Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Summer Time

By: Steven Self


John 8:31-32 (The Message)
Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you
stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure.
32Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free
you."

It’s that long awaited time again.  The time that all students dream of
since the first day of every school year, a time that makes memories that
last a lifetime, a time of relaxation, a time of fun.  The only word that
can describe this wonderful time is “summer”.  What a great feeling when
that last school-bell of the year rings!

When we become Christians, it’s like going from the middle of the school
year directly to summer.  Do we lose our responsibilities? No.  But we do
get to leave behind a lot of the things the world has to stick to.   For
instance, we are no longer a slave to sin because Jesus has set us free.  We
no longer have to worry about being accepted by the popular people, because
we’ve been accepted by the One who created the popular people.  We no longer
have to worry and focus on money, we have a Lord who promises and does
provide us with all we need.  We no longer have to focus on getting high,
because we’re given a spiritual high that can’t be touched by any drug. 
We’re free from worrying about everything because Jesus said that He would
take our burdens on himself.

Upon accepting the Lord into our lives, we are given a great peace, much
better then we have on even the most relaxing of summer days.  We are set
free from accepting much of the self-torture and self-hatred the world
contends with daily.  What a pretty view of Christianity, why don’t more
Christians see it this way?  Because most proclaimed “Christians”, don’t do
any homework.  I know so many people who think going to church on Sunday and
Wednesday makes them whole.  Church attendance doesn’t make you holy, nor
does it save you.  It’s the personal relationship you have with God that
does that.

The only way to know God is to read about Him and talk to Him and follow
what He tells you to do.  That’s how a relationship works.  Most teens get
busier in the summer, but I want to challenge you to spend a little time
each day studying the bible and praying and trying to live out your faith. 
I promise that if you truly attempt to know God better, you’ll experience
the type of freedom I’m talking about.  The wonderful thing about this
freedom is that it’s not on a timetable, and you never have to go back to
being the way you were before.  The only way the truth can set you free is
if you know what the truth is.  How can you use something without reading
the owners manual?   How can you be good at something if you never practice.
 
Summer eventually comes to an end, the freedom we have in God won’t.  Have
a great summer while you get to know the one who invented it.

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Letters of Our Lives

By: Beth Hays


Your lives are a letter written in our hearts, and everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ prepared by us. It is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on stone, but on human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3) NLT

In my personal devotions this past week, the writer asked if people saw me just as "affectionate and unusually moral" or as a Christian. The more I thought about it the more I realized that just because I am a kind person does not mean that people see that that kindness is God in me. In conclusion, I came to see that most probably just saw me as a good person.

So, I began to pray. I prayed that God would give me opportunities to do something that would show that my faith is real, and not just an illusion. I also asked to be tested so that I could be sure that I had a REAL commitment to my God. Well, God answered my prayer. I was asked to say a prayer over the loudspeaker at the football game Friday night for a friend of mine who was in a car accident and is in serious condition. God gave me an opportunity to public show my devotion to Him. What I failed to mention, is that this completely tested my commitment because I am desperately afraid of talking in front of people. So, after being nauseated for hours, I did it. God answered my prayer in less than a week!

We're told that our lives are a letter to be read by all who see us. Our actions should reflect the beauty of our Lord. But, even more, we should be open and willing to show people that it is not just our actions, but God acting through us. God wants to blow you away with His miracles...so start asking! I encourage you to live a life so that you are a letter worth reading!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Minutes

By: Scott M Ringo


What is the significance of a minute in a day?  What is ten minutes in a day?  We each get 1440 minutes in a day and most of those go by unaccounted.  Sure, we notice the day go by because we live through each one of them but it difficult to account for every one of those minutes in detail.  It can be a struggle when someone asks us what we did yesterday, and find it challenging to come up with an answer that seems worthy of spending a whole day on the tasks we performed? 

According to world statistics in the last ten minutes, 75 mothers gave birth to cute cuddly babies that are alive and well.  In those last ten minutes, 42 people said their last good-bye to the life that they lived on this earth, content or not with what they had done.  For the last group of people those last ten minutes were important.  The last ten minutes were important for all of us if we get practical about it.  Medically it takes fewer than 5 minutes from the time our hearts stop until we are in eternity.  What about spiritually, how long does it take your "spiritual heart" to die once your passions die?  It might be even fewer than the last ten minutes. 

