Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

The Secret To Happiness

A recent Calvin and Hobbes cartoon...

    Calvin: "I've found the secret to serenity and inner peace."

    Hobbes: looking very serious and interested.

    Calvin: "I've come to the realisation that the world revolves around me. Everyone else will feel a whole lot more serene once they recognize that!"

We may not admit it very often, but most of think a lot like Calvin. We can't help it. It's just in our nature. After all, it seems logical that there would be a lot less personal conflict and a lot more happiness in our lives if folks just realized our importance and wisdom when it comes to life!

That's just what Satan thought right before he was kicked out of heaven. The funny thing was that almost everything and everybody in the universe did revolve around him...everything except the Throne of God- and everyone except God Himself. Here's the Biblical press release on the whole affair:

    You were the perfection of wisdom and beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God. Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone--red carnelian, chrysolite, white moonstone, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald--all beautifully crafted for you and set in the finest gold. They were given to you on the day you were created. I ordained and anointed you as the mighty angelic guardian. You had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire. "You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you. Your great wealth filled you with violence, and you sinned. So I banished you from the mountain of God. I expelled you, O mighty guardian, from your place among the stones of fire. Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings. (Ezekiel 28:12-17 NLT)

Apparently Satan had it all: the looks, the money, the clothes, and the power of the highest position in the universe- second only to the Creator of the Universe. Yet all that he had was still not enough. Like many of us, instead of finding contentment in the abundance of his present circumstances- he deceived himself into thinking that serenity and peace would only be found in possessing something he didn't have. Only in his case it meant taking on God- and obviously that's not a very effective plan.

Wait just a minute though- before you consider the foolishness of Satan in fighting God for the Throne of the universe- look at the person in the mirror! Perhaps it's not quite as 'in Your face' as he was- but it's still the same old song and dance: I'm in control, not God.

Selfishness and pride. Where did we ever get the stupid idea that getting our way all the time would make us happy? Oh I remember now- from the same person we just talked about: Satan. He had to be pretty upset about being 'fired' by God, and now he'd like to see as many people as possible share in his misery.

The heart of Christianity is an upside philosophy of life. It is about seeing the universe revolving around Jesus, and making sure things go God's way instead of your own.

Do you really want the secret to serenity and inner peace? It's actually no secret, because Christ gave it away over 2000 years ago, and I'll gladly share it with you now:

    "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full' you find yourselves cared for. You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. Not only that--count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens--give a cheer, even!-for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble." (Matthew 5:3-12, The Message)

I told you it was upside down, because Jesus' words here go against everything the world (and even your heart) tells you about being happy. Yet I think I'm going to get my instructions for life from the One who gave us life in the first place.

Bottom line- happiness in life is found in being 'others-ish' instead of selfish, and I would dare you to prove me wrong.

This week, try something completely different. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, take a homeless person out to lunch, spend some time talking to folks at a retirement home, share the message of the gospel with your friends instead of the usual laundry list of problems, read Matthew 5:3-12 so many times that you feel as though you wrote it yourself. Just do something to save yourself from yourself before it is too late!

[Soldier4Christ]

Jesus In The House

Once there was an elderly carpenter was ready to retire. One day he told his boss of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family.

Of course he would miss the steady paycheck, but it was time to slow down and take life a little easier. They had very little to retire on, but they would somehow manage.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was just not behind the effort. He resorted to sloppy workmanship and used low-grade materials.

When the carpenter finished his work, the boss came to inspect the house. After the inspection, he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said:

    "this house is my gift to you."

The carpenter was shocked! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

Wouldn't you? Or perhaps not.

In case no one has ever told you, you are busy building a house right now. You were busy the day before, the week before, and the year before that.

Not a real house of course, rather you are constructing the 'home' of your life. Here's the way that Jesus explains it:

    "These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit--but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards." (Matthew 7:24-27)

Back in 'the day' (Jesus' day that is), people had but a few choices when it came to the location of their 'dream' hut. One could be smart and go with a base of rock, or one could be foolish and go with Mr. Sandman Carpentry.

