Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

All You Need is Love



    "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

Real love. Christ-like love. It must not come must not come naturally. Otherwise, why would Jesus have to make it a command? He must have thought that somehow, someway, believers have the ability through the Holy Spirit to live a life of genuine love. Yet not only do we have the ability, we also have the responsibility. In fact, Jesus makes it clear that self-sacrificial love is the way that the world will know we are children of God. Notice that Christ did not say: "by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you know many verses and have your theology solid..." or " by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you attend church, speak in tongues, and avoid all sin..." He simplified it for us- love one another.

So how do we show this love? I believe it is expressed through our unconditional acceptance of people regardless of race, creed or color. Whether that person is kind to you, or treats you like dirt. Whether you agree with their lifestyle, or stand against it. All of these things are quite irrelevant when it comes to obeying God and loving others. If you set up any pre-requisites for loving others, then you are disobedient to Christ and ineffective in your witness.

Let's look at how this principle played itself out in the life of Jesus.

In John 4 we find Him in a tense situation; He is a Jew, living in a land occupied by Romans. The Romans do not particularly like the Jews, and the Jews return their sentiment. Yet, when Jesus is asked to heal a Roman official's son, He does so immediately — no strings attached, no power plays, no political games.
Jesus does not hold grudges, nor does he require obedience before demonstrating love. He cares for people regardless of their personality, position, or possessions.

In Luke 9:51-56, Jesus and His disciples were walking through Samaria. Jesus was trying to teach a group of people who were rude and unresponsive. Ever met anybody like that? What is your typical reaction? His disciples' reaction was to ask Jesus: "Do you want us to call fire down from heaven and destroy them?" Jesus basically replies, "No way! Are you demon possessed?" Evidently in Jesus' mind, anger, revenge, prejudice, and unloving attitudes are unacceptable and sometimes demonic.

I know that as Christians we are called to hold each other accountable. Yet we should not use accountability as an excuse to harbor hatred or indifference. As well, we should not expect those who do not know Christ to live as we do. Unbelievers need to be shown that they will be completely accepted by the family of God. This acceptance should not come because of any qualifications or actions on their part, but because God loves them. God loves people unconditionally. So should we.

There are people in your schools who are lonely and don't fit in. Many feel ashamed and outcast for whatever reason. If we make anyone feel like an outcast because he/she is different, we bring shame to Christianity. If we check people out to make sure they're cool before we share the gospel, we are allowing our prejudices to interfere with God's work. This is a tragic mistake and blatant sin.

Often the error of non-acceptance turns people away from God and Christianity — possibly forever. They run as fast and as far away as they can in the other direction, seeking out other religions and organizations that will embrace them. At that point Satan and those he has deceived will stretch out their welcoming arms. If the enemy has the ability to "love" and accept people, then how much more should we! Remember, people will go where they are accepted and stay where they are loved. Is your world a place where people want to stay?

[Soldier4Christ]

I Beg Your Pardon



    "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

Some time ago, I went on a two hour tour through the Holocaust Memorial in Washington D.C. The experience affected me deeply. The horrifying spectacle of thousands of victim's shoes gathered in a huge heap, the shocking video clips of Nazi doctors implementing torturous "experiments" on innocent Jewish victims, and the hundreds upon hundreds of documents, diaries and other WWII paraphernalia all combined to awaken my senses with the grim reality of what took place over half a century ago... the systematic slaughter of over six million Jews. I had heard it was a shaking experience, but one must see it to believe it. The most gripping part is looking into the faces in the pictures on the walls. People like you and me who lost their lives to an evil empire powered by satanic forces. Those that survived were faced with an impossible choice: to live the rest of their days in bitterness and anger, or forgive those who wreaked such unspeakable acts upon them. How could anyone who survived the Nazi death camps ever forgive their wicked captors?

Is there someone in your life who you need to forgive? Maybe it's someone who abused you. Maybe it's that one-time friend who stabbed you in the back. Whoever it may be, God commands us to forgive them. As hard as that might sound, He leaves us no options. He asks us to do this because unforgiveness and the Holy Spirit cannot live in the same person. If you don't forgive, you are locked in a death camp with the two guards of bitterness and anger torturing you.

The word forgive in the Bible means "to release; to send away." If you are having difficulty forgiving, then let's try something different. Clench your hand tightly into a fist. As you squeeze, imagine that your anger and bitterness toward that person is in your grasp. Squeeze hard while you think of everything that person has done to hurt you. Now, think about Jesus (keeping your fist clenched). Consider how much you have hurt Jesus with your own sin. Now picture his torn and twisted body hanging on the cross. Imagine the mocking crowd surrounding Him, cursing and screaming insults at the innocent One. Now listen to Him as he calls out to God: "Forgive them Father. They don't know what they're doing." Contemplate your own continuous sinfulness (which played a part in sending Jesus to the cross) and God's constant forgiveness toward you because of Christ. Now, through an act of your will, slowly open your clenched fist. Depend on God's Spirit release your bitterness. Send away your unforgiveness. Cast your own hatred into the gas chamber.