In John 15:7 Jesus tells us, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. " 

The Greek word used for desire here is "aijtevw".  Aijtevw means to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, or require.  This intense emotion is in the New Testament 68 times.  Jesus lived this life of desire  (aijtevw) while He walked this earth.  It is amazing thought that Jesus came determined to give everyone He met the desire for what they longed for. 

If we believe what Jesus said, then we should be living each minute of every day continual in Jesus, His words continuous in us, and doing our best to meet the aijtevw others have. 

My Challenge to You
Meeting the needs that other people have shows them that we care for them and that they are important.  Each of us with a little effort has the ability to meet the needs of others.  We might find we have no time to meet the needs of others because we are so busy trying to meet our own wants.  You can never give too much to others, and in giving, you may just find that you meet your own needs by serving others in their needs.

Take a couple minutes today and plan out how you can serve those God placed around you by helping them get what they need.  The couple of minutes that you can give to those around you today could be the biggest difference anyone has made in their life.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Praying For Your Church

By: Rev. Adam R. Rinehar


Colossians 1 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Are you really praying for your church? There are times that I think that when we pray for our church it may sound like, “God, would you bless my church?” Other times, it comes with utter passion and a need for desperate help and it comes out, (emphasis on God) GOD! Would you bless my church? It just seems that when we come to God in prayer for our churches that we really do not ask Him for the things that we really ought to be asking Him?

What would happen if we prayed like Paul and said, “Lord Jesus, I want to take the promises that you have given us in James, and the promise that you have given us in Colossians, that Paul asked for concerning the little church in Colosse, Lord Jesus, would you extend your grace, knowledge, spiritual wisdom and understanding to our church? Would you help it with division, synicism, gnosticism and the forces of evil that we are battling at the church? Bind us together in one accord? Will you help us to bear fruit in every good work that we do, to grow in knowledge of God. Father will you give us the strength with all power according to his glorious might so that we may have great endurance and never want to give up, and never want to let petty things that bother us cause division among us. Give us patience, and joy. We give you the thanks and the glory for all of these things. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!”

What would happen if we made it our certain point to make that our prayer? I know that with the faith in God that He will begin to answer our prayer and we can begin to see these things happen in our churches. May we begin to pray these things, and take a look at our prayer life and see what God would have for us to really be praying about when it comes to our church instead of our own mamby pamby little prayers that we have been saying for our church, and watch God do a mighty work! May God’s Grace Abound In You And Your Church!
   

[Soldier4Christ]

  You Might Die Today

By: Janet Adams


In Memory of Donn W. Adams.

No one wakes up in the morning thinking, "Maybe I will die today." But someone will die today.

Someone got out of bed this morning never to return to it tonight.  Some said good-bye to their wives, husbands, children, parents, brothers or sisters this morning over breakfast telling them they will see them later.  But some will never come home tonight.  Some have great plans for the weekend that will never happen, instead their family will be at their funeral.  It happens.  On June 12, 1999 at 7pm my husband kissed me good-bye and left to go to the store to get steaks to barbecue.  As I was making the salad and setting the table on our porch for dinner, the call came in.  My husband was dead. 

He had not been sick or hurt or anything.  He died of a brain aneurysm.  He was dead before he hit the floor in the grocery store.  He didn't wake up that morning saying, "I might die today."  He had plans, a good job, a family, a life.  When it is our time to leave this world there may be no warning at all.  Some are ill and know that the time is drawing near, but for most, we do not know.  I know that when my husband left and never came back that he did go to a place that was prepared for him.  Heaven, my husband went immediately to Heaven, how do I know that?  The Bible says:
"I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies."  John 11:25 KJV

I witnessed during our lives together my husband prepare his soul to insure he was going to Heaven.  I saw my husband pray to Jesus Christ to forgive him of his sins and to change his life.  I saw my husband dedicate his life to God.  I saw him grow in a personal relationship with Jesus over the years.  I saw the spirit of the Lord within him each and every day.

IF YOU WERE TO SUDDENLY DIE TODAY -
DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE WHERE YOU WILL GO?
DO NOT WAIT !!!!

Do not wait another minute because no one knows where our time is come.  Go on your knees NOW and pray to God for salvation.  Ask Jesus to come into your heart and live there, changing your life and forgiving you of your sins.  You need no fancy prayer, just talk to him from your heart as you would your best friend.  This guarantees a place in Heaven for all eternity.  Especially when we are young we may think we have plenty of time to do this in our lives - but we just never know.  An actual prayer to God must be said, just thinking and feeling it won't make it so.  Go down on your knees NOW and ask Jesus to come in your life.  Believe me I never expected to never see my husband again when he left that evening. Go to God now and make your reservation for a wonderful eternal life with Jesus in Heaven.  I know one day I will see my husband again when it is my time to go to Heaven. Do it before its too late, you don't get a second chance after you die.  The alternative is ever lasting life in torment separated from God in Hell.

