Columbine

Hello everybody. I hope all of you are having a great Monday. Just think, this is the last week of school before winter break for some of you guys! Isn't that an awesome thought? Well, I hope you are all well and fully charged up for the week. Here is a devotion from Dare2share.org to help. It is about the Columbine shootings that took place in 1999, but don't worry, it isn't very graphic. Hope you find courage through this message.

Five years ago today, my life was absolutely turned upside down. Life as I knew it would never be the same again...

On the morning of April 20, 1999 I had not a care in the world. In fact, I was excited about life, and the bright future ahead of me. I was a junior at Columbine High School, with plans and dreams beyond the imagination. I was just sixteen years old, my life was only beginning. I had my driver's license and I could go anywhere or do anything I wanted to do. On that particular morning as I headed off to school, the biggest concern on my mind was passing my physics test later that afternoon.

11:10 am would find me spending my lunch hour with two of my close friends in the school library in preparation for the test.

11:15 am a teacher came running through the doors screaming, "THERE'S GUYS WITH GUNS AND BOMBS IN THE SCHOOL!" My friends and I were confused, surely not here, not at Columbine High School. We lived in a nice area, where nothing bad ever happened, so we found it hard to believe the warnings. We honestly thought it was a joke and we ignored the teacher's plea to get under our tables. After the teacher entered, one of my classmates ran through the doors stumbling to the ground. All color was gone from his face, and he lifted his hand that had been clutching his shoulder to reveal the shot wound, dripping with blood. We began to take things a bit more seriously, yet it was too late to run, all we could do was hide. Although it wasn't much, we found shelter under the small wooden table, and wrapped our bodies around one another.

My friend Seth turned to us and said, "Start praying, I don't know what is happening, but only God will get us through." I began praying, and asking for the horror to end, and for the police to save us. But instead of ending, it got worse. I could hear screams in the halls, and the sounds of guns and bombs coming closer and closer and closer.

Suddenly, the two killers: Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were in the library telling everyone to stand up. We stayed where we were, and listened as they began their campaign of terror throughout the room. They were picking out students by their physical appearance, such as weight, and skin color, as well as the religious beliefs of several students. They approached several students that day, including Rachel Scott and Cassie Bernall and asking them if they believed in God. Each girl answered YES, and they were killed. I shook uncontrollably under the table waiting for my turn to die. The fire alarms rang out the emergency, the strobe lights flashed, innocent children screamed, and smoke filled the air making it impossible to breathe. Dylan and Eric yelled, "WHOSE NEXT? WHO WANTS TO DIE NEXT?"

I waited for the sharp pain, I waited to meet death face to face, but quickly I uttered a desperate prayer to God saying, "God if you are real, get me out of here alive and I will serve You! Lord I didn't understand then, but now I understand, God I will live for You, just spare my life!" You see prior to this day, I was a party girl. I was concerned about what others thought and being popular. I would drink, try drugs, and mess around with guys, but none of that seemed to make any sense. If I was going to die, I wanted to go to Heaven. Suddenly my worst fear came true as the boys approached the area where we were. They were pushing in chairs to get through, and pushed one into my arm, I could hear them talking, and knew it was my time. Yet, they talked about running out of ammunition. At that point they exited the library and went to reload their guns. We knew they would return, but we found a small window of opportunity and we made our escape.

By the grace of God, I live today to tell my story. I wanted to share this story with you today to encourage you with two main things. First, that you would make a decision to live for Christ. If you are already a Christian, I invite you to take your relationship with Him to a new level. In addition, I ask that you would be bold in sharing the faith you possess. Tell everyone you know about the greatest message ever told! The life changing message of the Gospel. If you have never accepted Christ, I would like to invite you to do so now. There is no better time. We have no certainties in our lives, therefore, we must not wait! I promise that you will not regret this decision.