Remember, forgiveness is not a feeling, but an act of your will. You must choose to release. Yet choosing is the first step in finding the feelings of forgiveness. If anyone had a reason not to forgive, it was not the Jews of the Holocaust, but the Messiah from Nazareth. He was without sin yet was brutally slaughtered. He forgave us anyway. He has released His anger for our sin and sent it away. Let's follow in His footsteps and escape from the prison of hatred before it is too late.

[Soldier4Christ]

How Could A Loving God Send Anyone To Hell?

I get this all the time- perhaps you do to. It's an honest enough sounding question, and one that I think most people have considered at least once or twice.

    "How could a loving God send anyone to Hell?"

I see their point. After all, we talk about a loving, wise, all-powerful Creator who started this whole experiment called life in the first place. If He really does have attributes of compassion in Him, why condemn people to a place of eternal torment? If you were in charge of the universe, wouldn't something like "remove Hell" be on the top of your list of things to do? Maybe we could make it so people could find a 'get out of hell free' card on E-bay, or better yet put the whole idea of eternal punishment up for a vote.

The problem is that the very nature of this question is flawed at its foundation- that's why it is difficult to answer. So let's breakdown this inquiry a bit, and see what the Bible has to say about the whole deal.

First off, it is incorrect to assume that God 'sends' people to hell. The Bible tells us that "He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change." (2 Peter 3:9). In other words, there is no part of our Father that will take pleasure in the punishment of the unsaved. His desire is that everyone makes it through the pearly gates. I've met some Christians who almost seem happy that there are people who will end up in hell. Some sort of sick and twisted perspective that helps them feel better about themselves I guess. But this attitude is not from God- He truly is loving, which is why He doesn't wish hell on anyone.

So how do people end up in the Lake of Fire? Simple- they bought a one way ticket with their own stubbornness and refusal to believe. It is their choice that leaves God no choice. Maybe you thought that on Judgment Day, there will be folks who are shocked and surprised that they didn't make the cut for heaven...don't think so. Every man and woman who said 'no' to Christ's offer of salvation through their entire lives will have a serious flashback when the Book of Life is opened, and it will be no new revelation to them.

So you see, God doesn't 'send' anyone to hell...in actuality, He is giving people what they have insisted on their whole life: independence from their Creator.

But wait a sec Lane, what about the people who have never heard? How is it that they said 'no' to God?

Again, there is a problem with the question. The Apostle Paul wrote that:

    "since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)

What he is saying is there is nowhere on earth that God hasn't posted a huge sign saying "I EXIST!!!"

True, there are places that apparently haven't heard the gospel, but gee- do you think that God might be smart enough to figure out a way to get the truth about Jesus to whomever He wants?

Bottom line: the fact that hell will have permanent guests breaks the heart of God more than any self-righteous, self-deceived atheist who is staking his/her eternal destiny on what seems 'fair'. Truth be told: if 'fairness' were God's main standard for running the universe, we would all end up in hell. We messed this place up, and God could have easily made us responsible. Instead, He came running to our rescue all the while yelling "hold on kids- I'm coming down!"

The real question we need to eternally ponder is this:

    "How could a holy God send His only Son to die for the likes of me?"

That's a question I will never be able to answer- and perhaps one that we as believers should be throwing back out into the inquisitive masses.

[Soldier4Christ]

Smile, God Loves You

I think that God truly loves to hear the prayers of children- especially when they mess up. Have you ever read some of the bloopers that kids have made of the Lord's Prayer? Here are a few: "Give us this steak and daily bread, and forgive us our mattresses." Or: "Give us this day our jelly bread." These children must have been hungry.

Then there's the heartfelt prayer of a brother wanting to get his sister into trouble:

    "Lead a snot into temptation."

But my all-time favorite is the petition of the pre-schooler:

    "Our Father, who art in Heaven, how didja know my name?"

In the mind of this little one is a big mystery: how can Someone whom he has never met before possibly know his name? So naturally it would make sense to ask this since he was checking in anyway.

What I like best about that boy's inquiry is that it is a great reminder of the same wonder and curiosity that we should have towards God. Remember when we first trusted in Him? Everything was a completely cool discovery- like the way the Bible seemed to speak to exactly what we were going through, and the strangest ways that God would meet our deepest needs...almost like He was with us wherever we went. Oh yeah- can you also recall how blown away you were that the God of the Universe knew you before you were even born, knew how sinful you were then, and still died on the cross for you?

