Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  Take Up Your Cross

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:38-39.

I had a really hard day the other day. Some of my friends did not agree with a decision I had made and they were angry with me.  I felt sad because I wanted to have their approval. I did not intend to make anyone mad or upset anyone.  The decision I had made was based on what I believed God was telling me to do.  Then why weren’t my friends cheering me on?

As I wondered about that I looked out my front door.  At first, I thought I was dreaming.  My eyes could scarcely take it in, let alone my brain process it.  I saw a man walking down the road in front of my house, carrying on his back, a big wooden cross.  The cross had small wheels on the bottom, for easy mobility.  I quickly got my camera and ran out my front door and I snapped a picture of this strange man. 

By now his back was to me and he was getting away, down the road.  I was too afraid to say anything to him.  I didn’t want to ruin the moment, his actions were speaking to me louder than anything he could ever say.  But then I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Take up your cross and follow me.”

I knew it was God comforting me that very moment and giving me instruction on what I was to do next.  Not change my decision even if no one agreed and everyone was angry.  I needed to please God and not people, even my friends.


I do not know who that man was, I thought it might be an angel. A friend told me that she had seen him in a near by city before.  Whoever it was, God used to speak to me right where I was at.

“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?  For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s and of the holy angels.”  Luke 9:23-26

Is there anything God is speaking to you about?  Are God led decisions you are making, getting others angry?  It is hard to go against the crowd.  Do it anyway.  Do what God is telling you to do.  Don’t worry about your life, what others think  of you or if they are happy with you.  Then you will be carrying your cross and following Him.  And God says, then, you will find your life.  It is Freedom! 

I dare you, take up your cross and follow Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Flying

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are…valuable to him.  Luke 12:7

Have you ever had the chance to fly?  I got the opportunity to do so four times this past weekend (if you count layovers) and I fell in love with it all over again.  I absolutely love the feeling of take-off; one moment you are on the ground sitting as comfortably as possible in your stuffed seat and the next you are being thrust back into your seat as you lift off of the ground. 

As you continue your assent, you are able to see for miles and the buildings and cars fade into oblivion.  This really puts things into perspective.  The higher you are off the ground, the more insignificant everything seems.  To know that God created it all and still cares about me, not even a dot when looking down from a plane, is an awesome realization.

God created everything, and He still manages to care about the minor problems of our day-to-day life.  Don’t forget that he loves you even when everything seems to be falling down around you.  He holds up the universe, but you are the most important thing to Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Are You Just 'Playing' the Role?

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example , that you should follow in His steps. 1 Peter 2:21

Who are some of your role models? Maybe they are people who have accomplished great things. Maybe they are people who have godly attributes. Maybe they are people with extraordinary talent. For what ever reason they are your role model , you look up to them. Everybody in some point of their life has a role model. We notice something amazing someone else has done and we want to aspire to be like them. Did you ever stop to think that you could be a role model in someone else’s life? I know for me that’s a scary thought. But whether you realize it or not people are watching you. Watching how you live your life, watching how you handle life’s up’s and down’s. People are watching how you live. What do you want them to see?

I’m the oldest of 5 kids. The ages go from 3 to 16. I have two sisters one who is 3 and one who is 7, and two brothers, one 9, and the other 16. They are all crazy little dudes, but the coolest none the less. Something that scares me the most is that my little siblings, especially my sisters, look up to me. They are always watching what I’m doing, they started to wear makeup and carry purses around the house. Scares me sometimes to think that they look up to me. I need to keep in mind that the way I live is going to set an extreme example on my little siblings. Do you remember when you were little , and there was some really cool older person in your life, and you just thought they were the coolest? They could drive, they had a job, an awesome bike and could stay up later than 9 pm. You thought they were amazing. You copied them, wanting to be just like them when you grew up. Same way someone might be looking up to you.