"For me to live in Christ and to die is gain."  Philippians 1:21 KJV

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  Jon 14:1-3 KJV

[Soldier4Christ]

  Sharing Problems

By: Steven Self


Question:  How can I tell other people at my church the problems I’m having
when I don’t trust them to keep it a secret?


James 5:16 (The Message)
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for
each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a
person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.


As Christians, we are called to encourage each other and build each other
up.  Unfortunately, we sometimes find ourselves amongst a crowd of gossips
and busy-bodies.  Many people have grown up believing that church is just a
place you go and everyone puts on a happy face.  Many people see church as a
social club where the only way to be “In Christ” is to be happy and cheerful
and perfect.  That’s not how Christianity is.  Christians aren’t perfect,
they aren’t always happy and they don’t always have easy lives.  As a matter
of fact, it’s much harder to be a Christian than not.

Church gossip can be worse than the politics are in congress, but we don’t
have to play in to it.  If you go on and pretend nothing is wrong because
you don’t trust the other people at church, your putting on the same face
they are.  The bible tells us to admit our faults to others and seek
encouragement from each other.  But if you are in an environment that’s like
this, you want to be very careful about who you do talk to.  It’s important
to find someone who you can look up to in Christ, someone who is actually
living a Christian life, not just putting on a Christian suit when they
venture in to church.  This takes a little homework.  Try to find out how
they live their life outside of church.  When you are truly living a life to
please God, it’s really easy to see when others are too.  This really does
take one to know one.

If you are having a hard time figuring it out, talk to your youth minister
or senior minister, pastor, etc.  There are some exceptions, but for the
most part, they are very good to talk to.  If you still can’t find the help
your looking for, you can always write to one of your friendly, neighborhood
TDDM writers.  We not only write devos, but I’ve been told we listen well
too.

You will face troubles in your walk, it will happen, Jesus guarantees it. 
When we do, we need to seek the advice of people who can help us and lead us
in the right direction.  If you need help, open up to someone you can trust
today.  But I also want to challenge you to look around your church and ask
yourself, if someone else is having a problem, do I live a life that would
invite them to bring their problems to me?  Many people find that when they
open themselves up to help others, they begin to also find other people to
help themselves out.

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Domino Effect

By: Beth Hays


For "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:13-14) NLT

I grew up in a pretty ritualistic church. That's great if that's how you worship. But, for me, it only led to a huge game of "playing Christian." I knew all the answers in Sunday school--the good little girl, as most would say. Always smiling, the church thought I was the perfect daughter. They were wrong. I was a very depressed and lonely little girl who tended to take that out on my very frustrated parents.

I did the prayer thing...at least on the surface. Yes, I said "Dear God...bless mommy and daddy and grandpa and grandma..." But, did I ever really talk to God? No. Why didn't I talk to God? Simple-because I didn't know Him. I just pretended to.

When I was 11 I went to church camp. During that week someone told me that God wanted to be more than the "big guy in the sky." She told me that He wanted to be my friend. I didn't have many friends...and a free friend sounded pretty good. So, I told God that I wanted to be His friend. Things have gotten much better from there. I'm really praying now. In fact, I have hour-long conversations with God at least once a day. These are the highlights of my days. But how did I come to call on God? I believed. How did I come to believe? Someone told me. Do you see Paul's (and I believe God's) point here?

So what does this leave you to do? Well, if you don't believe...I just told you about god...so talk to Him. If you do, help others to believe by telling them. Way too many times people tell us to witness, but they don't explain why. Your job: start the eternal domino effect.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Path

By: Scott Michael Ringo


Have you ever taken a road trip?  We are all on a road trip of sorts through our life.  Many times that thought conjures up images of complicated twists and turns trying to know the exact path to take.  A road or path is just a tool.  The journey can be more important than the destination and many times is.  The path is a way to get to where we are going that has a surface that may be a bit smoother than heading straight into the jungle whacking bushes.  Depending on which path we choose to a destination may decide how quickly we arrive, or which means of transport we can take the trip on.  The means of transport may also decide the "ride" of our journey.  On foot or a car we might have a better chance at new discoveries while in a plane we will miss the details, the view will be different.  A path may have twists, turns, bumps, and even bridges that we must navigate.  A well-groomed road has few of these challenges allowing faster arrival to the destination, thought it might be a longer road.  There are even those times when there is no path available and bushwhacking through the jungle is the necessary means of travel.  We may not have a choice in the path we take or the vehicle by which we travel.