The funny thing was that whichever place the house was built didn't really matter that much...that is until a storm came. At that point the true strength of the structure showed up. The one built on the foundation of rock could stand up to whatever nature brought on. The home in the sandbox would go down like a house of cards.

The point Jesus is trying to make is that you basically only have two choices as well: build your life on the Rock of Christ, or put it together on the shifting sand of anything else besides Him.

I know some of you out there might be thinking:

    "Well, I've got it covered, I know the Bible inside and out."

Sorry, but if that's your theory- you've got sand in your eyes.

What Jesus is saying is that you must go way beyond just knowing His words...you must also put them into practice.

You know- like treating others the way you'd like to be treated, loving your enemies, turning the other cheek, making disciples of all nations- just to name a few.

When you practice His teachings, you build a solid house with quality materials that will hold up to the storms of life. If you only know His words and don't practice them, you are building a house on sand with just a view of the Rock.

This week, I would challenge you to check your work. Can you count on one hand how many times you have applied Jesus' teachings in recent history? If so, I would trash my blueprints for life and start over by reading the Gospels. This will take some time- but you will sure be glad you did the next time life throws you a storm!

[Soldier4Christ]

Look Familiar?

There's just something about Wile E. Coyote that you have to love. Remember him? He's the coyote in the Roadrunner cartoons who is forever trying to catch that lightning fast bird through whatever means possible. Growing up, I never ceased to be amused at the ingenious plans he would come up with in the hunt. With all the money he spent on Acme products, you would think he could have purchased a flock of Roadrunners! But perhaps the whole point wasn't about getting the bird. In my mind, the appeal of the cartoon was the chase. After all, how much fun would it have been to see Wile E. Coyote catch and eat the Roadrunner? I'm pretty sure that would have been the final episode.

What do we humans find so intriguing about 'the chase'? I personally think that it is in our very nature to pursue things with the reckless abandon of a half-crazed coyote- the question is: what is the object of our pursuit?

I suppose the answer to that question varies greatly depending on your age. When you are a teenager, it's usually it's the dating chase- or whatever you would call trying to fit in and succeed at social interactions. Then you 'grow up', and you pursue family, careers, money- or whatever you would call trying to fit in and succeed at making yourself 'happy'.

Did you ever want to climb in the T.V. and tell Wile E. Coyote that he was an idiot and he would never catch the Roadrunner? I did. As funny as his miscues were, I still felt kinda sorry for that determined doggy, because he would never in a million years complete his hunt.

And neither will you...if you are after the things that most people chase. Things like happiness and fulfillment are quicker and more elusive than the Roadrunner- and do we ever look foolish to God when we keep trying to set up elaborate schemes to reel them into our lives.

I think sometimes God wants to climb into our lives and tell us that we are idiots and we will never catch those things. They are traps set up by the devil so he can catch us!

You know that feeling inside that says you need something more out of this life? That's the still small voice of God, saying:

    "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7)

Yes, God designed us to pursue, but not things on earth. We have a built in "God-homing" device- and no amount of cash, toys, thrills, or people can fit the bill on this one. Everybody wants to feel O.K.- but to really achieve that, you're going to have to go back to the source.

This is how Jesus put it:

    But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33)

Seek. Pursue. Chase. Hunt. Be a 'God-stalker'. Search for Him first, and you will find that the appeal of all those silly Roadrunners will go away. You'll see them run off into the sunset, but you really won't care- because Christ has given you everything you need.

Start with His Word. Dig deeper into your reading, and start spending quiet moments where you are doing nothing but reflecting on Him. What you'll discover is that only makes the chase even more appealing, because when you taste and see that the Lord is good- everything else in life will probably have the appeal of chewing on chalk. Happy hunting!

[Soldier4Christ]

Pig Out!