As Christians our number one role model should be Jesus Christ. He should be viewed not only as our Savior , but as our guide post on how to live. Jesus was perfect in every way, we as humans cannot be perfect ,by no means. But He set an example to be followed. The Bible tells us to set a right example, Romans 13:13-14, "Let us behave decently..not in drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do no think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." As humans sometimes our sinful nature kicks in. Whether you have a weakness for alcohol, drugs, sex, gossip, jealousy ..or whatever it may be we need to remember who we are representing. Do you want young people who look up to you see you partying all a lot and want to do that also? Do you want them to be able to justify their actions because of the example you are setting? Your actions and choices in life not only effect you alone, they effect those around you. People who are close to you, people that love you, people that look up to you. Don’t’ just play the role in being a role model, by going through the motions, actually be that role model that you can be proud of being. Clothe yourself in Christ, that way people will see who and what you stand for. Sinful desires are empty and could cause someone else to fall. Don’t be that foot tripping those around you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Pure Joy


Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3

There is an amazing year out there for you, I can feel it.  God has done such much in your life thus far, I know it.  Today, sit back, and think of where you have come, where you are, and where you are going.  I know this year will hold much heartache, as well as joy.  I want to point you all to the source of our joy in struggles.  We have a wellspring of joy, no matter where we are, what we have done, or who we are.

I write this on Christmas Day.  The presents have been opened.  The breakfast eaten. I escaped to my room, and read one of my presents.  Max Lucado has been a profound influence on my life.  In the Grip of Grace changed my life.  The book that I read, simply called, the cross. 

Alone I sat in my room, tears streaming down my face.  Joy, overwhelming was mine. I want to share an excerpt from that book with you.  Read it slow, and let the words sink deep into your soul.  Take courage from the peace you can find.

"The final prayer of Jesus was about you.  His final pain was for you.  His final passion was you...Never had he felt so alone...And God couldn't turn his back on you.  He couldn't because he saw you, and one look at you was all it took to convince him...He wanted you to know that he has been there, too...He knows what it's like to be confused.  He knows what it's like to be torn between two desires."

This is not all that I read, much is missing, for it is a long book.  If you get the time, I strongly recommend this book.  It was terribly moving. I hope you take courage, and strength, in the fact that Christ knows your pain.  He knows your loneliness. He loves you more than life itself, and he proved that. This year, when things go wrong. When your life is falling apart. Remember. Remember his pain, and his overwhelming love for you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  We Can't Run and We Can't Hide

But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23

Have you ever been in a circumstance where you had done something that went against God's teaching in His Word and thought, "well, maybe I will just not think,  or worry about it."  Perhaps God didn't see that one and I'll get off easy.  Well, God will dispels that mythical thinking for you with the above verse.  God is both omniscient and omnipresent, which means simply that He is everywhere and knows everything.

So what is the writer referring to in the first part of the verse?  It is about being obedient to God.  When we fail to do that, we are sinning against Him.  In fact, any sin, no matter who it is against, is a sin against God himself.  That is why He is so explicit in this verse.  Hiding from our sin will never help us, or the other party, if one is involved.

So, what are we to do then?  The book of James tells us first to pray ("Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray" 5:13), to confess it ("Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed" 5:16) and we will then be reconciled ("If he has sinned, he will be forgiven" 5:16), both to God and an injured party if that's the case.

So then, what is the lesson for us, here?  First, don't sin.  Second, if we do sin, we ought pray about it.  Third, we don't hide from it.  Fourth, we should confess it to God.  And lastly, if we do confess our sin, we will be forgiven, which will then open the door for reconciliation for us.  If is an area that you struggle with, I encourage you to pray about it.  Take some time with God to search your self and if there is any unconfessed sin in your life, and then deal with it.  Make things right with the Lord, because when you do, you will know that peace that passes all understanding:  "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7

[Soldier4Christ]

  Don't Miss Your Destiny for Anyone

So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men, that same day together. 1 Samuel 31:6

