve. This is written so deeply on our hearts: You must not go alone. The Scriptures are full of such warnings, but until we see our desperate situation, we hear it as an optional religious assembly for an hour on Sunday mornings.
Imagine you are surrounded by a small company of friends who know you well (characters, to be sure, but they love you, and you have come to love them). They understand that we are all at war, know that the purposes of God are to bring a man or woman fully alive, and are living by sheer necessity and joy in the Four Streams. They fight for you, and you for them. Imagine you could have a little fellowship of the heart. Would you want it, if it were available?
That is our destiny.
(Waking The Dead , 186, 187 )
You awake to find yourself in the middle of a great and terrible war. It is, in fact, our most desperate hour. Your King and dearest Friend calls you forth. Awake, come fully alive, your good heart set free and blazing for him and for those yet to be rescued. You have a glory that is needed. You are given a quest, a mission that will take you deep into the heart of the kingdom of darkness, to break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron so that your people might be set free from their bleak prisons. He asks that you heal them. Of course, you will face many dangers; you will be hunted.
Would you try and do this alone?
Something stronger than Fate has chosen you. Evil will hunt you. And so a Fellowship must protect you.
Honestly, though he is a very brave and true Hobbit, Frodo hasn’t a chance without Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. He will need his friends. And you will need yours. You must cling to those you have, you must search wide and far for those you do not yet have. You must not go alone. From the beginning, right there in Eden, the Enemy’s strategy has relied upon a simple aim: Divide, and conquer. Get them isolated, and take them out.
You see this sort of thing at the center of every great story. Dorothy takes her journey with the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Lion, and of course, Toto. Maximus rallies his little band and triumphs over the greatest empire on earth. When Captain John Miller is sent deep behind enemy lines to save Private Ryan, he goes in with a squad of men. And, of course, Jesus had the Twelve. This is written so deeply on our hearts: You must not go alone. The Scriptures are full of such warnings, but until we see our desperate situation, we hear it as an optional religious assembly for an hour on Sunday mornings.
Imagine you are surrounded by a small company of friends who know you well (characters, to be sure, but they love you, and you have come to love them). They understand that we are all at war, know that the purposes of God are to bring a man or woman fully alive, and are living by sheer necessity and joy in the Four Streams. They fight for you, and you for them. Imagine you could have a little fellowship of the heart. Would you want it, if it were available?
That is our destiny.
(Waking The Dead , 186, 187 )
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Honor them and I will honor you
Break-Out
Jesus tells us to honor our parents. That is one of the reasons we do it. The other reason is because they need it. Your parents need to know that you are thankful for everything they do for you.
Today take a couple minutes today and make a note for your mom and dad. It can just be a letter, or you can make a really cool looking card. In it, tell them how much you love them and tell them something you really like about them.
Then go and hide it somewhere your parents will find it. See how many days it takes them to find it.
Your parents are put in your life by God. Even if things are hard sometimes, if you make the effort to honor your parents, God will see that and He will bless you for it.
Jesus tells us to honor our parents. That is one of the reasons we do it. The other reason is because they need it. Your parents need to know that you are thankful for everything they do for you.
Today take a couple minutes today and make a note for your mom and dad. It can just be a letter, or you can make a really cool looking card. In it, tell them how much you love them and tell them something you really like about them.
Then go and hide it somewhere your parents will find it. See how many days it takes them to find it.
Your parents are put in your life by God. Even if things are hard sometimes, if you make the effort to honor your parents, God will see that and He will bless you for it.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Never Alone
BREAK IN-
You know you are never alone right?
You aren't. No matter what you do, or how you feel, you are never alone in this world.
God is always right there. Though it may not feel like it right now, He is.
STOP!
Right now just stop and be quiet. Turn off the TV or stereo. Ask God to show up in your life. Ask Him to come and be part of your day today. Pray that God would teach you things today and that you would be able to be a witness for Him.
Try to talk to Jesus every hour of the day today. Just take a minute and pray. Make Jesus a huge part of your life today.
And see how it changes your day. I'm sure you will get a lot out of it. Then try to make it into a lifestyle.
Later
You know you are never alone right?
You aren't. No matter what you do, or how you feel, you are never alone in this world.
God is always right there. Though it may not feel like it right now, He is.
STOP!
Right now just stop and be quiet. Turn off the TV or stereo. Ask God to show up in your life. Ask Him to come and be part of your day today. Pray that God would teach you things today and that you would be able to be a witness for Him.
Try to talk to Jesus every hour of the day today. Just take a minute and pray. Make Jesus a huge part of your life today.
And see how it changes your day. I'm sure you will get a lot out of it. Then try to make it into a lifestyle.
