Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

Working At The Car Wash

One evening, a member of the Dare 2 Share board had the privilege of leading his 7-year-old son to Christ. The next morning the little boy came down the stairs and said:

    "Daddy, I feel like I just went through the car wash!"

Remember the fantastic day when you placed your trust in Christ as your only hope of forgiveness? Our souls were like vehicles that just drove 6000 miles through the swill and sewage of desecrated days, then we were proclaimed clean through the blood of our Lord. Any and all past present and future sins were cast into the deepest sea, and we were declared righteous before our Creator.

But wait; do we ever need to go through the car wash again?

The answer is no, and yes.

    * No: In the sense that "there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1). The highest court in the universe has declared us 'not guilty'. God sees us as righteous as Jesus Himself, and we never need worry again about the judgment of God...However:
    * Yes: In the sense that we are still driving around in a world that wallows in wickedness like a swine in sloshy slop (just turn on the T.V. sometime). We are clean before God, but we need a daily disinfectant to divulge ourselves of our daily desecrations.

Here's the way David put it: Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 51:2)

Satan would have us believe one of two things:

   1. Since I have been forgiven of all my sins, there is no need for me to seek God's cleansing and restoration of fellowship with Him.
   2. I am still guilty before my Lord, therefore I must ask for salvation again and again and again.

Both are equally dangerous, and neither is true. So let's set the record straight so we can walk in grace and holiness at the same time. To do so, we'll observe the example of Peter at the Last Supper:

    Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he had around him. When he came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, "Lord, why are you going to wash my feet?"

    Jesus replied, "You don't understand now why I am doing it; someday you will."

    "No," Peter protested, "you will never wash my feet!"

    Jesus replied, "But if I don't wash you, you won't belong to me."

    Simon Peter exclaimed, "Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!"

    Jesus replied, "A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean." (John 13:3-10)

See what is happening here? Jesus is setting an example of servanthood, and in doing so He teaches us a key theological lesson. As Christians, we have been forgiven of all our iniquities in a legal sense (we've 'bathed' all over). In other words, the record against us in heaven has been wiped clean forever. Yet at the same time, everyday we sin against a holy God in word, action, and attitude, therefore we still require cleansing in a practical sense (our 'feet are dirty). Peter was 'clean' all over, but because he walked through the sloppy streets, he needed his feet washed by the Savior. Jesus used the physical situation to teach a spiritual truth.

Take some time each day to take your soul through the 'car wash', because Jesus hates to ride around in a dirty car!

[Soldier4Christ]

Busyness Bashed The Believer



    "Be silent, and know that I am God!" (Pslam 46:10)

Ever find yourself saying to people: "My schedule is crazy right now"? How about: "Man, I am so tired these days from all the stuff I have to do".

I hear that all the time, in fact I've said it myself. What a shame, because that's not the way God intended life to be lived. In reality, it's Satan who tempts us to push our schedule to the brink. If he can't get us sinning, he can at least keep us busy.

It doesn't have to be that way, you know? Somewhere in between the time of your aggravating alarm in the morning and your final feelings before bed, you should take a spiritual breather.

But I don't have time! I have way too much to do already!

Are you sure? Maybe you've just piled up a heaping helping of hectic hullabaloo.

Here's a story that illustrates the point:

    As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me."

    But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it-and I won't take it away from her." (Luke 10:38-42)

Martha had a palm-pilot. Martha had a cell-phone. Martha defined herself by her diligent diversions. Martha was so busy 'doing' for God that she forgot where God was- in her own living room!

People in our day would look down on Mary.

    "What have you been doing all day Mary?"

    "Nothing."

    "Oh, are you sick? Is there something wrong? Why aren't you being productive?"

Notice what Jesus said: "There is really only one thing worth being concerned about..."

I suggest that each and every day you schedule a "peace out" time where you do nothing but sit at Jesus' feet. I must warn you, though; it will come at a price. You might fall behind on the flow of "Dawson's Creek", or even miss out on the latest half-baked serving of 'reality' T.V.

The important thing to keep in mind is that every precious second invested in your relationship with Christ can never be taken away.