It hasn't been often, but there have been a few times when I have been called a pig. Not so much for poor bathing behaviors- rather the condition of my room, my car, etc. I guess the logic behind it was that since my immediate surroundings lacked, shall we say, "organizational structure"- (i.e. it looked like a pig pen) - then naturally I must be the pig who was responsible. Those of you out there who also suffer from being "orderly challenged" can understand. It's not so much that we hate things being tidy, it's just that our life motto isn't "a place for everything, and everything in its place"...or something like that.

Either way, being called a pig is a definite wake up call, because no one wants to be associated with those dirty, disgusting animals...

Actually I can think of many animals that are worse than pigs, because did you know that our Porky friends are actually quite clean and intelligent? Not only that, but man can they bring home the bacon!

At the risk of hogging up too much of your time, I actually do have a point. Remember the guy in the Bible who started rich and ended up with the razorbacks? Here's the full story that Jesus told:

    Then he said, "There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, "Father, I want right now what's coming to me.' "So the father divided the property between them. It wasn't long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any. "That brought him to his senses. He said, "All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.' He got right up and went home to his father. "When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: "Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.' "But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, "Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here--given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time. (Luke 15:11-24)

The funny thing about this story is that it took a pig pen experience to bring this poor fellow to his senses. He thought his home was boring, his parents too strict, his chores too hard, and his life too short to not have all the fun he could as soon as he could. I'm sure he'd often be overheard saying something like: "dude- living at home is like such a drag. I can't wait until I'm outta here and have my freedom!"

So he got his freedom, and pretty soon after he'd often be overheard saying: "oink...oink oink"- because all his party loving friends left about the same time as his money. I guess someone should have told him he would 'sow' what he reaped.

That story should be a constant reminder that the pig pen is only a few decisions away. If you've been there you know what I mean- and you never want to go back. If you've never been in the swine service before, I don't recommend it. Maybe you think things are tough because you can't party like the unsaved do? Or perhaps you think the grass is greener in the world of the unsaved? I've got one word for you...oink. If you think that there is a better path in life than the life of Christ, you've got another corncob coming.

So where are you today?

If your desire is to go and try the world out, wait until God opens the door for you. He has the perfect plan, but you must be patient...and I guarantee His way will not leave you huddled with the hogs.

If you are headed down warthog way in your lifestyle- turn around! Your heavenly Father is waiting with open arms at anytime.

Here's a message from God to you - no matter where you are right now:

    "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you"

Maybe today is the day you need to decide to "pig out"!

[Soldier4Christ]

Test for Echo

The way it was told to me went something like this:

    One fine spring day a father and his young son decide to go on a scenic hike in the majestic mountains near their home.

    After they had gotten up the trail a bit, the father began to tire out a bit, so the son walked on ahead- but he wasn't watching the trail too well, so he falls, hurts himself, and yells: "owwwwwwwie!"

    To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "owwwwwwwie!"

    Thinking it was someone making fun of him, he yells: "Who are you?"

    He receives the answer: "Who are you?"

    Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"

    He receives the answer: "Coward!"

    He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"

    The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention." And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"

    The voice answers: "I admire you!"

    Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"

    The voice answers: "You are a champion!"

    Now the boy is completely surprised and very confused.

    Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do.

So what is your echo giving you these days? Or perhaps you have forgotten that this really is how life oftentimes works.

Think back on the last time you had a pretty rotten day, or even a good day for that matter. I'm willing to wager that many of the determining factors behind either one of those days had to do with what you were "shouting" at the mountains of circumstances around you. For whatever reason, you decided to portray a preponderance of nasty negativity in your words, attitudes, and actions- then suddenly you are surprised that it came back around like a battering boomerang.

No, I'm not talking about some silly notion like "Biblical karma"...what I'm trying to point out is the supreme importance of self-awareness as to how your behavior affects your life both in short and long run.

The Apostle Paul put it like this:

    Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. (Galatians 6:7-8)

God wants us to serve Him every moment of every day, because when we start living just to please ourselves- life can shout back some pretty nasty things.

The other issue is that we often try to fix our problems by trying to change the circumstances around us. That's pretty much like trying to change an echo by moving a mountain...not gonna happen.