Then, little by little...sermon by sermon...meeting by meeting- the marvel of the Majesty of the King melted into a matter-of-fact mutual relationship that is more 'mature' now. You just don't seem so excited to pick up that Bible because there are so many other things that are more entertaining. And prayer? Mostly now it's when you're either in trouble, or sick, or both. Your perception of the Almighty has been reduced to a vending machine who dispenses grandfatherly advice and gives you the loose change out of His pockets.

But remember - He still knows your name...

In fact, He knows everything about you. Want proof? Here you go:

I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too -- your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful -- I can't take it all in!

Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there! If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute--you're already there waiting! Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!" It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God--you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration--what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

    Your thoughts--how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them--any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! (Psalm 139:3-18)

In a nutshell- "Our Father, who art in heaven, how didja know so much about me?"

For some, this might be scary. For others, it is 'too wonderful'. Maybe that's because for some- the fact that God knows all this and is still crazy about us is the greatest news in the universe. How could you ever grow tired of that?!?

I guess that all depends on where you are in your relationship with your Creator.

If you have misplaced some of your primary passion, my suggestion to you would be to bring back some of that curiosity and inquisitiveness that you first had as a new Christian. It's no wonder that unbelievers aren't attracted to Christ when they meet 'older' believers - would you be? Ah, but then there's the ones whose hearts still leap for joy at the Name of Jesus. They are still in awe that they can read the love letter from God called the Bible. Their enthusiasm just pours out, and it is like a drink of water for a spiritually parched population.

Begin today to rekindle the same amazement at the works and words of the God who became a man- otherwise you may find on Judgment Day that Jesus really doesn't know your name!

[Soldier4Christ]

Partytime



    Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people--even eating with them! (Luke 15:1-2)

Man...God sure is taking a beating these days. The scandal with abuse by Catholic priests gets daily coverage, the Middle East continues to be racked with violence drawn on religious differences, terrorism often is motivated because of radical religious beliefs, and last week in Austin two ministers were arrested for allegedly whipping a young boy with a switch as discipline for not being serious about learning the Bible.

Fortunately, we have Bud Selig, so God doesn't have to take the rap for messing up major league baseball.

Three passages (Luke 15) about lost sheep, coins and sons can be summed up in this simple statement, "I don't know how you feel about God...but let me tell you how God feels about you." Jesus tells us that if we have wandered away, for whatever reason, He is the good shepherd who will leave the rest of the flock (disputing the rumor that he loves some of us more than others) and find us put us on his shoulders and lovingly bring us home... and throws a party.

You may have been neglected, mistreated or abused, but you are not invisible or downtrodden enough to hide you from the spotlight of His searching heart and He will stay up all night until He finds you, and then wake the neighbors and... throw a party. You might have spit in His face and walked out the door or stayed in the backyard while wishing you had the guts to run, and He still welcomes you back home and invites you to...are you beginning to see the pattern here...the party.

I don't know how you feel about God, but here is how He feels about you. Paul puts it this way in Romans 5:

    "The majority of us wouldn't consider laying down our lives for someone else, even if it's a pretty good person, but God made it very clear how he feels about us in that while we were far from being good, we were common sinners, Christ laid down his life for us."

[Soldier4Christ]

Which Father Knows Best?



    "You are doing the things your own father does. We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!" (John 8:41-45)

Once there was a father and his little child walking along a beach. As they strolled along the seashore, the dad suddenly noticed that his son was walking a little ways behind him. When he asked him why he was lagging behind, his son replied: "I'm walking in your footsteps, Daddy".

This weekend we honor our earthly fathers because fatherhood is an honorable institution in this nation. In fact, the idea for "Father's Day" came from a woman who was raised by a single dad. She wanted to honor his self-sacrifice and commitment in the midst of difficult circumstances.

In the spiritual sense, everyone on earth has a father as well. In our passage today, Jesus is pointing out that before we were Christians, we followed in the footsteps of our former 'parent'- Satan. He was raising us to be heartless, deceptive, and cruel. He didn't care about our well-being, and the legacy he wanted to leave was a lifestyle of sin and destruction.

When we placed our faith in Christ, we were adopted into a new family. Our heavenly Father sacrificed His own Son so that we wouldn't be trapped with our satanic family. He shows us a new way of living, so that we can love Jesus and others and tell them about a relationship with our new "Dad". He loves us unconditionally, thinks about us constantly, and provides for us daily. The problem is that sometimes we still hear the voice of our old father and listen. We give in to unforgivness and hatred, thinking that we are being obedient to our father.