What does a "peace out" time look like?

I get alone, in a quiet room or in a park. I clear my thoughts of all worries, knowing that God is in control. I listen intently to all that is going on, and I turn my eyes upon Jesus in worship, praise, adoration, and love. I remember His blessings, I confess my sins, I plead for grace, and most importantly: I am silent so I can know that He is God.

Peace out!

[Soldier4Christ]

Put Your Coat On



    "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer..." (I Peter 3:12)

    One night I had the strangest dream...I was walking through a city on a frigidly cold morning, and I noticed that every single person I saw was not wearing a coat. They shivered and moaned as I passed them, and they were obviously freezing to death. After seeing this for some time, I finally stopped one of the citizens and asked,

    "Haven't you ever heard of coats?"

    "Of course I know about coats," the man replied.

    "Then why aren't you wearing one?" I asked.

    "What a fascinating question," the man answered. "I shall have to look into that."

    A little further down, I came across a woman crouched on the corner hugging herself in an effort to keep warm.

    "Why does no one here wear coats?" I inquired. "Don't you know about them?"

    "Believe me," she said, "we all know quite a bit about coats. We read books about coats, think about coats, and even suggest to each other different ways of making coats. In fact, every week we have a 'coat enthusiasts' meeting to talk about great coats of the past, and how much we like them."

    "Then why don't you wear them when it's freezing cold outside???"

    ""What a fascinating question," the woman answered. "I shall have to look into that."

It occurred to me that life in this fallen world of ours is a lot like living in a cold, freezing city. The world, the flesh, and the devil hound and harass us like an arctic wind gusting in our face. The only coat we have is prayer. The indescribable privilege of conversing with the Creator of the universe is the one protection and warmth that works.

Why, then, do we not wear our coats? We talk about prayer, sing about it, read books about it, suggest new ways to do it...yet in the final analysis most of us are huddled on the street corner, beaten down by the winds of life.

Do you want the secret to praying? Here it is: the secret to a good prayer life is to pray. No really, that's it. The Apostle Paul wrote:

    "Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere." (Ephesians 6:18)

Notice: "at all times" and "on every occasion". That pretty much covers every hour of the day and each circumstance you may encounter. Look at it this way: every moment of your day presents some opportunity to pray. Don't just think about it, or talk about it, or wish you did it more: just pray! When you do, you may discover that life isn't as cold as it really seemed.

[Soldier4Christ]

Feeble Followers



    Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. (I Timothy 4:

Most of us could probably use a little more exercise in our daily regimen. I thought I would let you in on a little secret I've found for building your arm and shoulder muscles. If you adopt this regimen just three days a week, it works very well.

I start by standing outside behind the house and, with a 5 pound potato sack in each hand, extend my arms straight out to my sides and hold them there as long as I can.

After a few weeks of this I moved up to 10 pound potato sacks, then 50 pound potato sacks and finally I got to where I could lift a 100 pound potato sack in each hand and hold my arms out straight for more than a full minute!

Next, I started putting a few potatoes in the sacks, but I would caution all of you not to overdo it at this level.

I wonder how many of our "spiritual" exercise programs are a lot like my potato plan? We think that we're making huge progress from outward appearances, but there really isn't anything 'in the bag'. We think we're doing pretty well, but Jesus says to us:

    "You say, `I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." (Revelation 3:17)

Notice what Paul is saying in this verse: "spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next." Sure, we may look pretty buff by exercising in this life- but 100 years from now, who will even care? Working out spiritually gains rewards for eternity.

You see, your spiritual life is a lot like a muscle. If you don't use it, it shrinks and becomes pretty useless.

O.K., so take a minute and look in God's mirror to check out the shape of your soul. If you stand sideways and stick out your tongue, do you look like a zipper? Or have you been working out so much that if you flex you could rip the cover off an NIV study Bible?

Dear Christians, the majority of us have a prayer life that resembles more self-talk than saintly statements. We don't know our Matthews from our Malachis, and our worship is as pure as the driven sludge. It's time to start working out like Christ is coming back tomorrow, because He just might...