Next time try changing yourself first. Start out each day by pouring positive prayers and adding affirmative actions into your day- you may be pleasantly surprised at what God allows to echo back.

[Soldier4Christ]

Is Your Life A Mad Dash?

How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone. (James 4:14)
The Dash - written by Linda Ellis

I read of a pastor who stood to speak
At the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth,
And spoke of the second date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that dash is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters most is how we live,
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long & hard,
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know what time is left.
You could be at "dash, mid-range."

If we could just slow down enough,
To see what's true & real.
And always try to understand
The way that others feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile,
Keeping in mind this special dash
Might last but a little while.

So when your eulogy's being read,
Your life's actions to rehash,
Would you smile at the things being said
About how you spent your dash?

[Soldier4Christ]

How Much Am I Worth?



    Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)

How many times are we 'down in the dumps' and feeling pretty worthless because of circumstances beyond our control? Life can sometimes be unbeatable, but other times it gives us a 'beatdown'.

Perhaps this week you know exactly what I mean.

Good thing our worth isn't based on our circumstances or behavior, if it were I would have zero hope. Check out this story and see if speaks to your heart.

    A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

    Hands started going up.

    He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first let me do this."

    He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.

    "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty.

    "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

    "My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

    Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him. Psalm 17:8 states that God will keep us 'as the apple of His eye.'"

    The worth of our lives come not in what we do or who we are, but by WHOSE WE ARE!

[Soldier4Christ]

It's About Time



    After all, we didn't bring anything with us when we came into this world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die. (I Timothy 6:7)

My theory is that most people spend most of their time sweating over things that won't really matter when all is said and done.

You've probably heard the one about the up-and-coming entrepreneur who was opening the door of his sleek new Jaguar when a truck roared by, hit it, and ripped it off its hinges. The police arrived at the scene quickly and found the man jumping up and down in the street. He was shrieking to anyone who would listen about the horrible damage done to his precious automobile.

    "You wheeler-dealers are all so materialistic!" began the investigating officer, shaking his head in bewilderment. "You make me sick."

    "What's your problem?" the driver snapped.

    "You're so worried about your precious Jag," said the cop, "that you appear not to have noticed that your left arm was ripped off!"

    "Oh, no!" bellowed the guy as he looked down at the grisly stump where his arm had been a few minutes before. "Where's my Rolex?"

    When one of us gets where my friend is who was told this week that he likely has less than six months to live, he or she will focus intensely on the things that really matter in life. There will be far less concern about the newest electronic gadget, a bigger house, liposuction, a luxury car, or some other inconsequential indulgence. In fact, I doubt that a one of those items will come to mind at all.

    When your time on Planet Earth is about to end and you are reflecting on how your one-time trip through life has worked out, you'll think about and reach for the people who are most important to you. And you will think about what happens after you have taken your last breath. These are the really important things -- -- as opposed to burning yourself out at a job, neglecting your family and friends, and pushing spiritual concerns to the fringe of your life.

    Being responsible and working hard are good things. And there is nothing wrong with enjoying the fruits of honest labor. Yet the Bible cautions us to remember that we came into the world without a company, portfolio, or fortune -- and will leave it the same way.

    So the smart thing is to major in what will matter at the end and not to fritter away your life with what cannot go into eternity.

    From: The FAX of Life, Dr. Rubel Shelly

So how is your summer shaping up? Is it turning out to be a 2002 trivial pursuit for the darker tan, the better car, the louder stereo, or the longest party? As someone once said: "each day is a gift, that's why it is called the present...". Take some time this week to evaluate the priorities of your life. A good place to start would be the level of your love for God and for your neighbors. If those two bases are covered, then you're off to a great start with investing in eternity.

[Soldier4Christ]

Got Challenges?



    I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (II Timothy 4:7)

There is a famous shoe company who's motto is: Just Do It!

Well maybe that works in the sports arena, but it gets a little tougher when it comes to life. It seems like sometimes the older we get, the more cynical we become towards life. That's exactly what Satan would want! The devil throws disappointment our way for that very reason. He doesn't need to turn us into satanists, just get us whiney, weepy, and wimpy. So here is a reminder of a different kind of life motto: "Just Do It Anyway"

    People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
    Love them anyway.