A bumpy challenging road is not a bad choice for some, as they love the adventure and the discovery.  Gaining experience in travel through life on roads like this is the only choice for the adventurer.  Pioneering a path is a challenging yet rewarding accomplishment.  For some, pioneering uncharted territories is what they love to do.  They explore the new and marvel at the discoveries as they journey through life.  Their passion matches the depth of the assignment and the stories and lessons they gain are endless.



To mature each of us must travel some unfamiliar paths.  We can do that with great delight or complete misery, the choice is ours.  A smooth or bumpy road does not mean we took a wrong turn; it is just part of the journey to the destination.



Paul lived the life of a pioneer, and no doubt, his path had boulders, potholes, twists, and great drop-offs.  The letter that Paul encourages the Philippians with is an attitude that we should have no matter the current path we are walking.



"Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again – rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.  Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:4-7



Paul made it to the end of the journey he was on, as in time, we will.  How we progress and the attitude we have on our journey is all up to us.



My Challenge to Us
On any journey, whether it is spiritual or physical it is important to continue to head towards our destination.  We might take a wrong turn or experience exhaustion but continued progress towards the end of the road is essential in completing the trip.  You may not be a pioneer and despise the bumpy or challenging terrain you find yourself on at times.  Heed the advice from Paul, one of the worlds best travelers "Always be full of joy in the Lord".  You will eventually get to your destination and the rest at the end will be worth the trip.  While traveling, enjoy the journey!   

[Soldier4Christ]

  What Is Your Temperature

By: Adam R. Rinehart


Rev. 3:14-21


15. "I know the things that you do, that you are neither hot nor cold.
I wish you were one or the other!"


I remember the day that I got married like it was yesterday. It was hotter
than all get out on that July day. I remember the moment that my wife
gave me her ring for my finger. I was dazzled by what was in it, and
especially the fact that it was gold. I never wore much gold growing up,
and now, for the rest of my life, I was honored to wear something that would never tarnish or would ever fade. As I got older, I began to wonder how gold was made, got to be so shiny and what a jeweler had to accomplish in order to get the finished product. After a little research, a jeweler will melt gold from its beginning state so many times until he finally gets to the point where he will see his reflection, and it shines like the sun.

Friends, the city of Laodicea was the most wealthy of the seven of the seven churches in the book of Revelation. More that likely, they had all that they ever wanted in the area of riches. It was known for its industries, manufacturing, as well as
its medical studies. The city always had a problem with its water supply
though, so bad that they had to have water piped in from hot springs in
other lands. By the time the water reached the city it was lukewarm, so
lukewarm that it made it disgusting to drink.

People in the church at Laodicea had become just that in their faith. They
were neither hot and on fire for Christ, nor were they as cold as ice. They had everything, yet they were lukewarm which led to idleness causing the church to become hardened
and self satisfied. This would ultimately cause them to be destroyed from
the inside out, and God would "spit" them out of His mouth.

Friends, how many of us are lukewarm? Think about it for a second. Some
of you are totally riding the fence when it comes to your faith and
relationship with Jesus. Some of you are right out cold, and without any
spiritual life in your hearts. What is the solution?

First, Jesus said to repent. Turn from our ways, and go back. Begin a
passion for Him. Second, he said to "buy gold from him." Remember what I
said earlier about gold? We need to become gold in Jesus's eyes so that
we can reflect Him in our lives and hearts. Thirdly, the text says, "I
stand at the door and knock." Jesus is standing at the door of all of
our lives, and it is our choice whether or not we let Him in. He wants us
to invite Him to take control of our lives. Friends we need to do just
that.

Finally, what about your life? Is God refining you like gold? Can He see
His reflection in your heart? My prayer is that you will do a reality
check, repent, and begin to see His reflection in your lives. He is
standing at the door and knocking, won't you let Him in to live forever?
May God Be With You

[Soldier4Christ]

  Afraid Of God

By: Matt Crawford


"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7
"For we know Him that has said, ‘Vengeance belongs to Me, I will recompense,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord shall judge His people.‘ It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the Living God." Hebrews 10:30-31

Are you afraid of the Lord? All throughout the bible the fear of the Lord is stressed as an important thing. If not for fear of the Lord, none of us would have ever felt the need for forgiveness of sins. If not for fear of the Lord, God’s children would walk all over Him.