[Soldier4Christ]

Prayer 101



    "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (Matthew 6:7-8)

The disciples struggled with the whole area of prayer. Perhaps like us, they were unsure of the "how to's" of communing with God. So they did the smart thing: they asked Jesus. The Lord then proceeded to give them a model that encompasses the heart, soul, mind, and strength of what prayer is in Matthew 6:9-13:

    Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
    Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
    For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

    Amen.

But that was 2000 years ago, have we not been able to improve on the original version? Nope. If anything, Christianity has distorted, warped, misconstrued, and otherwise perverted Jesus' perfect pattern into a self-serving idolatrous evangelical idiom. So let's go 'old school' today and consider some important ideas surrounding this impeccable prayer.

    * I cannot say OUR if my religion has no room for others and their need.
    * I cannot say FATHER if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily living.
    * I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if all my interest and pursuits are in earthly things.
    * I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I do not give Him honor, glory, and trust.
    * I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am unwilling to have His Kingdom grow in my heart, my home, my church, my country, my world.
    * I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I am unwilling or resentful of having it done in my life.
    * I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN unless I am truly ready to give myself to His service here and now.
    * I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD without expending honest effort for it or by ignoring the genuine needs of our brothers and sisters.
    * I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.
    * I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.
    * I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of Word and Prayer.
    * I cannot say THINE IS THE KINGDOM if I do not give the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.
    * I cannot say THINE IS THE POWER if I fear what my neighbors and friends may say or do.
    * I cannot say THINE IS THE GLORY if I am seeking my own glory first.
    * I cannot say FOREVER if I am too anxious about each day's affairs.
    * I cannot say AMEN unless I honestly say, "Cost what it may, this is my
      prayer."



So here's a suggestion. Each day this week, go through the Lord's Prayer in a fresh way with a different perspective. Consider how each of those statements impacts you before you bring them before God. Only then will you be able to experience what Christ intended by the words: "this, then, is how you should pray..."

[Soldier4Christ]

When Paul Met Dr. Seuss



    [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. (Philippians 3:10-Amplified Bible)

The Apostle Paul could have been labeled many things: evangelist, teacher, missionary, writer, and martyr. Yet what is interesting is that he wouldn't have been satisfied with any of these titles, because to him, the only thing that mattered was being a Jesus Freak.

What do I mean by that? Well, according to Philippians 3, his one main singularly focused goal in life was to "know" Christ. For Paul, all the witnessing, praying, suffering, and ultimately the dying was all about knowing Jesus. This is not your run of the mill 'head knowledge' mind you, but an intimate and ongoing experiential knowledge that deepened every day in every way. He understood that falling more deeply in love with Christ and getting to know Him personally was the foundation to everything in life. In fact, you could not offer him enough money, power, prestige, or pleasure to distract him from his goal of experiencing Christ personally.

It was his amazing relationship with the King of Kings that motivated him to advance the Kingdom.

Many times we as believers get caught up in way too many distractions that sway us from growing in our knowledge of the Savior. For some it is materialism, for others it is personal gain. Even religious activity can sidetrack us from our primary path of "progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly". So in the spirit of Dr. Seuss, I offer this reminder -

    Oh, The Savior You Could Know!

    Do you know Jesus? I hope you do
    For those who don't don't have a clue
    About the meaning of life and what not
    So here are some questions for you (for thought)

    Do you know Him when you're at school?
    Do you know Him when you think you're cool?

    Do you know Him when you're proud?
    Do you know Him when it is quiet (or loud)?

    Do you know Him when you're day is about to start?
    Do you know Him when you've got a broken heart?

    When you lie on your bed, is He in your head?
    Will He remember you when you're dead?

    Jesus in the morning, and especially at night
    Jesus when courageous, or pale with fright

    Jesus the King, the friend, the brother
    Jesus closer than even your mother

    So start today knowing Christ in a deeper way
    Believe me, your heart will say: 'hooray'!

[Soldier4Christ]

Where Have All The Bibles Gone?



    Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Mark 13:31)

    * Only in America...can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.
    * Only in America...do people order a double cheeseburger, large fries, and a diet coke.
    * Only in America...do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.
    * Only in America...do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and leave useless things and junk in boxes in the garage.
    * Only in America...do we use answering machines to screen calls and then have call waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want to talk to in the first place.
    * Only in America...do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.
    * Only in America...do we use the word "politics" to describe the process so well: "Poli" in Latin meaning "many" and "tics" meaning "blood-sucking creatures."

While all these things are funny and true, there is one other truth (that isn't so funny) about America that should be considered by Christians.

Only in America...do we keep publishing more and more different versions of the Bible, yet read them less and less.

Never before in history have believers had more access to Biblical truth, yet at the same time been generally ignorant of God's word. Think about it- we have Bibles for children and teenagers, Bibles specifically made for men and women, Bibles for different occupations, denominations, and themes. I'm just waiting for a version of Scripture to come out with a "When Harry Potter Met Jabez" subject matter.

We also have access to God's Word on tape, on CD ROM, and on the internet. So why are we so uninformed when it comes to the Truth of all truths?

It has been said the "familiarity breeds contempt", and I think that is the case in our nation today. We are so surrounded by the opportunity to learn Scripture that we forget it is there in the first place. I've read stories about Christians in nations where the Bible is illegal who will secretly pass around single pages of Scripture after they completely memorized them. Perhaps they remember something that we have forgotten- the same thing that David understood:

    Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD. Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles! Then I will not be disgraced when I compare my life with your commands. When I learn your righteous laws, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your principles. Please don't give up on me! How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules. I have tried my best to find you--don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:1-11)

Today would be a great day to start studying Scripture on a regular basis. If you think you don't have time, something is wrong with your schedule. If you think the Bible is boring or irrelevant, something is wrong with your attitude. If you think there is no one in your life that can help you understand the Word, something is wrong with your relationships.

Only in America...do we desperately desire God's will for our lives, and ignore the 66 books that talk all about it.

[Soldier4Christ]

God's Got Mail

Isn't it frustrating when you send an e-mail to a friend, only to have it returned as 'undeliverable mail'? Maybe the address changed, or you mistyped it. Either way, you tried to connect with someone, but instead you got that message right back in your face.

Sometimes prayer can feel like that. You offer up requests to God and try to connect, but deep down you feel like it's coming back as 'undeliverable prayers'.

Maybe God was too busy, or just plain tired of hearing from you. It feels like the prayer came right back in your face.

I've got good news for you. In God's network, there is no such thing as an undeliverable prayer. He is never too busy, and He never grows weary of hearing your voice. His attentive ear is constantly turned towards His children, and His angels stand ready to swiftly deliver an answer.

Sound good? Well then, I've got even better news for you. If you are still feeling discouraged about your prayer life, then remember that Jesus prays for you as well!

It's all there in John 17, and it's all good! Talk about your ultimate e-mail, our Savior sent a message to the Father about you and me nearly 2000 years ago, and the communiqués will continue until the culmination of the centuries.

[Soldier4Christ]

What A Rush!



    But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20)

I remember (a few years back) reading about how thousands of people were flocking to the western United States to find gold. River bottoms from California to Colorado were being scoured for treasure, and old abandoned gold mines found new life. What is interesting is that all these people had known for years that there was gold to be found in those places, but the difference became the value of that precious metal. As soon as the price of gold skyrocketed, mining the dust and flecks became a worthwhile effort.

What would you do if you found out that 100 pounds of gold was hidden within the walls of your home? If it were me, I would drop everything I was doing and search like mad. Suddenly, the television, the internet, and even eating would hold much less interest for me in the light of finding the treasure.

Guess what? You have something within the restrictions of your residence that is worth far more than any amount of gold. Sure, I don't know everything that's in your house- but I'm willing to wager that somewhere on a coffee table or in a bookshelf or under your bed is a book that has simply this on the cover:
Holy Bible

Who says that the Bible is worth more than gold? At least two very prominent people:

Job (an extremely wealthy person) said that the wisdom of God cannot be purchased for any price (Job 28:15)

King David (an even wealthier person) said:

    "The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb." (Psalm 19:9-10)

Now it's one thing for people who have no riches to say that God's word has more value than material things- how would they know? It's quite another for someone who has 'been there/done that' to state that Scripture has the highest importance in the universe.