Here a story of Saul, Jonathan and David. Saul is Jonathan father. David is a friend of Jonathan. Jonathan had a conflict. He was a friend of David but his father hated David. He hated David because he was God anointed and was going to be the next king. Saul didn’t like that idea so he attempted to kill David. Saul time and reign was coming to an end and the anointing has left him. Jonathan is torn between standing by the side of his father and being a friend to David. Imagine with me for a moment you are in this situation. You love your father and you appreciate everything he has done for you but you hate who he is and what he has become. His behavior is out of control. You love your father but you also love your friend as well that your father hate. What would you do? Which side would you take? Jonathan is caught in a conflict. Jonathan knew David was God anointed and will be king. Saul even attempted to kill his Jonathan at one time. One thing that stood out to me is that Jonathan recognizes that David is the future but he is holding on to father who is his past. Jonathan didn’t embrace his future with his friend David because he was holding on to his father which is his past. You have to leave your history in order to embrace your destiny. I believe Jonathan died because of Saul. Saul disobeyed God and when you’re a leader you can cause people to go in the wrong direction when you aren’t doing what God has told you to do. Saul and his sons and all his mens are fighting against the Philistine and they lose. I wonder if they would have won the battle if Saul was obedient. Jonathan died in the battle and Saul takes his own life and so does the other men. Jonathan didn’t embrace his destiny because he was too focus on his father. Don’t miss your destiny for anyone. God has a plan for your life and sometimes you will have to separate and leave your family and friends and the people close to you in order to go in the direction of your destiny.

Abraham, God told him in Genesis 12:1 to leave his country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. Imagine you are in this situation. God tell you to pack your bag and leave your family and friends and everything close to you to a land I will show you. Most of us would be like what. Do what God. We would even wrestle and battle with God. We would say I don’t want to. God will tell us to do things we don’t want to do. I will repeat. God will tell us to do things we don’t want to do. If we look at the next verse it say I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. Anytime God tell you to do something it is for your own good. Abraham had a destiny and he left everything he knew in order to reach his destiny. Will you do the same or will you be like Jonathan holding on to history that you died where you are and miss your destiny? Don’t miss your destiny for anyone.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Be Thankful and Share It

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 15:15

I love Thanksgiving.  It is a time for me as a Christian to reflect on the many blessings God has given me. To look back on not just my past, but the past of my country and the whole world since God created the world.  I am amazed at all God has done and is doing. 

I feel sad for those who do not know God especially at Thanksgiving.  I wonder, who do they give thanks to?  What is their Thanksgiving day all about?  Are they hurrying about trying to make the perfect meal for their family? No matter how good the turkey is or how much they eat, without God to give thanks to, without Christ, they have to be left feeling empty.

And then I say, “But for the grace of God, there go I!”  I realize, it is by the grace of God that I am even saved.  Matthew 11:27 says, “All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father.  Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”  Jesus willed to reveal Himself to me!

  I could be that unbeliever and empty on Thanksgiving Day, but thanks be to God I am saved!  Thanks be to God that He sent Jesus as a sacrifice for my sins!   

Hebrews 15:16 says, “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”  I cannot keep this to myself.  I am supposed to share it.

So this Thanksgiving, my goal is to give praise to God and thanks to His name and to share it with others.  To tell everyone I can why I am thankful and who I am thankful to.  And to share food with others and whatever else the Lord blesses me with to be a blessing to others.

I challenge everyone everywhere to be thankful and to share it!

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.  For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:2-3

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Feelings Fail

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

Your feelings may fail you. The psalmist is speaking from the perspective of a believer when he says "my heart may fail." He is not speaking about the actual heart. He already covered physical organs when he mentioned the "flesh." Rather, he is speaking of feelings. Mood. Confidence. Our sense of mental stability. If he were speaking of the actual heart, there would be no need for the verse, because when the heart stops we stand before God and our struggle is over.
For the Christian, our confidence and mood are not certain and we should not place our trust in how we feel. Ask anyone who has bipolar disorder how quickly their confidence can go from soaring to utterly destroyed. When our heart fails us, when our confidence fails us, when our mood, even our very thoughts fail us, we do not have an excuse to give up. Whether our heart fails us because of circumstance or because of chemical or mood disorder, we must let that mustard-seed faith become all that we have and all that we cling to. We must determine to trust God, because the bible says He is our true strength, not how good we happen to feel at the time. He is our strength and our portion forever; he never fails or changes. He is the only constant.