Christian, you have been set free from your old family. As you walk down the 'beach' of life following in your spiritual father's footsteps, be careful whose tracks you are following. Satan will plead and beg with you to return to your old ways and destroy yourself and the people around you, but God the Father is ever faithful to lead you down the path of righteousness.

This Father's Day, honor your earthly father, and honor your heavenly Father. Listen to His voice, and obey His instruction. Tell others about the opportunity they have to 'change families' and follow the Father who knows best.

[Soldier4Christ]

All Fired Up



    "God said to Moses, "I AM who I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14)

Moses was terrified. First he had spent forty years in Egypt- the most powerful nation on earth- as a prince. Popular, revered, and held in the highest esteem. Add to his resume forty years in the desert as a shepherd working for his father-in-law. Lonely, unappreciated, and punching the clock at smelly job central.

Now he kneels trembling before Jesus in the burning bush being commissioned for a holy cause. He was being sent by God Himself to set the Israelites free from the Egyptians. Promotion? Sure. Chance to be restored to greatness? Absolutely!

Only - he didn't want to go.

He fired excuse after excuse at the blazing King. Christ had an answer for every one of them. One of Moses' excuses was "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"

Jesus had an answer... "I AM who I AM."

In the same way Moses was a master of excuses when it came to delivering the Jews, aren't we the excuse experts when it comes to delivering the gospel? God Himself has commissioned us (Matthew 28) to "go and make disciples of all nations..."

But God - what if I don't I know what to say? What if they reject me? What if they ask me a question I don't have the answer to?" Blah. Blah. Blah.
The bottom line is this... the great "I AM" has sent us. Excuses fade into oblivion when it comes to Christ. When we realize who God is- excuses fall flat.

So who is God? Who is this "I AM"?

First - we know that He is "one God". Deuteronomy 6:4 reminds us, "The LORD our God, the LORD is one." Christianity is a monothesitic faith. "Mono" means one. "Theo" means "God." We believe in one God.

Second - we believe in one God who is comprised of three persons... the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Each is fully God. Each is fully unique. Three persons: one essence.

The title some have given this truth is "The Trinity." One God (unity)- comprised of three persons (Trinity)

Get it? Neither do I. Neither does anyone, except God. God is infinite. We are finite. As one expert said, "For us to try to comprehend God is like a gnat trying to drink in the ocean."

But get this. This triune God is sending you on a mission. This holy mission is to spread the Gospel to a dying world. Just like Moses, our excuses fail. Why? Because the "I AM" has sent us. We are on a mission from God- let's get busy!

[Soldier4Christ]

Sneaky Snakes



    Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the LORD God had made. "Really?" he asked the woman. "Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?" (Genesis 3:1)

I read a story this week about a young son of a missionary in Zaire. The boy was playing in the yard when suddenly he heard his father yell to him from the porch, "Philip, obey me instantly! Drop to your stomach!" Without hesitation the boy did as his father commanded. His father then commanded, "Now crawl to me as fast as you can!" Again, the boy immediately obeyed.

"Now stand up and run to me!" Philip responded without questioning and ran into his fathers arms.

When Philip turned around and looked back at the tree where he was standing, he saw a huge, poisonous snake hanging from one of the branches.

Perhaps you are a lot like Philip and you don't even know it. Life seems to be going well as you playfully enjoy the circumstances God has placed you in.

But wait; there is always the possibility of a snake sneaking up behind you- ready to strike. In fact, I believe that there are many of you out there that have been led to read this devotion because you do, in fact, have a venomous viper equipped to eat your spiritual lunch.

That's a scary thought- I know. But the good news is that you have a Father who watches over you 24/7, and He is ready to warn you at the first sign of danger.

    (O.K. Lane, you sorta lost me in this analogy...could you please be a little more concrete?)

Sure!

The snakes that sneak up on you come in all shapes and sizes, but they are all very dangerous. The little ones could be the internet sites you 'accidentally' visit, the programs you watch, the music you listen to- anything that seems harmless enough, but in reality it is poisoning your walk with Christ.

The bigger snakes are situations like hanging out with the wrong crowd, going to 'those' kinds of parties, letting bitterness take root, dabbling with the occult or dropping out of church. These are the reptiles that can ruin your relationship with God permanently.

Remember- Satan has been hissing the same strategy since the days of Adam and Eve. It basically boils down to one phrase: 'did God really say?'

You can fill in the blank. Did God really say that I shouldn't ___________?

    "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour." (I Peter 5:

I think you probably get the picture. So what does it sound like when God sends a warning? Well, it could be the very thing that you are reading right now! He also speaks through godly friends, sermons/lessons, personal prayer and Bible study, and occasionally even strange co-incidences that really aren't.