    If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
    Do good anyway.

    If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
    Succeed anyway.

    The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
    Do good anyway.

    Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
    Be honest and frank anyway.

    The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds.
    Think big anyway.

    People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
    Fight for the underdog anyway.

    What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
    Build anyway.

    People really need help, but may attack you if you help them.
    Help people anyway.

    Give the world the best you've got and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
    Give the world the best you've got anyway.

[Soldier4Christ]

Game On With God



    And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. (Romans 12:1-3)

    A young teenager named Cody went on a mission venture to Ethiopia. While there he was exposed to poverty conditions he never knew existed. On one occasion, a little boy tugged on his shirt evidently indicating that he wanted the t-shirt which Cody was wearing.

    Cody gently turned him away and kept his shirt. He returned to the States and began to reflect upon the trip. The face of the little boy would not leave his memory. Nor would his t-shirt.

    Cody began a campaign to collect t-shirts to send to the poverty-stricken country. He made calls, knocked on doors, and eventually had a whopping 18,000 t-shirts of which 10,000 were usable.

    CNN called after hearing of his efforts and reported that they had discovered a relief plane to ship the shirts free of charge--but they could not guarantee where they would end up.

    The relief agency used a jet and flew into a country not requiring a customs inspection--you guessed it--Ethiopia. The recipients were ecstatic. So was Cody.

    ("Vision-It's The Tool of The Spirit." Adapted from John Ortberg, www.willowcreek.org.)

Most likely you have never had an experience like Cody, but it is important to remember that we all have a calling to make a difference in the world. You may not know it, but the God of the universe desires to use you in amazing ways. The issue is whether you will allow Him to do so. Let me suggest a three ways you can get started down this incredible path:

   1. First thing when you get up, ask God to use you that day to advance His kingdom. It's really that simple!
   2. Keep a journal or take mental notes of how you are seeing that prayer answered each day.
   3. Put together a 'world changer' notebook where you brainstorm ideas on how to use your life for His glory. Remember that if you aim at nothing, you'll hit it everytime.

If you daily offer your life as a living sacrifice, God will not let you down!

[Soldier4Christ]

Spiritual Superbowl



    The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. (Galatians 5:17-NLT)

This past Sunday, a football match-up took place in New Orleans - but of course you knew that. The Super Bowl was broadcast in hundreds of countries in dozens of languages to millions of people. Let me ask you something: if you were a starter in last Sunday's game, would you have been nervous? Would it motivate you to play your best knowing that you are on worldwide television? I'm guessing the answer is yes.

If I were playing in front of that many people, my head would definitely be 'in the game'. I would dedicate every precious second of those sixty minutes to completely excel in my performance.

As Christians, we are in a "superbowl" of sorts everyday. Let me give you the line-up:

On the home field is the 'Sin Nature' team. The player roster goes like this:

    sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. (Galatians 5:20-21)

They have the home field advantage because we live in the world. Their coach is none other than Satan himself, with a host of assistants called demons.

The visiting team is the "New Nature". Their player roster goes like this:

    love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

They are the visiting team because they come from a different world: heaven. Their coach is none other than God Himself, with a host of assistants called angels.

Every minute of every day these two forces engage in battle inside each and every Christian. Every choice you make, thought you think, and word you say scores points for one of the two teams. This battle will continue until we leave this earth through death or Christ's return.

Perhaps you have believed that this is a private battle going on inside you, but I have news for you: it's not. Our struggle against our sin natures is being broadcast to the entire spiritual world. Check this out:

    Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. (Hebrews 12:1)

In other words, even though our new nature is the visiting team, we still have a crowd of saints and angels cheering for us to defeat our sin nature. Can you hear what they are saying?

    "Don't give up- it's worth the fight!"
    "I know what you've gone through, you can make it!"
    "Don't fear the enemy, God is with you!"