One key to clinging to our faith when our heart fails us is to speak to ourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Get out a pad and pen and write a praise, or even write about your struggles and your faith in God to deliver you. Expressing and verbalizing our belief is very important. Sing out loud to God, talk to yourself about the amazing stories of deliverance from the bible, or meditate on scripture. Remember to never stray from God, even if you should sin, or if your feelings and thoughts are not consistent with what you believe is acceptable to God. Tell him how you feel, and hide nothing from Him. The word says that we should not be anxious at all, but rather bring all our requests to God through prayer, with thanksgiving, and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

The word says that those who know God’s name will trust in Him, because he has NEVER forsaken anyone who seeks Him (Psalm 9:10), and I have found this to be true in all my years as a Christian. If we cling to God, even in the midst of our worst, most unfathomable struggles, our faith becomes real, and God will reward us with times of peace. Remember that all our struggles are for our own good, and for the testing and refining of our faith. Do not be discouraged or without hope when everything, including your heart, fails you. As the saying goes, you know it is faith when it is all you have.

[Soldier4Christ]

Can Music Effect Me?

“That righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard." (2 Peter 2:8 ) The Christians at Corinth thought that immorality in the church wouldn't affect them, but they were wrong. (1Corinthians 5) NIV. (Updated for 2004)

Music, we live it, fall in love with it, and treasure it. We remember loved ones and ones we are currently in love with by these tunes. With songs begin such a high point in our lives, we sometimes over look what God wants. I haven’t been able to find a “thy shalt not listen to Ludacris, or Maroon 5” in the Bible, but what I did find was a couple of verses that not too many can argue with.

The first one deals with a person named Lot. Read the verse above, it is fairly easy and to the point. If you hang around bad company and listen to negative lyrics your soul will be tormented and some of it will rub off on you. “Cause it’s all in my head I think about it over and over again.” Now, I know Nelly wasn’t talking about this devotional when he wrote his latest number 1 hit, however it is something that is very true. The more we listen to music the more it replays in our heads….over and over again.

Ok maybe that didn't faze you or you're still thinking, "but it won't bother me." Let's look at the second verse. Now if fellow Brothers and Sisters are struck with immorality in their own church, and fail, now that's a problem. Even if we think we are stronger than that, we are not.

We sometimes get so caught up in our music; we don't even realize what we are singing. I'm not saying if you don't stop this second your going to hell, but sit back. Let's try praying about it. I believe in your heart you know what is right and what is not. Not only will changing the type of music help your relationship with friends and family, but will also help with your relationship with our Savior.

Try going to the local Christian Book Store and check out some CD’s, or visit our online TDDM Christian CD store. The Christian music industry has gone way up in the past few years, and even the secular music stores carry them. If you are having trouble with keeping your faith or staying close to God, look at a few aspects of your life, then pray. Not just on music, but on anything that could be put into question. Remember I do not own my life, when I was saved I gave it to Him. So, don't give half of your life but give it all, and one of those is music. You never know, it may keep you from having Usher like confessions. God bless and Keep The Faith!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Cleaning The Cup


Matthew 23:25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”
           
In my house we don't have a dishwasher so we must wash all the dishes by hand. As you know this is a tedious task, it takes a long time, is boring and your hands get all wrinkled. For me the worst part of washing the dishes by hand are the cups. Some of them are really hard to clean, they have small openings that you can't stick your hand in and some have handles that are hard to clean. To clean these cups you need the right kind of dish brush, one with a long handle and small head that can fit into the openings of the cups and get them clean.
     
Now cleaning the cups are made even worse when they have liquid that's dried on such as milk or orange juice. It takes extra time and patients to make sure they come clean. Sometimes I don't want to go through the trouble to wash the cups, I just want to rub the sponge or brush through them then move on. Then I remember, I have to drink out of these things. I want them clean and I know so does everyone else.
     
You may be wondering what this has to do with you but I have a point. Like in Matthew 23:25 I see us as cups or dishes. We hold things inside, some good some bad. We need to be cleaned often but too often we clean the outside but not the inside. We change out appearance and the way we act in public but on the inside we haven't changed at all, we are still filthy and dirty. Some Christians are like this; they say one thing then do a different thing. They praise God and claim to serve Christ, then they go out and sin and never ask forgiveness.
     