Listen! Is anyone shouting instructions your way? Think about it-Philip could have been like most kids and said 'hang on a second' or 'in a minute' to his father...but those would have been the last words he ever spoke. Perhaps this is the week you need to read the handwriting on the wall instead of listening to the snake in the grass!

[Soldier4Christ]

You Love...What?



    "Yes, He is very precious to you who believe" (1 Peter 2:7)

I have three questions for you...

   1. What is precious to you? Perhaps that's not a word that you use very much, or maybe it's overused, so let me put it this way: what do you cherish? What holds the dearest place in your heart and has the highest value in your life?

      Maybe the answer to that is not so easy.

      We Americans living in the 21st century generally have a lot of things competing for that position. We esteem money because of the power it holds and the freedoms it enables us to have. We consider our family and friends precious because of their love and companionship. We hold dear our plans, possessions, and personal happiness. So how do we gauge what we cherish the most?

      For the believer in Jesus Christ, this question is supposed to be a no-brainer. The Bible says in I Peter 2:7 that the Lord IS precious to us who believe. Peter doesn't say that Jesus SHOULD be cherished, or HOPEFULLY WILL BECOME of value to us; He simply is. As all rivers eventually join the sea, so should all our passions flow into the preciousness of the Savior.
   2. When did Jesus lose His rightful place as the most Beloved in your life? Perhaps your once vibrant spiritual life has become a howling wilderness with no signs of Christ to be found. If so, let me suggest an exercise. Close your eyes and try to remember how it felt to know that you were absolutely forgiven, when you learned that the King of kings and Creator of the cosmos was scandalously in love with you. Recall how you felt when you realized that Jesus gave His very life so that you could spend eternity with Him. He was the first Person you spoke to in the morning, and He was your final conversation before bed. He was the obsession of your thoughts and the speech of your lips. You wept for those who rejected His free offer of salvation, and you raged against those who would dare speak ill of Him.

      Oh but that was rookie Christianity stuff. We who are 'mature' have a kindler, gentler approach. We have many relationships and dreams that now have become more precious to us - but He'll understand. (Really? "But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first!" Revelation 2:4)
   3. Here's my last question: what would you do without Jesus? Perhaps familiarity has bred contempt for our Redeemer; so let your thoughts travel for a moment to a world without Christ. For me, a life without Christ could not even be defined as 'life'. It would be a waking nightmare of loneliness, emptiness, depression, and hopelessness. I would have no perspective on my past, no joy for the moment, and no hope for the future...and that would just be the first hour of realizing He was gone! Take a moment and imagine Jesus not being the centerpiece of your life. If that's not a heartrending mental journey, then you're on the wrong lifeboat.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Real Thanksgiving



    Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. (Romans 1:21)

I know what you're thinking. That the first Thanksgiving involved pilgrims and turkey and other stuff (ing).

I've got news for you: the real first Thanksgiving (on record) happened not hundreds but thousands of years ago. Here's how it went:

    At harvest time Cain brought to the LORD a gift of his farm produce, while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his offering, but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected. "Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked him. "Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it." (Genesis 4:3-6)

One thanksgiving, two men, two offerings, and two totally different reactions. The Lord was looking for both of them to realize who was God and who was not, so He invented the first thanksgiving by asking them to bring an offering to praise Him.

There are many theories behind why God rejected Cain's offering, but the point is that there was obviously a mind-set problem with him that didn't set well with the Lord. Abel, however, gave his offering with a grateful heart, which is why God smiled back at him.

This is the time of year where we reflect on life and respond with being thankful, but let's not forget that God cares very much about the attitude behind the gratitude.

So the main question you need to ask yourself this weekend is: am I more like Cain, or Abel?

Here's what Thanksgiving would look like for Cain:

He gets up, and is mainly looking forward to completely gorging himself on free food. He is thankful for a few days off from school or work, but mainly because he likes to be lazy. At the table, he wants to be served first, and when it comes time praise God before the meal, his mind wanders to what is going on with the football game or getting together with friends later.

After the meal, his family gathers to have a time of sharing about things for which they are thankful. He is annoyed that he's stuck with a family that has to do such cheesy things, and wishes he didn't have to follow any rules.

Eventually the day ends, and finally he utters a quick prayer to God, thanking Him for...what was it again? Oh yeah, all the cool stuff he has.

That kind of thanksgiving is like wax fruit in a bowl my friend. It looks real on the outside, but in reality it is fake and useless, and that is why God rejects it.