I want to share how you can come to know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior right now. First and foremost, know with all your heart, that you were created by God to be with Him. He loves you and He is seeking your heart. He desires a relationship with you. Next, you must confess that you are a sinner and you need to be saved. There is nothing you can do on your own, you need Him. You need Him, because He is the only one who can save. God sent His one and only Son to die a brutal death on the cross, to take on your sins and defeat death once and for all. All you have to do is believe this to be true, invite Jesus to come into your heart, and you will have the full assurance of spending eternity with Him, forever! If you did this for the first time ever, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

Lastly, I want to encourage you as you will face trials and struggles of many kinds. They are hard, yet they build our character, and refine us more than any other time in our lives. One of my favorite scriptures is Romans 5:3 it says, "... we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character; hope." If we allow God to heal our brokenness and restore us through all the junk in our lives, He will do amazing things! I am not defined by this horrible tragedy in my life, rather I am more of who I am today because of what I experienced. I am thankful for who I am in Christ, and I would never want to go back to the life I used to live! No matter, what it is you are going through, God's grace is sufficient for you today and everyday!

Today as you go through your day, please remember the 13 who were killed as well as their families, the many wounded, the physically unharmed students and the community who still fights to survive.

Are you a Cracked Pot?

Cracked Pots

Hey guys, Hope you guys are all having a great Friday and looking forward to a good weekend. Here is a devotion from the folks over at creativeyouthideas.com about being broken. Hope it helps someone today.

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We are all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. So as we seek ways to minister together, and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway.

Oh Captain

Hey everybody. Hope you all are having a good week. I honestly just can't wait for the weekend. This week is a rollercoaster of feelings. Well, here is a devotion from the nice people over at www.yfc.org about leadership. Sorry about the background, I tried everything I know to do to get it to go away, but it would not stop having a white background. Oh well, hope you guys enjoy it!

This year I began to coach a Junior High Soccer team. With it come many joys, defeats, and emotions. Toward the beginning of the season we saw a real leader emerge from our team. We appointed her captain because, she had true joy and enthusiasm for the sport and her piers, respected by all, a voice that the entire team listened, and She was a natural leader. 

As the weeks moved on she saw that many of her team mates had scored goals. She began to think that goals was the glory of our team. She playing in the center of our field had shown true leadership and had a huge voice on the team. 

Jealousy creped in.She lost sight of her key position on our team, because her emotions got the best of her. She chose to defy her coaches and and left the team stunded as to why she didn't trust us. Moments later we took her out of the game, she was in tears but still had not grasped the reality of what was most important, she was a leader on this team, and had become a poor example to her teammates.  

God's Story

1 Timothy 4:12

New International Version 

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.

What does Today's God's Story Scripture teach us about being an example?

God calls us to set an example, but what does that mean in our lives? Timothy was young in his ministry and life and these words spoken to he say a lot. Five large areas of life that are given to Timothy to focus on: Speech, conduct, Love, Faith, and in Purity. These are areas were even adults struggle in. The advantage is God is calling attention to this at his young age so that he might grasp and hold on to this deep knowledge at a young age as something to be striving for, as well as give him the courage to see that if he upheld these 5 things that he could hold his head up high as a respectful person. 

My Story

How can I connect today's God's Story to my life?

What does it mean to you to set an example? Are you allowing your emotions to get in the way of the example you set for your friends, or teammates, or classmates? Take some time this week to ask God, and spend time dwelling on:

Lord do I set an example in:

Do I set and EXAMPLE in my Speech?

Do I set and EXAMPLE in my Conduct?

Do I set and EXAMPLE in Love?

Do I set and EXAMPLE in My Faith?

Do I set and EXAMPLE in Purity?

Take time with each one and allow God to speak to your heart and lead you on which area God is proud of you in. Pick one that God has especially laid on your heart and make that your focus this week. Come back to the reality of being a captain...what has God made you a captain in? 

Their Story

How can I connect today's Story, God's Story, & My story to others?

As you have spent time with "you and God" as you have been working on things in your life begin a journey of living it out for your friends. See that you are a leader, that you set an example. appologise for times when your ego, or pride got in the way of you being real with your friends.

Repost

Christ's Banquet Table

Alright guys, I'm back from my break. I know I posted this same blog on thanksgiving, but I don't know how many of you actually checked on thanksgiving, so I'm reposting it. It's really an important message that I feel like you guys need to know. So please take it to heart, and if you already read it last week, thank you for checking in. If not, that's cool. Read it now, though.