Later
Friday, October 24, 2008
“I’m Not Here” from Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
Incredible. What a self-indictment. “Nothing dangerous is happening here.” Those men have already been taken out because they’ve swallowed the Enemy’s first line of attack: “I’m not here—this is all just you.” You can’t fight a battle you don’t think exists. This is right out of The Screwtape Letters, where Lewis has the old devil instruct his apprentice in this very matter:
My dear Wormwood, I wonder you should ask me whether it is essential to keep the patient in ignorance of your own existence. That question, at least for the present phase of the struggle, has been answered for us by the High Command. Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves.
As for those who want to be dangerous (cutting-edge), take a close look at 1 Peter 5:8–9: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
What is the Holy Spirit, through Peter, assuming about your life? That you are under spiritual attack. This is not a passage about nonbelievers; he’s talking about “your brethren.” Peter takes it for granted that every believer is under some sort of unseen assault. And what does he insist you do? Resist the devil. Fight back, take a stand.
(Wild At Heart , 159, 160)
How will you take a stand today? How will you fight back? How will you resist?
Write out a list of things you can do today to answer these questions!
Take control of your thoughts
My dear Wormwood, I wonder you should ask me whether it is essential to keep the patient in ignorance of your own existence. That question, at least for the present phase of the struggle, has been answered for us by the High Command. Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves.
As for those who want to be dangerous (cutting-edge), take a close look at 1 Peter 5:8–9: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
What is the Holy Spirit, through Peter, assuming about your life? That you are under spiritual attack. This is not a passage about nonbelievers; he’s talking about “your brethren.” Peter takes it for granted that every believer is under some sort of unseen assault. And what does he insist you do? Resist the devil. Fight back, take a stand.
(Wild At Heart , 159, 160)
How will you take a stand today? How will you fight back? How will you resist?
Write out a list of things you can do today to answer these questions!
Take control of your thoughts
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Step it up!
Proverbs 20:24
24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand his own way?
Do you know what is feels like to walk by faith and not by sight? When I was in twentyfourseven we had a lot of different experiences that allowed you to put your faith to the test; in God, yourself, and your team. One exercise required you to put on a blindfold and allow your teammates to direct you from one point to another through a maze of obstacles. As you can image, at first it is hard to trust your teammates as they tell you to move 3 steps to the right, 1 up, 2 over, all the while feeling that you are about to hit objects all around you. I remember one step that I didn’t trust them with and I moved the other direction right into a giant bush. However, as I placed my trust in my team that was directing me I found it was almost freeing to allow them to direct me to the finish line. Taking my blindfold off, I was impressed that they led me through so many obstacles and tight situations.
So what?
God sees our life like the obstacle course. He can see your start and finish and all the obstacles in-between. Whether we follow step by step as he directs us or we continually fall into bushes, he has a plan for us and wants us to live walking by faith and not by sight. Take 10 minutes today and ask God how you can follow him by faith; tell your friend about Jesus, walk the old lady across the street, or pay for someone’s lunch. Then follow through and walk it out at school, home, anywhere you are! Walking by faith may pull you out of your comfort zone but after you do it God will give you boldness and courage to continue walking as he directs you!
24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand his own way?
Do you know what is feels like to walk by faith and not by sight? When I was in twentyfourseven we had a lot of different experiences that allowed you to put your faith to the test; in God, yourself, and your team. One exercise required you to put on a blindfold and allow your teammates to direct you from one point to another through a maze of obstacles. As you can image, at first it is hard to trust your teammates as they tell you to move 3 steps to the right, 1 up, 2 over, all the while feeling that you are about to hit objects all around you. I remember one step that I didn’t trust them with and I moved the other direction right into a giant bush. However, as I placed my trust in my team that was directing me I found it was almost freeing to allow them to direct me to the finish line. Taking my blindfold off, I was impressed that they led me through so many obstacles and tight situations.
So what?
God sees our life like the obstacle course. He can see your start and finish and all the obstacles in-between. Whether we follow step by step as he directs us or we continually fall into bushes, he has a plan for us and wants us to live walking by faith and not by sight. Take 10 minutes today and ask God how you can follow him by faith; tell your friend about Jesus, walk the old lady across the street, or pay for someone’s lunch. Then follow through and walk it out at school, home, anywhere you are! Walking by faith may pull you out of your comfort zone but after you do it God will give you boldness and courage to continue walking as he directs you!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Proverbs 24:3 and 4
Proverbs 24: 3-4
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Wisdom:
knowledge of what is true or right fused together with just judgment as to action; discernment
discernment: The act or process of exhibiting devoted insight and good judgment.