Some people don’t believe God should be feared, and many also believe He will not punish them for sins. But the bible says that we should fear God. In fact, God did punish His own chosen people, the Israelites, many times in the old testament. When they rebelled against Him in the desert, He caused them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until the generation of unbelievers were dead. When Uzzah showed contempt for the ark of the covenant by trying to keep it from falling (ignoring a command that only the priesthood should handle it) God’s anger burned against him and he died on the spot. In the book of Acts, when the early believers were selling their belongings and becoming a collective, one couple decided to sell their land but hold back part of the money for themselves. The same couple God struck down and killed for lying to God.

The bible says clearly that God is no respector of persons, which means that God does not favor one man above another, or use a looser set of morals for judging one person than another. If this is the case, what is to say that God would not punish Christians, His own saved people, as He punished His people in the old and even the new testament?

I don’t stress this to make you cower and tremble and think you are going to hell for whatever sins you have done. The bible says that if we confess our sins and repent, God will forgive us. (1 John 1:9) But for those who are sinning, this is a warning. We are to fear and respect God. Doing this is the beginning of wisdom in that it was the fear of God that called us to salvation, and it is the fear of God which keeps us from sinning and falling away from our savior. Because despite what people believe, God does judge His people, and He will punish His people. Does He love us? Yes. Are we saved? Yes. But He is also the Father, the Judge, Holy. There is no sin without consequence, and just like a father punishes His children accordingly, so God punishes us.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Being In Love

By: Janet Adams


"in all things God works for the good of those who love Him" Romans 8:28

Fifteen year old Beth is in love with James.  Is this real love?  Or puppy love?  It is real love and the commitment she has made to their relationship is real.  They have promised to love each other forever and they really mean it.  Now that doesn't mean it will last forever. 

Between the ages of 15 and 21 people change the most.  They change interests, attitudes and values.  They will discover new talents and gifts within themselves.  They will change attitudes and opinions about the way others live their lives and what they want out of life.  What the 15 year old may want at 15 isn't what she may want when she turns 20.  There are many decisions that you will make that can change your life in the stage of 15 through 21.  Making the wrong choice can have a lasting effect.  Some of the wrong choices may result in having sex before marriage, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, etc. 

Love at 15 is real and all the real emotions come with it.  You need to evaluate your relationships and seek the will of God in these emotions.  A commitment to God, keeping Him the central point in your life will help you keep all these emotions in check.  Love is the most important thing you will feel and it has its up and downs.  Having God walk with you through these very important years is vital to keep a healthy grounded life.  You don't want to live with regrets that you carry through a lifetime, no regrets, don't regret something at 21 that you did at 15.  Think carefully about love and your relationships.  Place God in the center of all things in your life, love included.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Someday: Perfection

By: Beth Hays


Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power. They are natural human bodies now, but when they are raised, they will be spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, so also there are spiritual bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:43-44) NLT

I have several close friends with eating disorders. I have even more that are unsatisfied with how they look. I could spend hours showing you just how much God thinks you are perfect the way you are. But, I know most of it would go in one ear and out the other. So, I'll save that for another day. Instead I want to offer you some hope.

You look in the mirror and you can probably tell me more about you that you don't like than what you do. Maybe you're underweight or overweight. Maybe you're too tall or too short. Maybe you have acne or other blemishes. Maybe you have birthmarks or deformities. Whatever you see in that mirror, I promise you're not the only one who feels that way about themselves.

But, it isn't always going to be this way. In the course of your earthly life it will probably change a little. You may grow taller and your skin may grow wrinkly. Then you may even grow shorter. But, when you leave this earth, we are promised, that your body will so much better. You will be full of power and glory. You'll look an awful lot like Jesus after His resurrection. So, I want to encourage you that no matter what you find wrong with your body now (which, I remind you is perfect to God), it will go away someday. You have hope. You will be more beautiful than any of us can imagine. Let that fill you will hope when you look into your reflection!

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Cage

By: Scott Michael Ringo


My mother has an African Lovebird named Tiki.  Tiki likes his life indoors and has a sheltered, posh life with all the benefits.  Tiki has an eight-story cage, a seed bowl that is always full, a soft cozy bed, and all the comforts of air-conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter.