Imagine that you have been invited to Thanksgiving dinner at the home of the richest man in the world. You pull up a chair at a table two football fields long that's piled high with so much turkey, dressing, potatoes, bread, carrot cake, pumpkin pie, mixed vegetables, milk, and anything else you can think of that the table is about to break under the load. Your host tells you to take your fill of anything you see.

Thank you very much,' you say. 'Might I please have half a cranberry?'

Your astonished friend nearly chokes on a candied yam and replies,
'Please have all you would like. That's why I invited you! You're hungry, and here is everything you need to get full.'

'Thank you so very much,' you say. 'Perhaps I will have a sip of water.'

Ridiculous, we say. Who would ever act like that? If it were us, we'd gobble up so much food they'd have to use a bulldozer to move us out.

Why is it, then, that when it comes to getting full spiritually, we settle for a half a cranberry?

Paul doesn't want that for us, and in this passage he reminds us that in Christ we have all we need to be all that God wants us to be.

Not infrequently you'll come across people who say either in word or deed that their lives are impoverished. Sometimes, remarkably, you'll find a believer who for some reason is looking for something else.
He is not satisfied. She is not filled full.

Remember: The extent to which you need something else to fill you full is the extent to which you find Christ deficient. If you find Christ deficient, then you have found something in contradiction of Scripture, which says that in Christ all the fullness of Deity resides in bodily form.

We've got to decide, Is it true that in Christ we have all that we need?

You'll find in the church today many people propagating all kinds of things that believers 'need.' Not infrequently these things that Christians 'need' have exceedingly tenuous connections to Christ, 'in whom all
fullness dwells.' As soon as someone tells you that you need this, that, and the other thing, ask yourself, Is this in any way diverting my attention from Christ? Is there any sense in which this is perverting the gospel of Christ, which tells me all fullness is in him? If I get into this
particular thing, will it in any way subvert the authority of Christ in my life?

Beware! Scripture declares that in Christ is all fullness, and if you are related to him, you have been given all fullness. We don't need something super-added, extra-plus to Christ. What we need is to daily
discover all that we already have in him.

How much have you eaten off of Christ's banquet table? How full are you?"

Do We Accept What We are Offered?

Christ's Banquet Table

Hey guys. I set this post up about a month and a half ago. I hope you guys are having a good Thanksgiving Break and that you are having fun seeing your families and all that good stuff. This post came from the awesome folks over at creativeyouthideas.com. It's perfect for this special time, so hope you reading and take it in well.

Imagine that you have been invited to Thanksgiving dinner at the home of the richest man in the world. You pull up a chair at a table two football fields long that's piled high with so much turkey, dressing, potatoes, bread, carrot cake, pumpkin pie, mixed vegetables, milk, and anything else you can think of that the table is about to break under the load. Your host tells you to take your fill of anything you see.

Thank you very much,' you say. 'Might I please have half a cranberry?'

Your astonished friend nearly chokes on a candied yam and replies,
'Please have all you would like. That's why I invited you! You're hungry, and here is everything you need to get full.'

'Thank you so very much,' you say. 'Perhaps I will have a sip of water.'

Ridiculous, we say. Who would ever act like that? If it were us, we'd gobble up so much food they'd have to use a bulldozer to move us out.

Why is it, then, that when it comes to getting full spiritually, we settle for a half a cranberry?

Paul doesn't want that for us, and in this passage he reminds us that in Christ we have all we need to be all that God wants us to be.

Not infrequently you'll come across people who say either in word or deed that their lives are impoverished. Sometimes, remarkably, you'll find a believer who for some reason is looking for something else.
He is not satisfied. She is not filled full.

Remember: The extent to which you need something else to fill you full is the extent to which you find Christ deficient. If you find Christ deficient, then you have found something in contradiction of Scripture, which says that in Christ all the fullness of Deity resides in bodily form.

We've got to decide, Is it true that in Christ we have all that we need?

You'll find in the church today many people propagating all kinds of things that believers 'need.' Not infrequently these things that Christians 'need' have exceedingly tenuous connections to Christ, 'in whom all
fullness dwells.' As soon as someone tells you that you need this, that, and the other thing, ask yourself, Is this in any way diverting my attention from Christ? Is there any sense in which this is perverting the gospel of Christ, which tells me all fullness is in him? If I get into this
particular thing, will it in any way subvert the authority of Christ in my life?