Just like building a house, God wants to build each of us into a temple- a house where he is the found. To build his house we have to make sure the foundation and the walls of the house are solid. That comes from wisdom, continuously knowing and getting to know God and listening to his voice and acting on it. As you grow in this wisdom you start to understand how to build your house sturdier and how to use it to help others and launch God’s purpose. Over time God gives you rare and beautiful treasures to fill the rooms of your heart through the knowledge of who God is and how he works in your life!
So what?
What is God’s building plan for you? Take time and think of ways that you can get to know God better so you can start building yourself up to be a house where God lives! Then start to think about the treasures that he has already started to give you to fill those rooms in your heart, your parents, the things you love to do, the purpose he has created you for, understanding an idea of who God is, etc.
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Wisdom:
knowledge of what is true or right fused together with just judgment as to action; discernment
discernment: The act or process of exhibiting devoted insight and good judgment.
Just like building a house, God wants to build each of us into a temple- a house where he is the found. To build his house we have to make sure the foundation and the walls of the house are solid. That comes from wisdom, continuously knowing and getting to know God and listening to his voice and acting on it. As you grow in this wisdom you start to understand how to build your house sturdier and how to use it to help others and launch God’s purpose. Over time God gives you rare and beautiful treasures to fill the rooms of your heart through the knowledge of who God is and how he works in your life!
So what?
What is God’s building plan for you? Take time and think of ways that you can get to know God better so you can start building yourself up to be a house where God lives! Then start to think about the treasures that he has already started to give you to fill those rooms in your heart, your parents, the things you love to do, the purpose he has created you for, understanding an idea of who God is, etc.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Don't want no MORE, no more
Have you ever just gotten tired of the normal routine of life? Get up, hit the alarm clock, fall back asleep, finally get up, eat breakfast, go to school, come home and do more homework? I mean it just gets old. We all love new things, right? I mean think about Christmas. Who doesn't like getting new things, no one. We all love the adventure of opening up a box and finding out what is inside. Well if your just feeling kind of tired of the normal, check out this verse
Lamentations 3:22-24 (New Living Translation)
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends![a]
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”
New every morning. What do you think about that? No longer should we wake up and be "today is just another day". Every day is full of God's blessings and is mercies are new every morning.
SO WHAT?
If your feeling like today is just one of those days. Stop right now and close your eyes and imagine God pouring out His mercies on you. He is in heaven doing just that right now. Believe and spend the rest of your day today, living like it.
Lamentations 3:22-24 (New Living Translation)
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends![a]
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”
New every morning. What do you think about that? No longer should we wake up and be "today is just another day". Every day is full of God's blessings and is mercies are new every morning.
SO WHAT?
If your feeling like today is just one of those days. Stop right now and close your eyes and imagine God pouring out His mercies on you. He is in heaven doing just that right now. Believe and spend the rest of your day today, living like it.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Your Not Strong Enough
What are some things in your life that are reliable? Alarm clocks, sunrises,
mom telling you to eat your vegatables. I remember my mom, if I ever got a cut on my finger or a scratch on my knee, she would be right there with band-aids to fix me up. She was amazing. I always knew she would be there for me. I relied on her to help me and I never doubted that she would be there. Now that I’m older I understand that my mom can’t do everything for me. She isn’t always with me, but God is. I’ve realized that now that I’m older I need to look first to God and rely on Him more than anyone else. We can’t even rely on ourselves. God is the only person we should be looking too.
2 Corinthians 1:9 says
“Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
SO WHAT?
Today realize that God is your strength. Remember that you can rely on Him to help you in your time of struggle. If you are going through any kind of difficulties, or if you just need a helping hand throughout your average day... Look to God! He is waiting to be your help. RELY on Him.
mom telling you to eat your vegatables. I remember my mom, if I ever got a cut on my finger or a scratch on my knee, she would be right there with band-aids to fix me up. She was amazing. I always knew she would be there for me. I relied on her to help me and I never doubted that she would be there. Now that I’m older I understand that my mom can’t do everything for me. She isn’t always with me, but God is. I’ve realized that now that I’m older I need to look first to God and rely on Him more than anyone else. We can’t even rely on ourselves. God is the only person we should be looking too.
2 Corinthians 1:9 says
“Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
SO WHAT?
Today realize that God is your strength. Remember that you can rely on Him to help you in your time of struggle. If you are going through any kind of difficulties, or if you just need a helping hand throughout your average day... Look to God! He is waiting to be your help. RELY on Him.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Break In
We are all created for a purpose! Give God a few minutes today to speak his purpose into your life! Take 5 minutes and listen to worship music and clear out all of the distractions from your week; things you did wrong, homework, everything.