As I held him one day, I wondered if He knew God.  Maybe a strange thought, but do animals simply know who God is without question?  I believe they know God; all nature must for He is its creator.  When Tiki needs something, does He ask God for it or does he simply know that God will take care of his need? 


If birds have faith then Tiki might have more faith than even other birds.  Tiki needs to have faith that not only will God provide for him but that his provision from God comes through his caretaker.  He is very helpless to do anything himself to gain what he needs in any other way than through someone else.  Compared to other birds, Tiki might actually have an easier physical life.  He always has food without getting up early to "get the worm", and even medical attention that without it he would have died.  (See the story "Tiki")


However, Tiki has lost his freedom from certain natural acts.  He is not free to make his own decisions on where to go outside his cage, and he has never flown.  However, does he care?  Other birds are free as the wind, they spend their days where they want, but are subject to disease, or even getting ate.  Therefore, there are good points and bad points to that freedom.  Given all the benefits of being a "caged" bird maybe the loss of freedom is worth the other benefits.  Tiki's gain of benefits comes with the loss of being able to fly and be free in the world as a natural act.  If deciding on his own, knowing all the choices, would Tiki choose the life indoors or out?


Tiki's scenario is much like ours.  Many look at a life surrendered to God as a life put in a cage without freedom.  The freedoms they feel they would lose are freedoms of natural acts that they should have not loose.  The only freedom that God requires us to give up is the freedom to sin. 


When we choose God, we are deciding to let go of the freedom of sin for the gain of being with Him and all His benefits.  To be in relationship with God we choose to give up freedoms that we could have, but to have those freedoms would result in a life without God.  Given the choice, knowing all the options, a life in God with all the benefits of His provision and love far outweighs the freedom of sin.  Once we learn God's love it is easy to trust giving away what we may sense as freedom, and recognize it is not a loss but freedom itself.


"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.  If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.  And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process?"  Luke 9:23-25 (NLT)


My Challenge to Us
I believe God wants us to be more like Tiki, helpless to do anything without Him providing for us.  The "cage" that He provides us is not a cage to take away our freedom but instead a "cage" that is for our protection.  God created us to have freedom and happiness with Him and the freedom of sin only brings sadness with a life and eternity apart from Him.   

[Soldier4Christ]

  It Is All About Love

By: Joyce K. Rhoda


Scripture: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Think about how many times you say the words "I love you" and who you say them to. There are different degrees of love. The love you feel for family, friends, significant other or pets are all a little bit different. However, God, the creator of love wants us to know that loving Him is the first and greatest commandment he gives us. "Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."  Matthew 22: 37-40.

To know the true definition of love you need to read 1 Corinthians 13, which is referred to as the love chapter. Study this chapter then try to apply this to how you love those around you.

Gods love for us is true unconditional love; the closest humans come to that type of love is the love that a parent has for their child. God understands the strong feelings and committment that a parent has for their child but he insists that we love him even above our children, even asking Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.

Love is a very powerful emotion and we need to keep this emotion focused on God. As you begin dating and even when you find the person you intend to marry; be sure that your love for God remains true, strong, first and foremost in your life. When two people marry and both put God first they will be blessed by Him.

Keep these next two scriptures in mind, they will help keep your love focused on God. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
and "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8: 38-39.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Slandering Truth

By: Beth Hays


But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered. (2 Peter 2:1-2) NLT

I must admit: I'm a sucker. I am way too trusting and will consider almost everything that's offered to me. I fall for way too many gimmicks and cons. Biblical teaching used to be no exception for me. I would see someone and automatically assume they were of God. But, lately God's been teaching me a lesson.

I watched part of a movie today. I'm not sure what is was called, but in it a man pretended to be a preacher and faked miracles. He did all of this simply to gain money. Then, I was watching a local Christian television station when I saw a preacher running wildly around a stage and repeatedly asking for money. Then she started to threaten that only those who give money to her organization can receive healing and miracles. C'mon, people!

I used to just assume that this was truth...until I dug deep into God's word. I realized that miracles and healing are available to everyone. I also realized that there are people out there who are pretending to be men and women of God only to gain money for themselves. The Word tells us that people will deceive us. Yet, we're not without hope. God will take care of them in His time. But, until then make sure you steer clear of all teaching that doesn't match up with God's Word. Don't be guilty of following someone who slanders the true way of Jesus.