Beware! Scripture declares that in Christ is all fullness, and if you are related to him, you have been given all fullness. We don't need something super-added, extra-plus to Christ. What we need is to daily
discover all that we already have in him.

How much have you eaten off of Christ's banquet table? How full are you?"

Ride out the Storms

Hey guys. Hope everyone's Friday is going well. I found this devotion Wednesday while I was under weather lock-down at Southern Poly and figured it fit the bill pretty well. The storm that hit Marietta was so bad that it actually wiped out all the wifi in the entire area, so I didn't get a chance to post this then. But here it is now! So, I hope you enjoy this message from cbn.com

Do you see the storm clouds on the horizon of your life? Do you know that the Rescuer waits to take your hand so that you are not blown away? There are so many trials, problems, and chaos in families. You shake your head, throw up your hands, and the only prayer you can really utter is “Help, Lord!”

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9, NIV).

Obeying the above Scripture is not always an easy task. Like powerful winds that shake your house, you can feel uneasy and begin to tire just from the anxiety of the unknown. That is what it feels like in the daily hassles of life. Where is the peace and rest? It is under the shadow of the Almighty. He is the secret place, that shelter from all the storms.

When storms are raging in your life, you must grab a hold of The Rock—that is Jesus. He is your refuge, your shelter, the only secure, safe place. He is the bright ray of sunshine in any storm that comes your way.

Think of the enemy as the storm and you are a ship out at sea in the whirlwind of the storm. You are being tossed by the waves, which represent anything that is thrown at you to bring you turmoil. You see a light ahead from the lighthouse, who is Jesus your Rescuer, to guide you to safety. You begin to sense the calm inside of you. The fear leaves, and you have the needed hope to weather this storm and reach your destination. There is no other way to safety. You can’t fight the storms of life without the help of the Lord. He shows you the way. He provides the Holy Spirit for comfort.

Your life might be smooth sailing, but then there might be those who try to make it rough waters. Don’t let any kind of storm rock your boat. Call on the Lord for strength and support. Remind yourself that He is the Captain of your ship.

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. “O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones” (Isaiah 54:10-12, NIV).

Are you a Zealot?

Hey everybody. Hope you had a good start to your week this Monday. I know it's tough to go back to school, but just hang in there, Thanksgiving break is just around the corner. For now, here is a message from Lindsey Berndt at youthsource.com. It's a message about service, which is something that is very near and dear to my heart. I hope it has an impact to you, too.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11

This stinks. Another well planned event with only two kids. Another night of trying to do a Bible study and 75% of your time is spent telling the kids to pay attention or quiet down. Another time when a member of the congregation cornered you about having the youth work at a dinner they're planning another dinner to help with!

All of this work and what is it really for? My heart is a heart of service, a heart for people. That's why I do what I do.

Then why does it seem like it's so hard to serve others?

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11

So many times I find myself needing to refocus. I get so pumped up thinking about doing God's work, but these tough/frustrating situations challenge me. I have to remind that my time in youth ministry is for God; it is for serving Him and serving Him with zeal. When frustrating or challenging things happen, praise God!

Those two kids who came to that well planned event will appreciate that they didn't show up for nothing and your genuine excitement that they showed up will stay with them. That 25% of your Bible Study that students actually heard could impact and speak volumes to a hurting/healing heart. The selflessness of the youth group and the eagerness to serve at any church event might impress those potential church members coming to events.

Zeal is enthusiastic devotion to a cause or a person, and then following through with it! Paul is telling us to be zealots when it comes to serving the Lord. Let us move forward in our youth ministry programs with zeal. Form a team of zealots for youth ministry. See where God takes you.

Prayer -

Lord, take away my frustrations. Renew and refresh my heart. Help me to serve you with enthusiasm and joy. Help me to be an example to the youth of my congregation. I love you. Amen.

Appearences

Howdy all you put there in worldwide web land. Hope you had a great Friday to round out your week. He is another devotion to put some knowledge into your heads. This one comes from creativeyouthideas.com. Please, take this one to heart.

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

God warned Samuel against judging by appearance alone. When we judge by externals, we easily overlook outstanding people who lack the particular physical qualities society currently admires. Outward appearance doesn't reflect what people are really like or their true worth.