(If you don’t have any worship music get on YouTube and type in desperation band)
Pray Jeremiah 29: 11 -13
“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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Now take another 5 minutes and ask God to tell you his plan for your life, clear your thoughts and just let him speak. He might give you a picture in your head, a word, a book, a bible verse, etc. If you don’t get anything don’t be discouraged. Try getting up and walking around or clearing your brain of everything you are thinking about.
Examples: I want you to speak to children, Africa, Doctor, Pastor, Prophesy, I love when you work with your grandma, I have sent you to change nations.
Write in your journal and on the comment page what you heard and think over it and pray about it. Let someone know what you heard.
How do you think you do what God has called you to do? Write 3 things you can do this week to start walking in God’s plan for your life.
(If you don’t have any worship music get on YouTube and type in desperation band)
Pray Jeremiah 29: 11 -13
“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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Now take another 5 minutes and ask God to tell you his plan for your life, clear your thoughts and just let him speak. He might give you a picture in your head, a word, a book, a bible verse, etc. If you don’t get anything don’t be discouraged. Try getting up and walking around or clearing your brain of everything you are thinking about.
Examples: I want you to speak to children, Africa, Doctor, Pastor, Prophesy, I love when you work with your grandma, I have sent you to change nations.
Write in your journal and on the comment page what you heard and think over it and pray about it. Let someone know what you heard.
How do you think you do what God has called you to do? Write 3 things you can do this week to start walking in God’s plan for your life.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Where am I Heading?
Have you ever made plans to do something that you really wanted to do? Maybe you were heading on vacation and you were making plans to do something, or some friends were getting ready to hang out and you were all talking about how you were going to stay up all night. Making plans are so much fun, especially when they happen just like you had planned them. Do you know that God makes plans for you? That He has dreams for you everyday of your life. Here is what Jeremiah 29:11 says
“I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
How cool is it to be a part of God’s story? To be a part of the plans God has for you is like being part of the most amazing thing ever. His plans are all about making your life incredible. God wants to take you places and do things in your life that will blow you out of the water.
SO WHAT?
Take time right now and think about some things God has already brought into your life and how they have effected you. Pray and thank God for the plans He has for you. Then take some time and ask God what are some plans He might have for you in the coming future. I know He has plans for you, get ready to begin experiencing them.
“I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
How cool is it to be a part of God’s story? To be a part of the plans God has for you is like being part of the most amazing thing ever. His plans are all about making your life incredible. God wants to take you places and do things in your life that will blow you out of the water.
SO WHAT?
Take time right now and think about some things God has already brought into your life and how they have effected you. Pray and thank God for the plans He has for you. Then take some time and ask God what are some plans He might have for you in the coming future. I know He has plans for you, get ready to begin experiencing them.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Live Strong
How strong are you? Really, on a scale from 1-10 how strong would you rate yourself? One being you have trouble picking up clothes off your floor, ten being you look like someone from the Power Team. ha ha. We all see ourselves in many different ways, sometimes we may think we are strong and other times we may feel like we’re the wimpiest person around. Do you know that it doesn’t matter how strong you think you are. The great part about having God in our life is that He is going to be your strength. It says in Phillipians 4:13
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Jesus is always giving us strength. All we need to do is reach out and grab hold of the strength Jesus is giving us. In ourselves we really are not that strong, but with Jesus living inside of us we have all the power in the world.
SO WHAT?
Today as your working and doing school. Ask Jesus to come and be with you. Ask Him to give you the strength that He has. Trust Jesus to make you strong through him and you’ll find new strength each and every day.
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Jesus is always giving us strength. All we need to do is reach out and grab hold of the strength Jesus is giving us. In ourselves we really are not that strong, but with Jesus living inside of us we have all the power in the world.
SO WHAT?
Today as your working and doing school. Ask Jesus to come and be with you. Ask Him to give you the strength that He has. Trust Jesus to make you strong through him and you’ll find new strength each and every day.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak.
In Colorado Springs where I lived before coming to Georgia there is a massive mountain that overlooks the whole city called Pikes Peak. It towers over everything and you can see it from pretty much anywhere in the city. When you climb or drive to the top of this 14,000 Foot high mountain, there is a café and look out where you can see far and wide. But my favorite view of Pikes Peak is at night. Many nights I would be driving home from a long day and would look up to the top of the mountain. On the very top of the mountain is a light. It shines all day, every day.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 5: 14, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Every night as I looked at this mountain and the light on it, God reminded me that I am suppose to be a light to all those around me and it takes sacrifice and hard work to get to the top of that mountain to shine your light.
So What?
Where has God asked you to sacrifice so you can be a light to those around you? Has he asked you to step out of your comfort zone to talk to people or to be more excellent with how you act around people so they can tell there is a light inside of you that shines on them? Think of 5 ways that you can be a light to those around you today.