Abel on the other hand, remembers that even the very air he breathes is a gift from God. He knows that if there is anything good in his life, it is directly from the hand of God. So his focus this weekend is take the energy he would normally devote to school and/or work, and direct it towards thanking God and serving others. So he is quick to help set the table and clean up afterwards, he is intentional in listening to others, and active in participating in the family traditions. At the end of the day he makes a list of all the blessings of God and thanks Jesus for each and every one of them.

Heartfelt thankfulness has an amazing effect. It gives us hope, turns our eyes on Jesus, and protects us from sin.

If you're having a hard time coming up with anything, start with this list:

I AM . . .

   1. A Child of God (Romans 8:16)
   2. Redeemed from the Hand of the Enemy (Psalm 107:2)
   3. Forgiven (Colossians 1:13,14)
   4. Saved by Grace through Faith (Ephesians 2:
   5. Justified (Romans 5:1)
   6. Sanctified (I Corinthians 6:11)
   7. A New Creature (II Corinthians 5:17)
   8. Partaker of His Divine Nature (II Peter 1:4)
   9. Redeemed from the Curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13)
  10. Delivered from the Powers of Darkness (Colossians 1:13)
  11. Led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14)
  12. A Son of God (Romans 8:74)
  13. Kept in Safety Wherever I Go (Psalm 91:11)
  14. Getting All My Needs Met by Jesus (Philippians 4:19)
  15. Casting All My Cares on Jesus (I Peter 5:7)
  16. Strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Might (Ephesians 6:10)
  17. Doing All Things through Christ Who Strengthens Me (Philippians 4:13)
  18. An Heir of God and a Joint Heir with Jesus (Romans 8:17)
  19. Heir to the Blessings of Abraham (Galatians 3:13, 14)
  20. Observing and Doing the Lord's Commandments (Deuteronomy 28:I2)
  21. Blessed Coming in and Blessed Going out (Deuteronomy 28:6)
  22. An Heir of Eternal Life (I John 5:11, 12)
  23. Blessed with All Spiritual Blessings (Ephesians 1:3)
  24. Healed by His Stripes (I Peter 2:24)
  25. Exercising My Authority over the Enemy (Luke 10:19)
  26. Above Only and Not Beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13)
  27. More than a Conqueror (Romans 8:37)
  28. Establishing God's Word Here on Earth (Matthew 16:19)
  29. An Overcomer by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of My Testimony (Revelation 12:11)
  30. Daily overcoming the Devil (I John 4:4)
  31. Not Moved by What I See (II Corinthians 4:18)
  32. Walking by Faith and Not by Sight (II Corinthians 5:7)
  33. Casting Down Vain Imaginations (II Corinthians 10:4, 5)
  34. Bringing Every Thought into Captivity (II Corinthians 10:5)
  35. Being Transformed by Renewing My Mind (Romans 12:1, 2)
  36. A Laborer Together with God (I Corinthians 5:21)
  37. The Righteousness of God in Christ (II Corinthians 5:21)
  38. An Imitator of Jesus (Ephesians 5:1)
  39. The Light of the World (Matthew 5:14)
  40. Blessing the Lord at All Times and Continually Praising the Lord with My Mouth (Psalm 34:1)

[Soldier4Christ]

The Voices in My Head



    "Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still." (Psalm 4:4)

I used to hate mornings. For some people, breaking up is hard to do- but for me...waking up is hard to do.

It still is difficult to get up, but lately I've come across a little technique that has helped me tremendously in my spiritual life.

It's called animal training, but it's not what you think. True, I do feed my dog in the morning - but I'm talking about something completely different. I actually got the idea from C.S. Lewis:

    The real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.

Get it? The idea here is to contemplate your first thoughts when you are in that semi-conscious place. All those wild 'animals' are probably things that God wants you to deal with in the strength of His might. If you don't stop them through the power of prayer, they will stampede through your day like a crash of rhinos.

Here is a list of animal training questions/answers to help you tame your tumultuous thoughts:

1. Am I troubled and/or worried about something?

    Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? (Matthew 6:25)

2. Is there some responsibility you have been blowing off that is bothering you?

    So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

3. Is there a goal you've been planning on starting but keep putting off?

    But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

4. Is there an unhealthy relationship you are in and you know you need to get out?

    Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? (II Corinthians 6:14)

5. Is there a destructive habit or sin that you feel convicted about?

    Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31)

6. Is there someone you need to forgive?

    "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matthew 6:14-15)

Remember that if God takes your first thoughts in the morning, He'll most likely take first place the rest of your day. So animal train your slumberous speculations and subdue them with the Spirit of God...your life will never be the same!

[Soldier4Christ]

Hole Thing



    "Hole Ting."