We all sin and we all need to be purged of the filth of the sin. But sin is like dried on sour milk it doesn't come off easily. It takes time and a special tool, that tool is the gift of salvation from God through His Son Jesus Christ. If we want to be cleaned both inside and out we need the gift that can only come from the Father and the Son. No one wants to drink out of a dirty cup, and God cares to much to see us full of sin. So go out there and get a good cleaning, talk to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness and grace.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Adoption


Edited from a 1998 devotion by the late Donn Adams

Adoption is a choice.  In common language, adoption is the legal process where a person accepts parental responsibility for another person's child.  The Old Testament has only two direct references to this situation when Mordecal adopted Esther, his uncle's daughter (Esther 2:15) and Moses who became the adopted son of the Pharaoh (Exodus 2:1-10).  Both of these events reflect a conscious choice by the natural parents to give up their child because of unfavorable circumstances.  It is interesting to note that both children became very prominent personalities, in the grace of God, and chosen by God for very special tasks. 

My husband and I adopted his nephew when he was 11.  I already had 3 sons of my own and when we married we sure did have a blended family.  This was our choice to adopt him and raise him with the other boys as our son.  Having my husband become stepfather to my sons as well as his nephew, was a choice that gave us great love and joy.

The New Testament uses the term "adoption" to describe a new status when people accept Jesus as their Savior and are affirmed in a special and intimate personal relationship with God.  They become children of God.  All of this signifies a new beginning and a special position characterized by love and hope.  It is a conscious choice by God and His children to become one with Him as a Savior.

This is also applies to the current version of adoption.  Parents make a conscious, loving choice to accept a child as a permanent part of their family without judging or condemning the person who has to give up the child.  Most of the time, a birth parent gives up a child out of love and understanding that under current circumstances in their lives that the child would be better off in another family.

An adopted child is a very special child.  If you know that you are adopted, please know that your adopted parents love you very much or they would not have gone through the adoption process.  It is a very long, expensive and complicated process that is designed to provide a good home to a child who needs one. 

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Everlasting God

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28

Have you heard the song by Brenton Brown, "Everlasting God"?  The song is based on Isaiah 40, and in particular the above verse.  It is a powerful, masterful and very significant reminder by the Prophet Isaiah, of the awesome majesty of our Lord, for each and every Christian.  As the song relates, as we "wait upon the Lord, our strength will rise."  Why is this so?  Because our God does not grow faint or weary, ever.  No matter where we are or what might occur, He is with us, because He reigns forever and He can empower us in the blink of his eye.

I remember a time, not too many years ago, when I was going through an incredibly difficult time in my life.  It was about that time that Isaiah 40 was introduced to me in a Bible study.  When you think about the fact that our God is an everlasting God, it becomes abundantly clear that He will always be there, no matter what happens.  Our God is the defender of the weak, as well as the comforter of the needy.  As far as I can determine, that includes every one of us.

I don't know about you, but the verse "They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" provides me with a whole lot of renewed strength when I am feeling helpless and powerless in a situation.  Why is that so?  Simply, because our God is there for us when we cry out for help.  And because He loves His children, He comes to our aid, as we place our faith and trust in Him for whatever circumstance we are in.
 
It has been my privilege to personally witness how this all powerful God of ours comes to help us when we call out to Him in desperation, as we come to the stark realization that there are some things that we just can not do in our own human strength.  When we place our hope, faith, confidence and future into the hands of our Lord, He will deliver us in ways that go beyond our own imaginations or understanding.  The next time you are facing a situation that appears to be overwhelming, give it the only one who can overcome it, the Everlasting God.  I am certain that you will see, He really does want us to ask for His help.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Betrayal

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. John 6:70-71

Jesus had twelve disciples and one of them was Judas. Jesus chose twelve who would walk with him and who were close to him. Jesus later find out that he will be betray by one of his disciples and it was Judas. Jesus knew in advance that he would be betray because the father had revealed it to him. Judas was the treasurer. He was in charge of the money. Judas was not a good treasurer because he would take the money and used it to help himself as it say in John 12:6. In Matthew 26 verse 47 to 56 deal with Jesus being arrested. This is where Judas betrays Jesus. Judas brought with him a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: The one I kiss is the man; arrest him. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, Greetings, Rabbi! And kissed him. Jesus replied, Friend, do what you came for. I will stop here. I want you to think about this. Jesus knew in advance that he will be betrayed. Judas betrays Jesus but Jesus after being betray replied by calling Judas friend. Can you imagine the one you are close to, your best friend or family members or someone you admire or think highly of betray you. It is one thing not knowing you are going to be betray but Jesus knew in advance that he will be betray by Judas but he still call him friend.