In Colorado Springs where I lived before coming to Georgia there is a massive mountain that overlooks the whole city called Pikes Peak. It towers over everything and you can see it from pretty much anywhere in the city. When you climb or drive to the top of this 14,000 Foot high mountain, there is a café and look out where you can see far and wide. But my favorite view of Pikes Peak is at night. Many nights I would be driving home from a long day and would look up to the top of the mountain. On the very top of the mountain is a light. It shines all day, every day.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 5: 14, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Every night as I looked at this mountain and the light on it, God reminded me that I am suppose to be a light to all those around me and it takes sacrifice and hard work to get to the top of that mountain to shine your light.
So What?
Where has God asked you to sacrifice so you can be a light to those around you? Has he asked you to step out of your comfort zone to talk to people or to be more excellent with how you act around people so they can tell there is a light inside of you that shines on them? Think of 5 ways that you can be a light to those around you today.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
It's time for something different
I remember being in school and getting into trouble, a lot. When I wasn’t behaving my teacher would make me go and stand in the corner. I would stand there with my nose pushed into the corner and close my eyes. I could hear all the other kids in the room talking and laughing and having a good time. My teacher didn’t want to put me in the corner, but she had to because I just wasn’t behaving. Do you remember when someone who loved you had to punish you? When you look back on it you can see how it was because they loved you and wanted to help you from making the same mistake again. Jesus does the same thing. Jesus sees all of the things we do wrong and the mistakes we make and He wants to help us learn from our mistakes. It says in the Bible
Good friend, follow your father's good advice;
don't wander off from your mother's teachings.
Wrap yourself in them from head to foot;
wear them like a scarf around your neck.
Wherever you walk, they'll guide you;
whenever you rest, they'll guard you;
when you wake up, they'll tell you what's next.
For sound advice is a beacon,
good teaching is a light and it is the way to life.
Jesus has told us that we need to listen to Him and do what He says, but He also tells us to listen and obey our parents. Just like my teacher in school had to punish me and make me stand in the corner, sometimes your parents will have to punish you. But always remember they love you.
SO WHAT?
What are somethings that your parents are trying to teach you? We all let our parents down sometimes, but the real question is “then what?” When you let your parents down what do you do? Do you allow them to help you and teach you like Jesus wants you to or do you blow them off and not listen to them. If your parents have tried teaching you something recently and you have not listened to them, today is the perfect time to go and talk to them about it. Tell them you are sorry for not listening and tell them you are going to try your best to listen to them from now on. I believe in you and Jesus is always there to help you listen to your parents. Let’s start becoming people who love Jesus and who love our parents.
Good friend, follow your father's good advice;
don't wander off from your mother's teachings.
Wrap yourself in them from head to foot;
wear them like a scarf around your neck.
Wherever you walk, they'll guide you;
whenever you rest, they'll guard you;
when you wake up, they'll tell you what's next.
For sound advice is a beacon,
good teaching is a light and it is the way to life.
Jesus has told us that we need to listen to Him and do what He says, but He also tells us to listen and obey our parents. Just like my teacher in school had to punish me and make me stand in the corner, sometimes your parents will have to punish you. But always remember they love you.
SO WHAT?
What are somethings that your parents are trying to teach you? We all let our parents down sometimes, but the real question is “then what?” When you let your parents down what do you do? Do you allow them to help you and teach you like Jesus wants you to or do you blow them off and not listen to them. If your parents have tried teaching you something recently and you have not listened to them, today is the perfect time to go and talk to them about it. Tell them you are sorry for not listening and tell them you are going to try your best to listen to them from now on. I believe in you and Jesus is always there to help you listen to your parents. Let’s start becoming people who love Jesus and who love our parents.
Monday, October 13, 2008
I Believe I can Fly
There are many reasons that we follow God. We follow Him because He saved us from our sins and died on the cross for us. We follow Him because He loves us and we love him. Today let’s look at another reason to follow God.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Jesus tells us to follow Him, because He has rest for us. He tells us to follow Him because He sees all of the stuff going on in our lives that is hard for us to deal with. Jesus has made a way for us to give all of the baggage we carry to Him and he will carry it for us. He is the strongest person ever, He is God. He died for us so that we don’t have to carry the baggage by ourselves.
SO WHAT?
If you have crazy stuff going on in your life right now, go back and read Matthew 11:28-30 out loud and then spend time praying. Ask God to take the baggage you’ve been carrying away from you and ask Him to give you a new start in life. Remember, baggage doesn’t have to be big huge sins, it can be anything. If your worrying about school or if you and your best friend are going through a hard time, you can give that to God and He will carry it for you. Today is a day to let go of the things that weigh you down and to let Jesus come in.