When the time came to anoint a successor to Saul as king of Israel, Samuel was confident he knew a king when he saw one. Eliab, Jesse's oldest son, was the clear choice.

To God, and hopefully to our church, there is a complete acceptance of people regardless of these outward things, and a love that turns that insecurity into peace. Samuel should have remembered that God judges by faith and character, not appearances. Since only God can look within the human heart, only he can accurately judge people. Many people spend hours each week maintaining their outward appearance; we should all do more to develop our inner character. While everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Don't Believe the Lies

Hey everyone. Hope your Wednesday is going pretty well. Today, I have a devotion that is something I have strongly enforced in my life, and I hope you have, too. For some of you, this may hit you pretty hard, but it would one day eventually. Now, I do want to make sure you guys know that I didn't write this one, it was written by the writer at dare2share.org. That being said, obviously the story is not story, so just keep that in mind. Now, go ahead and read it and take in all that it has to say to you.

Finally, brothers, 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)

When I was in high school, I felt like there was nothing wrong with dating around. I partied a lot, and 'hooking up with guys' just happened as a result of being intoxicated. Even when I wasn't drinking, my goal was to see how many guys I could kiss or 'mess around with.' One of my big concerns in high school was being popular. I wanted people to like me, and everybody else was doing it, so in my mind there was no harm in it. Each time I would hook up with a new guy, I would go a little further. I had boundaries at one point, but when I was in the heat of the moment, there is no such thing. I wasn't thinking about the consequences or the regret later on in life. I would always say to myself, I would never have sex. Believe me, there were times I wanted to, but I was always taught to practice abstinence. According to the new standards that our generation set, sex only included intercourse, everything else was permissible. During any such encounter, I felt so important. I felt wanted, beautiful, and even found my worth. As long as I was desired by members of the opposite sex, I felt like I was somebody. I would always deceive myself into thinking I meant something to certain guys, only to find myself the next day ridden with guilt, and frustration, not to mention losing friends. For some reason I not only lost guy friends as a result of hooking up, but I lost girl friends as well, because my reputation was going downhill fast. I became the talk of the boy's locker room, and rumors began to spread. All my efforts to make more friends, were failing, because I was going about it the wrong way. I was trying to be somebody I really wasn't. I hated who I was. I felt filthy, and I knew I could never take back all the things I had done. I had given some of the most precious parts of me away. I felt deep remorse and regret. Although later I discovered God's restoration and forgiveness, I still bore the permanent scars.

I am now 21 years old and I recently got married. Prior to our marriage, there were a lot of things my husband and I had to work through from each of our pasts. Both of us had crossed the line in relationships, and had to deal with the pain of not giving those to each other for the first time. I would cry and grow angry with him because he didn't save certain things for me, his wife. I know he felt the same way. However, I had to come to the realization that we had changed, and God had made us a new creation.

'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Recently I read a lengthy article about the sex culture among teens today and I was deeply grieved. Kids that were interviewed in this article were very open with their sexuality and promiscuity. All discussed how they had had sex and planned to continue experimenting. Most students spoke of their,'friends with benefits' and the inconvenience of actual relationships. I believe each year it gets worse and worse, especially as there is an increase in the urge to move in with members of the opposite sex prior to marriage.

Kids are beginning to experiment with sex starting in elementary school. One girl here in Colorado claimed she was confident that she would have sex before entering high school. Why are kids eager to share such an intimate part of themselves with others at such a young age? I believe it has everything to do with our entertainment. Sex sells, so we see it in advertising, on TV, in movies, and especially in our music. Most pop stars today barely clothe themselves and provocatively move on stage and call it dancing. As girls we aspire to be these people, and for guys, they aspire to date someone like that. This explains the rise in internet porn, teenage sex, and sexually transmitted diseases.

God is calling us to a higher standard than the world around us. He desires us to live lives set apart only for Him. In fact, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 says:

"God wants you to be holy and to stay away from sexual sins. He wants each of you to learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable." (NCV)

The Bible talks in length about purity and holiness. The temptation is great, but His strength to resist it is greater. He is asking us to leave behind the things of this world and strive to live for Him.