That's what my two-year-old says. He has developed the habit of wanting it all. My wife will often offer him a spoonful of food from her plate. I will break off a piece of what I am eating and hand it to him. He shakes his head. He emphatically says,

    "Hole Ting."

He doesn't want a piece. He doesn't want a spoonful. He wants the whole thing. I wondered, "Where did he get such behavior?" Who taught him that? Where did he pick it up?

Hole Ting?

Why didn't he want to share? Why wasn't he satisfied with what was given to him? Wasn't the piece sufficient? The piece was plenty and he could get as many as he could eat. Why did he want the whole thing? Was he acting like a child or an adult?

As I watched other children, I saw that it was more innate for children to want the whole thing. They wanted the whole toy without sharing. They wanted all of mama's attention. They wanted the swing or the tricycle all of the time.

Hole Ting.

Many of the conflicts and wars are over the same thing. People don't want to share. They want it all.

Hole Ting.

It's not just for kids anymore.

    (From MountainWings.com – The Daily Inspirational Email)

I would wager that this story hits a little closer to home than most of us would like to admit. It's cute when two year olds act that way, but sorta sad when they never outgrow it.

Can you recall what follows quickly on the heels of the wanting the 'hole ting'? Here's what the brother of Jesus had to say about it:

    "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight." (James 4:1-2)

What James is saying is that selfish behavior was supposed to be outgrown about the same time as diapers- and if you're still acting selfishly, don't be surprised by the mess you leave behind in your relationships.

Isn't it amazing how so many Christians complain about not having the deep friendships they 'deserve', but they are the same ones who live by the creed of the hole ting? Duh!

Here's a very valuable exercise for you to do...think back on the last time you were in a fight with someone- and remember, I'm not talking about a healthy conflict where you were resolving an important issue. What I mean is those all-out rock-em sock-em low blowing verbal assaults. My guess is that somewhere in all your self-justifying "wish I would have said" memory lies the core of your contention:

Hole Ting.

You wanted your way, but you didn't get it. You desired the spotlight, but nobody turned it on. Someone dared make a mistake that hurt your feelings- now you will make them pay.

You know what the real problem is? There is nothing on this earth that really represents the hole ting...only God can provide that- which is why you need to stop looking to everyone around you to meet the needs that are on Jesus' job description. That's the funny thing about it- the more you concentrate on considering others more important than yourselves, the more your own needs will be met.

So you want the hole ting? Try making yourself no thing...it's not just for Jesus anymore.

[Soldier4Christ]

Don't be a Rolling Stone



    "You have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you." (Colossians 3:10)

Of course God doesn't need a job. I'm fairly confident that He has more than enough to do with running the entire universe and all. I'm sure glad that He takes His job seriously, aren't you? For example, did you know that if God allowed the earth to get just a little bit off course, we'd all be either human popsicles or poster children for tanning oil?

But if our Father did end up needing to find employment, He would make an excellent lapidary- don't you agree? Oh, maybe you need a little clarification- no problem:

Lapidary is the term for a cutter, polisher, or engraver of precious stones. In other words, he or she takes rough looking rocks and (through extreme skill and patience) turns them into the gems that folks pay the big bucks for in the jewelry store.

So why would God qualify as a lapidary? Because in a way, He has been practicing this art since the beginning of time. No, God doesn't sit around and polish stones in His spare time; rather He uses these skills on people.

Huh?

Remember what you were like before you trusted Christ? Or perhaps how you would have turned out if you never had been saved? I know... scary picture- and it's the same with me. Yet God is not content to leave us that way. To Him we are rough stones who have incredible potential to become precious jewels...but only after years of being refined and polished.

God delights in using the sand of circumstances, the tool of trials, and the fabric of failures to remove the tarnish of our transgressions and the stain of our shortcomings. People who resist this are just not very bright- in more ways than one! Those who allow God to be a lapidary in their lives can lavish in the luxury of love.

Are you a stone that keeps jumping of God's table? He is very patient, but He is also determined to make you into a dazzling display.

Why does He take the time to be a lapidary? Does our Savior find joy in the pain of our lives? Absolutely not! Dark clouds come into everyone's lives- the difference is that Jesus uses them to make us more like Him. He also knows that life itself was intended to be lived looking like a diamond, not smelling like a dung heap.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:28-29)

So the issue is this- in looking back over the past few years of being a believer, are you looking more like the pit you were dug out of or the Person who gave His life for you?

God knows that you are starting to shine when He looks at you and sees a reflection of Himself.

[Soldier4Christ]

Are You A BB Head?



    And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matthew 16:18)

I once heard a story about a startling exhibit in Del Mar, California. A man took a glass beaker which had a small neck, but was enlarged to about seven inches in diameter below the neck. The beaker would hold about a quart.