"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles."
Charlie Chaplin
Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Jesus tells us to follow Him, because He has rest for us. He tells us to follow Him because He sees all of the stuff going on in our lives that is hard for us to deal with. Jesus has made a way for us to give all of the baggage we carry to Him and he will carry it for us. He is the strongest person ever, He is God. He died for us so that we don’t have to carry the baggage by ourselves.
SO WHAT?
If you have crazy stuff going on in your life right now, go back and read Matthew 11:28-30 out loud and then spend time praying. Ask God to take the baggage you’ve been carrying away from you and ask Him to give you a new start in life. Remember, baggage doesn’t have to be big huge sins, it can be anything. If your worrying about school or if you and your best friend are going through a hard time, you can give that to God and He will carry it for you. Today is a day to let go of the things that weigh you down and to let Jesus come in.
"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles."
Charlie Chaplin
Sunday, October 12, 2008
BREAK OUT- LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
Do you often have trouble forgiving people like your parents, siblings, friends, or teachers? Do you find yourself angry with them and thinking of ways to get back at them? When we live with unforgiveness in our heart toward anyone it separates us from God. Jesus says in Luke 6:31 and 32, “Do to others, as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?”
Later in the chapter Jesus reminds us, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged.” We have to forgive others just as our Father in heaven has forgiven us from all the stuff we have done wrong. Everyone messes up, but that is why God gives us mercy, compassion, kindness, and forgiveness when we are undeserving.
Jesus then says this, “For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” He allows us to choose if we are going to love those around us who mess up just like we do or if we are going to live angry with people. But the way we treat others will be how he treats us.
Take time today and think of those people you need to forgive. It might be hard at first but pray and ask God to help you forgive them. Once you have forgiven them, go and apologize to that person for being unforgiving. This will allow God to start healing your heart and free you from anger.
Later in the chapter Jesus reminds us, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged.” We have to forgive others just as our Father in heaven has forgiven us from all the stuff we have done wrong. Everyone messes up, but that is why God gives us mercy, compassion, kindness, and forgiveness when we are undeserving.
Jesus then says this, “For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” He allows us to choose if we are going to love those around us who mess up just like we do or if we are going to live angry with people. But the way we treat others will be how he treats us.
Take time today and think of those people you need to forgive. It might be hard at first but pray and ask God to help you forgive them. Once you have forgiven them, go and apologize to that person for being unforgiving. This will allow God to start healing your heart and free you from anger.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
BREAK IN, I LOVE...
Get out your journal and at the top of the page write in big letters,
THINGS I LOVE TO DO
Then take time to fill the page up with what you love to do.
Baseball, cooking, sports, running, talking, watching movies, drawing, playing guitar,
climb mountains, hiking, singing, camping, eating supper with my family, walking my dogs, smelling roses, worshiping, reading my Bible, and the feeling of being on a roller coaster.
Ok so we can see what we love to do, now go to the next page and write
HOW CAN GOD USE IT
You know God has given you things you love to do and there must be a good reason for them. On this page write out how God can use the things you love to help you live for Him. If you love cooking write
Cooking- God can use me to make cookies for someone who is sick.
or if you love walking your dogs, write
Walking my dogs-God can use that to help me meet other people who I can tell about Him.
Keep this paper somewhere that you can go back and look at it.
Have a great day.
THINGS I LOVE TO DO
Then take time to fill the page up with what you love to do.
Baseball, cooking, sports, running, talking, watching movies, drawing, playing guitar,
climb mountains, hiking, singing, camping, eating supper with my family, walking my dogs, smelling roses, worshiping, reading my Bible, and the feeling of being on a roller coaster.
Ok so we can see what we love to do, now go to the next page and write
HOW CAN GOD USE IT
You know God has given you things you love to do and there must be a good reason for them. On this page write out how God can use the things you love to help you live for Him. If you love cooking write
Cooking- God can use me to make cookies for someone who is sick.
or if you love walking your dogs, write
Walking my dogs-God can use that to help me meet other people who I can tell about Him.
Keep this paper somewhere that you can go back and look at it.
Have a great day.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Training Camp
The first day of football practice, I can remember it just like it was yesterday. I had no idea how to put on my pads, so I had to have my coach and my friends help me get it on. Then after I got it on, I remember that I couldn’t even move, it felt so weird having this huge piece of plastic hanging on me and I looked really funny too. Before long though, I was getting used to it and after I took that first big hit, I was like “Thank God, I’m wearing this stuff”. The Bible talks about this same thing. When we first become Christians it feels different than how we were used to living. We need Jesus (our coach) and other Christian friends to help us. Here is what the Bible says:
Colossians 2:6-7
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Just like I had to learn how to play football, we need to learn how to live as Christians. We need to keep following Jesus and everyday we follow Him, He is going to teach us more and more. It is the greatest adventure we will ever go on. Better than a roller coaster, better than a safari, better than a haunted house. Living and growing with Jesus is mind blowing.