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5)

People around us will know who we serve by our actions. If they see us living a pure life, they will see Christ. What is more, we know that those who are pure will experience God and see Him. I believe when our hearts are pure, God is more able to use us. If nothing else, God blesses us for purity.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8)

I can promise you that you won't regret the decision to wait to experience sex until marriage. It is a gift designed solely for that purpose. Sex is for those who are committed to marriage for life. It is not for those who think they 'love' their girlfriend or boyfriend. It is not for those who have 'friends with benefits.' It is not for those who need to feel loved and accepted. God loves us and accepts us the way we are.

The lines of sex have been blurred, and you should not ask the question is this okay, because in the eyes of the world, it probably is. However, you must ask yourself; does this bring glory to God? Are you being a witness for the kingdom of God?

Your prayer needs to be that of Psalm 51:10:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Many of you have probably already made a mistake, and that is okay. God can restore you, but from this day forward make a commitment in your heart to Him that says you desire purity and holiness. Lean on His strength to fight the temptation.

Questions:

1. Have you ever been involved with the opposite sex in ways that you now regret?
2. Will you trust that God has forgiven you? (Read I John 1:9)
3. Will you commit to complete purity until you are married?
4. How can the fact that God forgives you be helpful in sharing Christ with your 

Forgive and Forget

Alright guys, it has become that time again. The time for yet one more devotion that I hope will get to you in a deep and meaningful way. I found this devotion this morning, and when I read it, I was utterly filled with the "Jesus Chills". This is definitely something that I have trouble with, and I am sure many of you do, too. This one comes from dare2share.org once again. So please, take this to heart and really delve into the meaning behind the words.

What is forgiveness anyway? Why must we forgive? What does it truly mean to forgive someone who has hurt us deeply? Consider this illustration about a man named Tomas Borge that I found in Let Me Tell You a Story compiled by author and speaker Tony Campolo.

      Tomas Borge was a Nicaraguan freedom fighter who led a group against a regime who sought out to destroy their country by way of utter domination. Borge was captured and tortured in a dungeon, where he was chained to a wall, castrated, and even witnessed the rape of his wife.

      Finally the revolution ended and Borge was released and marched through a parade as he was hailed by fellow Nicaraguans as a hero. As he marched down the streets he recognized the man who had him in chains and raped his wife. He fell out of order and ran to the crowd. Approaching this man, he grabbed him by the shoulders and began asking Him if he remembered who he was. The captor acted as if he had never seen Tomas Borge before.

      Borge continued talking about how he could never forget his face. Still clutching onto his shoulders, Borge screamed loudly saying,

      "Now do you know what this revolution is all about? Now do you understand this revolution?"

      The man responded in fear saying, "Yes! Yes!"

      Tomas answered back, "No! You don't understand what this revolution is all about!" 

      Then he embraced the man and shouted, "I forgive you! I forgive you! That's what this revolution is all about!"

This is a perfect example of Christ's ultimate love and forgiveness that is offered to us. We have done so much to hurt Him, and turned our backs on Him. We have mocked Him, and hurled insults at Him more times than we probably care to count. We put Christ on the cross and crucified Him, because of our sin. Yet Scripture tell us that:

"as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has separated us from our sins" (Psalm 103:12, msg).

He has not only forgiven our sins, but He has forgotten them as well. Our sins were removed by the price paid on the cross. God sent His only Son, Jesus to take on the sins of the world and die in our place. He gave a clean slate to work from. God's love is so great; He did this for us, sacrificing everything.

"You'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights!" (Ephesians 3:18, msg)

Christ forgave, therefore we too have the responsibility to forgive others. Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." In other words, we have been forgiven and many of us have seen the transformation of God's powerful forgiveness in our own lives, and are now called to forgive others in the same way.

From a human perspective, this task is impossible! We have been hurt and we justify our hurt and anger, yet God forgave the worst of sins. For example, let's take a look at a man who seemed to have every right to hate his brother for the sins committed against him and refuse forgiveness. Esau was stripped of everything. Jacob, his conniving brother, stole everything that rightfully belonged to Esau. Jacob plotted and schemed his entire life. Years later, Jacob was to face his brother. He was met by Esau and 400 soldiers. Jacob would have deserved death and humiliation, but Esau approached Him and Scripture tells us that he

"ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept" (Genesis 33:4).