The demonstrator used the glass beaker as a hammer to drive a spike into a wooden plank. The glass was so well tempered that the beaker did not break.

The man then took a small steel marble or bearing the size of a pea, and holding it at the neck of the beaker, dropped it inside. When it struck the bottom the glass was shattered and the beaker was broken from within.

Have you ever thought of your church/youth group as a beaker? It may have a label on it that reads Methodist, Presbyterian, Charismatic, Baptist, Lutheran, or a hundred others. Or it may have a general tag on it that says 'community church' or 'fellowship'- but can you guess what they all have in common with the beaker mentioned in the story above?

    "Is it that all churches are like glass and therefore transparent to the outside world?"

That's a great guess, and in fact I agree- we shouldn't fool ourselves into thinking that the non-Christian world isn't watching us as closely as a lion waiting to pounce on his prey at the first opportunity...but that's not what I'm looking for.

    "Is it that the beaker is designed to be filled in order to be useful, therefore we should pray for our church to be filled with the Spirit?"

Again, spectacular speculation, and we should definitely beg the Holy Spirit to sweep through our ministries like a level 5 tornado in Kansas...but that's still not it.

    "Is it that glass needs to be cleaned, therefore we should look for some holy Windex® to clean off the fingerprints of sin?"

Oh forget it. I'll get to the point!

As you read in the verse above, Jesus promised the He would build His church, "and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18). In other words, no outside opposition-not even hell itself- would ever be able to break down the strategy of the Savior. So just like the beaker, we may look fragile- but in the hands of the Almighty we can deliver a death blow to the 'spike' of sin on this earth.

By the same token, though, all it takes is some BB head to shatter the structure from the inside! Maybe that's why the Bible warns again and again of malcontent mischief makers that putrefy the pews. Satan doesn't have to attack from the outside to destroy a ministry; he just needs to infuse a few flibbertigibbets into God's family.

Perhaps it is time for us to encourage the marbles in our midst to move on before more damage is done.

Can you see them rolling around your building? If not, let me give you a few characteristics.

    * They gossip maliciously and call it 'prayer requests' or 'sharing concerns'
    * They complain more than they praise
    * They go to church to 'get something out of it'
    * They refuse to do 'lowly' work like fold up chairs or clean-up
    * They refuse to forgive
    * They can easily spot the splinter in others and miss their own personal plank (Matthew 7)
    * They do not play well with others
    * They go out of their way to be applauded, praised, and popularized in public places

On and on and on the list goes- but I think you should have a pretty good idea by now of the kind of folks that break the beakers. So this week, take an inventory first of yourself- then of others- and pray about how you can do your part to keep the integrity of your church as strong as God intends it to be. Walk away from gossip, confront negativity on the spot, worship in Spirit and truth, and pray for unity in your group- because God is definitely not into the game of marbles!

[Soldier4Christ]

The Real Me?



    The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

    In my relationships with persons I have found that it does not help, in the long run, to act as though I were something that I am not.

    - Carl Rogers

Good call, Carl. If you're reading this and you didn't know that- believe me, it is absolutely true. Oh yeah, hiding your true self and playing someone else may work in the short run, but one day you will be found out- then the whole foundation of your relationship crumples like burnt paper in your hands.

So lesson number one is be yourself...(exception: obviously if deep down you are a selfish, prideful, backstabbing, social ladder climber- maybe you shouldn't be yourself). I guess my point is you should be the person God made you to be, not the person the devil is trying to mold you into.

Which brings up lesson number two: be yourself especially in your relationship with God.

News flash: He is the Creator...as in: He created you. He knows you inside and out. Nobody said it better than the man after God's own heart: King David -

    O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away.

    You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

    Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!

    I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

    I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night--but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you.

    You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.

    Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.

    You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
    You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

    How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!

    I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:1-18)

    Wow! Basically what David is telling us here is that to try and hide yourself from God is absolutely idiotic. Were we thinking that we could surprise God? Is there any thought, action, or attitude that we can shield from an all-knowing, all-seeing God?

    To some this might be a terrifying thought, but to the believer this should be wonderful news! Think about it: Jesus knows everything you have ever done, are doing and will do- and yet He's crazy about you! He blows away Santa in the "He knows when you've been_______" category; still He showers us with unbelievable gifts everyday of the year.

    So this week, try going to your Savior and opening up like never before. Pour out your heart. Tell Him about your weaknesses, failures, and shortcomings- because it's not like He didn't know already. If you do this on a consistent basis, it will have an amazing impact on your relationship with Christ.

    One more thing- how did the knowledge of God's knowledge affect David?

    Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Let's keep it real, and may this be our prayer as well...