Why is Scripture better than gold? Here are just a few reasons:

    * It leads people to salvation
    * It shows us how to live a meaningful life
    * It draws us closer to the Savior
    * It comforts, directs, encourages, heals, convicts, and a hundred other things that money cannot do

Maybe that spiritual "gold mine" has been there all along, but now you realize that the benefits are more than worth the effort. Here are a couple suggestions on getting started:

    * Begin with a Proverb or a Psalm a day
    * Commit to reading through one of the gospels over the next few months
    * Ask your youth leader and/or a friend to read through one of Paul's letters
    * Just pick it up and begin at the beginning- you know: THE Beginning (Genesis 1:1)

So what are you waiting for? Grab your spiritual pick and start digging!

[Soldier4Christ]

Jabez Revisited



    "Little children, guard yourselves from idols." (I John 5:21)

As you obviously already know, Jabez is sweeping the nation. Now we have websites, neckties, theme songs, and (who knows?) maybe there will even be a home game version coming soon!

Yet I feel like any and all Jabez products should come with this warning label:

    Warning: misinterpreting and or misusing this prayer may be hazardous to your theological perspective.

1 Chronicles 4:9-11 was intended to be a template for a prayer, not a magic charm for success. Jabez's request was granted because he fully relied on God, not because he spoke the correct words.

It seems clear to me that God is in the business of blessing us, and He loves to hear us pray. So I suggest that you use the prayer of Jabez as a guide to pouring out your heart and confessing your complete reliance upon God.
What would that look like? Here's an example:

    * Oh, that you would bless (your name)
          o Bless me so that I can be a blessing to others and advance your Kingdom.
          o Bless my witnessing efforts, that my friends will come to Christ.
    * and enlarge my territory!
          o Enlarge my sphere of relationships and responsibility as I exemplify Jesus Christ.
          o Enlarge my opportunities to share the gospel with those around me.
    * Let your hand be with me
          o Father, may your forgiveness and grace overwhelm me.
          o Jesus, may your presence guide me.
          o Holy Spirit, may your power flow from me.
    * and keep me from evil so that I would be free from pain
          o Protect me from the plans and schemes of Satan.
          o Deliver me from the power of my sinful nature.

Remember, your place in life is not by accident. God greatly desires to use you in the greatest cause: advancing His kingdom.

[Soldier4Christ]

Super-Size Spirituality



    Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (I Peter 2:1-3)

I recently read an article about how the incidence of heart disease in Japan has risen sharply over the past decade. For hundreds of years, Japan has had a relatively small percentage of its population plagued by plaque. Yet in the span of a few short years, the populace is suddenly threatened with a real health problem.

Is there a government conspiracy to keep the population down? No. Is there an airborne virus that automatically raises cholesterol levels? I don't think so. Actually the cause is pretty easy to spot: two words- fast food.

Yep, with the introduction of good old greasy American by products into the food market of Japan, heart disease came lagging right behind. The traditional Japanese diet was incredibly healthy, that's one reason why bad heart health was not formerly a problem.

Don't get me wrong, I am definitely one of the '6 billion served' or whatever it is up to now. I'm the first to divert to the drive-through instead of making a meal. The point is that taking dietary short cuts makes a long road to health.

Too bad we don't have a test to instantly check in on our spiritual health. My guess is that most Christians are fast-food eaters, and that's a bad thing. Let me list a few of the spiritual fast food restaurants in your area to see if you've been dining there lately.

McBibles- you can't miss this place; it's the one with the golden lettering on the front. Most people flip it open and shove down a quick verse or two, burp out an application, and hit the road. Oh, the ingredients are there for an incredible meal, but it's a lot easier to live by the Evangelical motto: A verse a day keeps the devil away.

Church Bell- Many believers make a weekly run for the spiritual border. Sure, the truth is pastorally processed and religiously refried, but 30 minutes of preacher pontification seems to fill you up for six days.