Instead of fighting back in anger and hurt, Esau chose to love Jacob and give the ultimate response of love; that is forgiveness.

I know we all have situations in our lives that require us to forgive and forgive more than we want to. I know I have a situation that requires me to forgive someone each and every day. I do not claim to be perfect, and I know you will not always succeed in the realm of forgiveness. However, I ask that you consider trying with the help of Christ, through whom all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). When we choose to forgive as people like Tomas Borge, Jesus and Esau forgave, we will see great things, especially in our own lives as we are lifted out of bondage to bitterness and anger.

Questions:

1. Is there someone in your life that requires your forgiveness without asking for it?
2. What is holding you back from forgiving someone with Christ's love?
3. Will you approach that person immediately and forgive them once and for all, without using it against them later?
4. Will you be the next Tomas or Esau?

Hello, hello, hello. How is everyone doing this Friday afternoon? Hope you're doing great! Here is a devotion from dare2share.org, hope it helps change someone today.

He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)

The Dead Sea is not one of the desired vacation spots in the world. In fact, it is one big, wet, grotesque salt pool that contains no fish or plant life. What accounts for this unusual condition? Answer-there are absolutely no outlets! A great amount of water pours into this area, but nothing flows out. Many inlets plus no outlets equals a dead sea.

Could it be that many believers are "Dead Sea Christians"? You see, this law of nature can also be applied to the child of God, and it explains why many of Jesus' followers are so boring and lacking in spiritual energy. They attend exciting Bible conferences, listen to Christian music, regularly do their devotions, attend youth group and even take notes from the pastor. Yet the results of all these efforts are comatose Christianity. Such individuals are like the Dead Sea. How could this happen? Simple: they have several "inlets" but no "outlets." To be vibrant and useful believers, we must not only "take in" all we can, but we must also "give out" in ministry to others!

Is your Christian life feeling like Malibu Beach, or is it more like muddy muck? It's great that you have all the right inlets, but perhaps it is time to open up the outlets. Let me suggest a few:

Outlet one: Share your faith! Develop friendships with unbelievers and share with them the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.

Outlet two: Share your love! Get over your own petty problems and reach out to others in the power of the Spirit. Speak a kind word, help a friend in need, and forgive those who have wronged you.

Outlet three: Share your heart! Pray as though you only have one more hour to pray. Open the floodgates of your broken spirit to the Holy Spirit and reveal your true self to your Truest Friend.

The "Living Waters" of Christ were never meant to be kept to ourselves. May the Lord make us invigorating springs where thirsty souls may drink. Remember, because the Holy Spirit lives within us, we possess the "water of life" and can be channels of blessing to those in need. From hearts of love, let us pour out to others what we have first received from God. If we do, we will never become Dead-Sea Christians.

Questions:

1. Are you a Dead-Sea Christian? Why or why not?
2. How can you achieve a good balance between inlets and outlets?
3. Would those closest to you describe you as a spiritual Malibu Beach with sun and fun, or muddy muck where nothing can live?

A Happy Heart

Hey everybody! Hope your weeks are going pretty well. And I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween. Here is a devotion from creativeyouthideas.com. It is something that I certainly try to live out in my life, and I hope you all do the same.

The Bible says,
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." -Proverbs 15:13

A cheerful heart is good medicine. Laughter, as an expression of joy, is essential to our physical and emotional well-being. Dr. Hendrie Weisinger's manual on anger management, "Dr. Weisinger's Anger Work-Out Book", warns that if our daily total is less than fifteen laughs, including three belly laughs, we are under-laughed.

Laughter and humor are essential for coping with life, for relieving tension, and for keeping things in perspective. A noted theologian wrote that we resolve the ambiguities of life with faith and humor. When it comes to daily living, around the office or the home or the classroom, we need a combination of faith and laughter in abundance!

Followers of Christ know full well that some days do not bring much happiness. But we experience joy that no circumstance can touch. In an increasingly despondent world, believers can lead lives of joy mixed with laughter. As Grady Nutt said, "Laughter is God's hand on the shoulder of a troubled world."