I know I'm highly motivated to win my own personal 'superbowl', because my reward isn't some polished up pigskin; it's a smile on my Savior's face.

[Soldier4Christ]

Christians Of Courage And Compassion



    In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise-- in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 56:10-11)

On September 11, a man named Todd Beamer boarded flight 93. The majority of people in America had never heard this name before, but after that day his notoriety has grown considerably. Did he write a hit pop single? Did he produce a groundbreaking video? Did he write an amazing best seller? Actually, Todd Beamer did none of these things, but his actions far surpassed all musician, producer, and author's works combined.

Flight 93 was supposed to be the fourth plane used as a devastating weapon against our nation. The smallest flight to be hijacked with only 45 people aboard out of a possible 289 had 84% of its capacity unused. Yet these people stood up to the attackers and thwarted a fourth attempted destruction of a national landmark, saving untold numbers of lives in the process. One of those people was Todd Beamer- a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. Moments before he and the other passengers rallied against the hijackers, he prayed Psalm 23 with a phone operator, and his last words were: "are you ready? Let's roll!"

Todd Beamer gave his life so that other lives could be saved. His faith in Christ and his assurance that he would be in heaven gave him the tremendous courage it took to accomplish his heroic acts.

In Acts 6 and 7, we read about a man of God named Stephen. He was full of faith, power, and conviction. He was brought before the Jewish ruling council on trumped-up charges and allowed to make a statement. Stephen, however, decided to play a different role. Rather than allowing it to be a setup for him, he turned into a powerful condemnation of the religious leaders. They despised him and his message, so they dragged him out of Jerusalem and stoned him. Stephen fell to his knees and prayed for his killers. The way he died spoke as eloquently as his sermon.

These men should serve as an amazing example to us. We are called to be people of conviction, standing tall for Christ and serving Him fearlessly. Be prepared believer- you never know what day you may be called on to offer yourself for His glory.

[Soldier4Christ]

Summertime Blues

You've probably never heard of some guy named Milovan Djilas. Let me tell you a little bit about him. At one time he was one of Yugoslavia's top Marxists. When he was in his early 20's, he was thrown in jail for anti-government activities. Milovan was so committed to his cause that he took on the repulsive task of smuggling party literature through the prison sewer system! He was willing to perform such duty, he says, because "no job is dirty, low, or inconsequential." Isn't it amazing that an unbeliever serving a temporary cause could be so committed? What does that say about the children of God, who serve a risen Savior, and whose cause is for eternity?

Perhaps at this time of year you are taking on 'summer jobs'. For many students, these employment opportunities are usually limited to positions that wouldn't be their first career choice. At first, you may be thinking: "bummer, I'm stuck in this job all summer. I'm going to die of boredom!" Yet I would encourage you to have a similar attitude as Milovan. Whether he was in a job he really liked, or in the corner of a nasty prison cell made no difference to him- he was singularly focused on spreading his own 'good news'. In the same way, you have an amazing opportunity this summer to share your faith in ways that would be difficult during the school year. You are undistracted by studies, and you probably have more free time. Daylight is longer, and the weather is better. Go ahead and make spending cash, get a tan, and dish out unbelievable bucks for gas and entertainment- that's what summer is for! Yet don't forget to use your time wisely to share your faith.

Milovan crawled through sewer systems for a man he didn't know and for a cause that makes zero difference for eternity. Would you be willing to have a godly attitude at your summer job for the cause of Christ and share the everlasting gospel? The salary may be low for three months, but the rewards will be priceless for infinity.

[Soldier4Christ]

Chasing The Wind



    "Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:3)

If someone asked you "what is the goal of life?"- how would you respond? Some might say that life is meaningless, so why even set goals? Deeper thinkers might respond by claiming that the goal of life is found in understanding what gives life meaning, and once that is grasped, the meaning of life becomes accomplishing that goal.

Everyday we are bombarded with the message which says that the goal of life is personal pleasure. If we take on that goal, then self-gratification becomes the driving force that gives our life meaning. At that point it is easy to take on the mentality that says: "We want everything that life has to offer and we want it now!"