SO WHAT?
Think about an area of your life that you need to follow God more closely in. Are you overflowing with thankfulness like the verse says? Are you able to live and be kind to your friends and your family all the time? Today, commit to follow God more closely in one area and keep following Him in that area until you can live it the way God wants you to.
"I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions."
Dorothy Day
Colossians 2:6-7
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Just like I had to learn how to play football, we need to learn how to live as Christians. We need to keep following Jesus and everyday we follow Him, He is going to teach us more and more. It is the greatest adventure we will ever go on. Better than a roller coaster, better than a safari, better than a haunted house. Living and growing with Jesus is mind blowing.
SO WHAT?
Think about an area of your life that you need to follow God more closely in. Are you overflowing with thankfulness like the verse says? Are you able to live and be kind to your friends and your family all the time? Today, commit to follow God more closely in one area and keep following Him in that area until you can live it the way God wants you to.
"I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions."
Dorothy Day
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
You Can Be A Jason!
Proverbs 3:1-4
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
I once had a friend who I really liked a lot. One day I thought to myself “It’s like Jason is friends with everybody”. After that I started watching him more closely. I watched how he talked with teachers, I listened when he talked to new kids at school and I heard how he joked around with his close friends. Know what I found out? Jason was a friend to everyone. It wasn’t because he was the football star, or because he was popular or had money or was cool. Everyone liked Jason, because he never talked bad about anyone. He never went behind anyone’s back. He was always making people smile and he would always go out of his way to do something kind for anyone.
SO WHAT?
Because of how Jason lived he was responsible for 100’s of kids from his school seeing that Jesus was real and full of love. Everyone knew he was a Christian and he showed everyone what a true Christian is really like. He didn’t conform to the rest of the kids at his school, he let God transform him into a amazing Christian. How can you show your school that Jesus is real and full of love? What do people who know you say about you when your not around. People always talked about how Jason was always smiling and how he would always say hi to them and ask them how they were doing. Something as simple as that can make you a Jason in your school. Try it! There is no reason not to.
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
I once had a friend who I really liked a lot. One day I thought to myself “It’s like Jason is friends with everybody”. After that I started watching him more closely. I watched how he talked with teachers, I listened when he talked to new kids at school and I heard how he joked around with his close friends. Know what I found out? Jason was a friend to everyone. It wasn’t because he was the football star, or because he was popular or had money or was cool. Everyone liked Jason, because he never talked bad about anyone. He never went behind anyone’s back. He was always making people smile and he would always go out of his way to do something kind for anyone.
SO WHAT?
Because of how Jason lived he was responsible for 100’s of kids from his school seeing that Jesus was real and full of love. Everyone knew he was a Christian and he showed everyone what a true Christian is really like. He didn’t conform to the rest of the kids at his school, he let God transform him into a amazing Christian. How can you show your school that Jesus is real and full of love? What do people who know you say about you when your not around. People always talked about how Jason was always smiling and how he would always say hi to them and ask them how they were doing. Something as simple as that can make you a Jason in your school. Try it! There is no reason not to.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
"Just How Much?"
Think of someone you know that really loves something. It could be someone who loves sports, cars, music, anything. Just think of one person who loves something with all that they have. A person who would stay up past midnight watching a football game, or someone who would spend tons of money on their dream car. These are the kinds of people who have serious love for material things. They can’t get enough of it. You know those music lovers, they always have music on and they are always telling you about the latest new bands. People become addicted to things they love.
Deutoronomy 6:4-6
4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.[a] 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.
SO WHAT?
Is that how you love God? Are you willing to spend hours with Him, because you can’t get enough of Him? Take some time and think about the things you love, do any of them take up more of your time that Jesus? If they do you should take some time and pray about them. Make sure they are not an idol to you. We are suppose to love God with all we have everyday, not what is left for Him Sundays.
Spend extra time with God today and allow Him to transform some of things you love.
Deutoronomy 6:4-6
4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.[a] 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.
SO WHAT?
Is that how you love God? Are you willing to spend hours with Him, because you can’t get enough of Him? Take some time and think about the things you love, do any of them take up more of your time that Jesus? If they do you should take some time and pray about them. Make sure they are not an idol to you. We are suppose to love God with all we have everyday, not what is left for Him Sundays.
Spend extra time with God today and allow Him to transform some of things you love.
Monday, October 6, 2008
He is right there, Waiting.