Media King- Why break open your Bible or go to church when you can be fed right in the comfort of your own car or living room? There's plenty of spiritual fast food floating through the airwaves, so why not dine on some delicious doctrinal delivery?

Of course there is nothing wrong with getting spiritually fed once in a while at these restaurants, but if they become the primary sources of your spiritual diet, you are headed for spiritual heart disease.

Charles H. Spurgeon once said:

    "A true Christian would rather go without a meal than without a sermon. He would sooner miss a meal than lose his daily portion of Scripture or his daily resort to the house of prayer."

This week, take some time to really 'crave' the living word of God. Read, recite, memorize, and share with others what you have learned. You may be surprised how incredible a real spiritual meal tastes. Bon Appetit!

[Soldier4Christ]

Sleepy Saints



    But he did not know that the LORD had left him. (Judges 16:20)

One afternoon I was in an intense meditation session on my couch. OK, I'll be honest- I was dozing off for a nap. With the tunes and television off, the entire house was quiet as a mouse. I heard a click, and suddenly my surroundings went dead, as if something alive had departed. Actually my feeling was right, because the electricity had gone off! I had forgotten that my refrigerator gives out a low hum that you can barely hear. I had grown so familiar to it that I had lost my awareness of it- until it was gone.

There are many Christians that are starting to 'doze off' in their spiritual lives. They have grown so familiar to God's abiding presence that they take for granted the dynamic difference He is making in their lives. Perhaps they are spiritually sleepy because they have been believers for a while, and without the excitement there is no commitment. Or maybe their relationship with Christ was like a summer romance, and when the fun times left the building- their dedication followed right behind.

Today's verse is describing the condition of a man who is listed as a 'hero' of the faith in Hebrews 11. He was an amazing warrior for God and a champion for Israel. His name was Samson, a man who lived most of his life fueled by a fantastic faith. However, at one point in his life, he got spiritually sleepy- and it cost him dearly. He broke a promise that he had made to God, so God broke off the relationship that he had given to Samson. Did Samson even know it? Evidently not, at least until his superhuman strength turned into pathetic powerlessness.

While we are in no danger of losing the presence of God in our lives, there is definitely a daily risk of extinguishing the fire of the Holy Spirit's power through our spiritual sleepiness. He did not choose to take up residence in your life to make you feel warm and fuzzy, He resides within you to rock your world for the Kingdom. One of the best ways you can keep wakeful in your walk is to share the gospel early and often.

Wake up believers! Stay alert to the astonishing actions that God takes in our otherwise meaningless lives. Cherish the captivating care that God graciously grants to us. Don't turn into a semi-conscious sleepy saint, or you may wake up one day to a dead spiritual house.

[Soldier4Christ]

Look Both Ways Before Crossing



    For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 12:13-14)

One day a pastor was busy writing his sermon when his little boy walked in and asked what he was doing. "I'm writing my message for the congregation, son". The child then asked: "Does God tell you what to say, Daddy?" The pastor replied, "of course He does!"- the youngster thought about that for a minute, then he asked: "Daddy, if God tells you what to say, then why do you keep crossing things out?"

By the way- why do we keep crossing things out? God does not give us the option of picking and choosing what we believe or don't believe from His word. Check out what Jesus said:

    Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35-36)

The statements of Scripture are not just words on a page or the ramblings of Jesus freaks. They are the living, breathing, powerful Word of God. In fact, billions of years from now when the world is the dust ball formerly known as earth, the Bible will be as relevant and authoritative as it was when it was written.

The Pharisees were really good at picking out what parts of Scripture they liked, and what parts to ignore. Jesus' strongest words were towards those who would dare do such a thing with the statements of His Father, and try to pass themselves off as true believers.

They were the first to tell you they knew God, but they were also the first to 'cross out' the uncomfortable parts of Scripture.

Are there verses in the Bible that make you uncomfortable? Many people have a mental marker when they read the Bible, and as soon as the sword of the Spirit slices into their spiritual mediocrity, the pen starts flying.