However, if personal pleasure is what gives our life meaning, then life without consistent pleasure is meaningless. Our culture is obsessed with entertainment, famous people, sports, money, sex, cars, drugs, power, and anything else that will (theoretically) give us great personal pleasure. When we allow personal pleasure to be our focus in life, we end up with a shallow and lonely life that falls apart when we discover that the shiny happiness coins of life eventually lose their luster. Those who follow the self-gratification path are like castaways on an island drinking seawater to quench their thirst.

If you don't believe it, then check out the suicide rate of the rich and famous!

As Christians our goal in life is simple: to love God and enjoy Him forever. God set up life in such a way that the paths apart from Him are a sure way to a meaningless and wasted life.

Conclusion? We must share what gives our life meaning with others. We must demonstrate by word and deed that there is more to this life than the simple pursuit of pleasure. People need to know that they can find a goal in life that is outside of themselves, an everlasting purpose that transcends what the world has to offer. Jesus put it this way:

    "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done." (Matt. 16:26-27)

Most teenagers have an idea of what they want to be when they grow up- which is a positive thing. Yet don't forget that God wants to be the center of our goals and dreams. He gave His life so that we could live the way it was intended to be. In fact:

    "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." (I Cor. 2:9)

What tends to happen is that we forget about God and pursue our own way without Him. We chase the temporary toys and lose our eternal reward. Yet remember that God Himself lives within us through the Holy Spirit. When we try to live life without tapping into our infinite resource, we end up chasing the wind.
Let's get practical for a moment:

For those who would be doctors, what good is it to save a man from sickness and see him healed, only to die later and spend an eternity in hell? What point is there in building computers so that people can have better communication, if they never hear about the importance of the soul's place in the hereafter? What good is it to build homes for families in this life, if in the next they will live in outer darkness? How pointless is it for a teacher to teach young men and women how to succeed in this life, if they fail the test in the next? If you become a famous musician, how futile is it to create music that makes them feel alive, and not share in truth that they are dead in sin? It is foolish to live a lifetime never tapping into our personal relationship with God and to never share the most valuable life saving information in the universe.

Chase your dreams and set your goals, but don't forget that the Author of dreams has a goal for you as well.

[Soldier4Christ]

New Year's Riskolutions



    1 The LORD said to Moses,
    2 "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders."
    3 So at the LORD's command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites...

    25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
    26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land.
    27 They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit.
    28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there...

    31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."
    32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.
    33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."

    Numbers 13 (selected verses)

New Year's Resolutions- who ever invented them anyway? For most people, they are just another way to make grand promises that will not be kept.

    Dear Diary,

    This year, I promise that I will:

    Journal everyday
    Lose weight
    Stop smoking
    Get in shape
    Read my Bible and pray

Is that because we set our goals too high? Or could it be that we never really wanted to keep those promises in the first place? No matter, the point being that most New Year's resolutions bite the dust inside a month.

The ancient Israelites had a New Year's opportunity of sorts. God opened the way for them to take possession of the Promised Land and make His name great in the world. A once in a lifetime opportunity for a new start in a fresh land to grow a godly nation. Unfortunately, Israel made a different resolution:

    That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them,

    "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?"

    And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt." (Num 14:1-4)

To them, this "New Year" opportunity was too scary, too risky, and altogether impossible. So they resolved to stay in their little world and miss out on God's amazing promised land.

Bottom line: God is not asking for resolutions, He wants "riskolutions". Going into the Promised Land would be difficult and risky, but the results would be well worth the cost. Staying in the desert would be easier and safer, but the results would be zero impact for God's glory.

I propose that you offer God not a New Year's resolution, but a "riskolution". Resolutions fade with time and are forgotten, riskolutions grow with God's power and make an eternal impact. Take advantage of this New Year's opportunity to offer your life as a living sacrifice to be used for His glory. Declare unashamedly to Him today that you will serve Him, even if there are giants in the Promised Land.

To play it safe with God is to be sorry in life