Does it ever seem like your trying to juggle17 different things at the same time and you wonder why your life seems out of control? Could it possibly be due to the fact that we were never suppose to worry about those things in the first place.
Luke 12:22-30
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Jesus says that there are things that are out of our control that we need to trust Him about. Think of what God does everyday. First He makes the sun come up, then He is right there beside you when you wake up (whenever that is), He goes through your day with you and is always wanting to be there for you. Before long, He sends the sun away and brings out the night sky. Then He waits for you to fall asleep and wake up, so He can be with you again. Our Jesus is the most amazing thing ever.
SO WHAT?
As you woke up today did you think that God was waiting for you? He was! He is waiting right now for you to spend time with Him. As you go through your day today be willing to take a few moments to stop and thank God for being with you. Remember that He is always taking care of the things that are out of your control.
Luke 12:22-30
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Jesus says that there are things that are out of our control that we need to trust Him about. Think of what God does everyday. First He makes the sun come up, then He is right there beside you when you wake up (whenever that is), He goes through your day with you and is always wanting to be there for you. Before long, He sends the sun away and brings out the night sky. Then He waits for you to fall asleep and wake up, so He can be with you again. Our Jesus is the most amazing thing ever.
SO WHAT?
As you woke up today did you think that God was waiting for you? He was! He is waiting right now for you to spend time with Him. As you go through your day today be willing to take a few moments to stop and thank God for being with you. Remember that He is always taking care of the things that are out of your control.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Today, let's just do it!
Sunday Break Out (Breaking out to others)
We love Jesus and because we love Jesus we want to give to Him. Today, take time and do something for your parents that you wouldn’t normally do. If you honor your parents, you are really honoring Jesus. When you show love to your parents it’s just like showing love to Jesus. Colossians 3:20 says, “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” When we honor our parents we please God. Do it today and after your done take time to think about how you made God feel by doing it.
-He is definitely smiling.
We love Jesus and because we love Jesus we want to give to Him. Today, take time and do something for your parents that you wouldn’t normally do. If you honor your parents, you are really honoring Jesus. When you show love to your parents it’s just like showing love to Jesus. Colossians 3:20 says, “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” When we honor our parents we please God. Do it today and after your done take time to think about how you made God feel by doing it.
-He is definitely smiling.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Sin is a Disease.
Do you have sin in your everyday life that you want to get rid of, but don’t know how? Here is how. Don’t give yourself time to sin. CAUTION--don’t read any further if your not 100% committed to getting rid of the sin in your life.
Verse: Romans 6:11-14
11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.
13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.
14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
"Sin is what happens when there is too much time and too little purpose in our lives." Erwin McManus
Ok here we go. What you are going to need to start doing is be willing to spend time every morning with Jesus. This will bring your body into line with your heart, where Jesus is living. Open your heart to Jesus and pray about the sins you want to get rid of. Then you will need to have a notebook with you and you are going to write down 5-10 things you want to do today.
Hang out with Jason at lunch.
Go skateboard after school.
Tell Laura that joke I heard.
Come home and finish cleaning my room.
Help mom make supper.
Call Grandma and ask her if they are coming over this weekend.
Do my homework, if I have any.
Watch the Office.
Read my Bible before going to bed.
Tell 7 people I love them.
If you do this you’ll be amazed at the difference in how much better your day turns out. You will be transformed from living life with no purpose and no direction, to living a life full of meaning and importance. Plus, it will cut out your time for sinning.
SO WHAT?
Look all around you and you can see people who don’t have a reason to live. Then look at people who are doing important things and making a difference. You can do like either one of them, which one do you want to be?
Verse: Romans 6:11-14
11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.
13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.
14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
"Sin is what happens when there is too much time and too little purpose in our lives." Erwin McManus
Ok here we go. What you are going to need to start doing is be willing to spend time every morning with Jesus. This will bring your body into line with your heart, where Jesus is living. Open your heart to Jesus and pray about the sins you want to get rid of. Then you will need to have a notebook with you and you are going to write down 5-10 things you want to do today.
Hang out with Jason at lunch.
Go skateboard after school.
Tell Laura that joke I heard.
Come home and finish cleaning my room.
Help mom make supper.
Call Grandma and ask her if they are coming over this weekend.
Do my homework, if I have any.
Watch the Office.
Read my Bible before going to bed.
Tell 7 people I love them.
If you do this you’ll be amazed at the difference in how much better your day turns out. You will be transformed from living life with no purpose and no direction, to living a life full of meaning and importance. Plus, it will cut out your time for sinning.
SO WHAT?
Look all around you and you can see people who don’t have a reason to live. Then look at people who are doing important things and making a difference. You can do like either one of them, which one do you want to be?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
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