I believe Jesus is showing us here that although Judas betray him, he still call him friend. I believe Jesus would forgive Judas of what he done. He wouldn’t hold it against him or when he does something wrong again he bring up what he had done before. The bible says that love keeps no record of wrong. This verse is powerful. How many times have we remembered or brought back up something a friend or someone we know have done wrong. What Jesus does with our sins and wrongs is he cast them in a sea of forgetfulness. He forgets them and not brings it up. One of the problems with us is that we keep remembering what we did in the past or even now. We remember our mistakes, failures, short coming, the bad things we have done. God has forgotten them. He doesn’t know what you’re talking about. For God is love. He loves you and he has forgotten what you have done. Although we have betrayed Jesus a lot of time, he still calls us friend and he forgives. I believe we should do the same. Forgive those who have betrayed you. I know it hurts and I don’t know what the person did. The bible says that if you don’t forgive, God won’t forgive you. Read Matthew 6:14-15. I challenge you today to call up or write or email or text someone who have wrong you, forgive them and forget what they have done. Sometimes we forgive but don’t forget. Demonstrate the love of God by forgiving the ones who betray you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Here I Am

     Lately in my Bible reading, I've been paying attention to detail.  One detail that really caught my attention was the phrase "Here I am!".  I never realized how many prophets in the Bible said that when God called them.  I prayed about why God would point that out to me and He gave me the following 3 points.

     We have to be........
          1. Willing to listen - How many times have we actually listened to God?  We want Him to answer us but we don't take time to stop our busy schedule and listen to Him.  Some of us take 5 to 10 mins for quiet time but spend all of it doing the talking instead of listening.  We should be like the prophets.  When God speaks to us we should say, "Here I am" instead of "Hold on God, I have life happening".  One good example is Moses.  He was tending his sheep when God called out his name.  He didn't say, "Hold on God, I'm tending my sheep".  He said "Here I am" and listened to God.
          2. Willing to go - When God calls us to do something He has a purpose for it.  It may be a little or big job but they're all important.  God doesn't show favoritism either - He can use ANYONE regardless of age, sex, denomination, etc. but we have to be willing!  We need to have the heart of Isaiah:  "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send?'.....And I said 'Here am I, send me!"  (Isaiah 6:
          3.  Willing to sacrifice - When we are willing to listen and willing to go God will use us.  When He uses us He doesn't want us to just give part of what we have.  He wants us to give our all.  Therefore, we must also be willing to sacrifice.  We've got to deny ourselves, pick up our crosses, and follow Him.  Remember when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, the one God promised him?  Abraham didn't even think twice about his decision.  He did what God told him regardless the sacrifice and God honored him for that.

     Will you be willing to listen, willing to go, and willing to sacrifice?  I'm saying to the Lord, "Here I am!  Use me!"  Will you join me?  We will be amazed what God can do through us when we do these 3 simple things.  God bless you and remember to LISTEN, GO, and SACRIFICE!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Thanks for the Bad

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

Life brings several twists and turns, ups and downs, and it seems so easy to serve God on the highs.  It is very easy to thank Him for a raise, a car, or even a good grade on a simple homework assignment.  But do you ever have trouble when He says no?
Maybe something doesn’t go right in your life.  You get sick, the car breaks down, or you get fired from your job.  Are you able to thank Him then?  I know that I have troubles during these times.

Sometimes when it seems like everything is going wrong, God is really setting your life up for good.  Maybe by being fired from your awful job with no reason, God provides better pay and working hours.  Maybe getting sick is a chance for you to be humbled.  Maybe not getting to go to the party of the century keeps you from becoming an alcoholic.  Maybe your car being broken down keeps you from a wreck.

While many circumstances seem unfair, God will often use them to keep you in His care.  Whatever goes wrong today, remember to thank Him for it.  The bad can be His way of showing that He cares.