What does a marker look like? It's in your brain, and the ink comes in the form of thoughts like:

    * "Well, I'm glad that verse doesn't apply to me"
    * "I don't think the pastor translated that passage correctly"
    * "That command was only meant for the people back then"
    * "There is no way that God expects me to obey that"

Perhaps it's time to put down the permanent marker and open praying hands to God. The Bible is the ultimate truth in the universe; it is the final authority for thoughts and behavior. It is applicable in all places for all situations in all time periods. Rejecting Scripture is like pushing away a lifesaver after it has been thrown to you. Apply the Book of Books, and you will have best of life.

[Soldier4Christ]

You Don't Know Prayer



    "Pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17)

    One Sunday in a Midwest city a young child was "acting up" during the morning worship hour. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the foyer the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"

For most believers, our time in prayer is directly proportionate to our need for help. We ask God not to abandon us in our times of trouble. This is definitely not a bad thing! Yet we must also remember that prayer was not meant to be simply a 911 call to the heavenly throne. Prayer was designed to be a 24/7 activity, because there are no moments in our lives when we don't desperately need God's continuous keeping. If we are living in the light or stumbling in the shadows, we require communion with the Savior. The phrase that must be on the tip of our prayerful tongue is this: "Forget me not, O Lord".

Why? Let me illustrate:

    * The bright lights of happiness distract me from you: forget me not, O Lord
    * The schemes of the enemy are just around the corner: forget me not, O Lord
    * The sorrow of circumstances tempts me to complain: forget me not, O Lord
    * The pangs of guilt convince me that I cannot be forgiven: forget me not, O Lord
    * When my faith is strong I may presume overconfidence, when my faith is weak I may overlook Your strength: forget me not, O Lord

Our paths are full of sinful snares and tempting traps. Our relationships are populated with struggling believers and hell-bound sinners. No wonder Paul reminds us to 'pray without ceasing', because stopping our prayer is like dropping our guard. The minute we close the door to the span of heaven, we open the gate to the pit of hell.

So how do we pray without ceasing? The bottom line is to maintain a constant awareness of Jesus. Picture the Ancient of Days abiding by your side every moment of your day and evening. Talk to Him about your joys and your sorrows, your anger and your peace. Relate to Him the situation with your friends and family, your school and work. He is more ready to listen than you are to speak. He is the friend that 'sticks closer than a brother' (Prov. 18:24)

[Soldier4Christ]

S.O.S.!



    Some have strayed concerning the faith. (1 Timothy 6:21)

In the early part of this century, an American ship was wrecked off the Sicily Isles near the coast of England. The sea had been calm and the weather clear, but the vessel was caught in a treacherous current that slowly lured it off its course. Before the captain and the crew realized what had happened, the ship had crashed into the rocks.

The Christian life is much like a journey on a ship. Everyday, powerful currents of compromise can catch the soul and carry it to shipwreck. It may be the movies we watch, the friends we choose, or simple indifference to the walk to which God has called us. Spiritual drifting is usually a slow and imperceptible process. It starts slowly; like lacking in our prayer life, putting off our Bible readings, skipping church, or giving up on our obedience. However, after time, we know it has occurred when we have lost the resistance to evil and the passionate desire for truth that we once knew. Before you even realize it, you drift off course and you are headed in a perilous direction. You wake up one day and the need to serve the Savior disappeared like the morning fog being burned off by the sun.

The apostle Paul wanted to make sure this wouldn't happen to the Christians in his world. He had seen it happen. There were friends who swore allegiance to Christ at the beginning but for whatever reason, they joined the worldly crowd and ditched their faith. He encouraged Timothy to be faithful in telling others how to stay on course with Christ so they wouldn't stray from their devotion and cause their faith to be shipwrecked.

How about us? Have we become so comfortable in our Christian life that we have lost the fear of crashing on the rocks of compromise? Perhaps it is time to look heavenward and see if we are following the course laid out for us by the Captain of our salvation: Jesus Christ.

Look sharp students! The winds of sin can blow you into a fatal shipwreck that will leave you stranded forever. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and plot your life on the compass of God's Word. Remember, we must give careful attention to our devotion to Christ so that we don't get caught in a drift.