Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  Recognizing Holiness

By: Beth Hays


Do not treat my holy name as common and ordinary. I must be treated as holy by the people of Israel. It is I, the LORD, who makes you holy. (Leviticus 22:32) NLT

My name is Beth. You probably know that by now considering it says "By: Beth Hays." In my school there are probably 5-7 other girls named Beth. It isn't an uncommon name. So, if you were t come into an assembly and scream the name Beth, though we might look, we wouldn't come running. That's because my name is ordinary.

God is a whole other story though. There is only ONE being named God. There is only one God. He's one-of-a-kind. When we whisper "God" he comes running. So, don't say "God" as if it's nothing...because in all actuality He is EVERYTHING. He's not common or ordinary. There is no one like our God. So, remember the next time you get frustrated with the slow driver in front of you, or whatever your personal temptation may be. His name is Holy...just like He is. 

Because of His holiness, you can come to be more holy. But, you can't do it by yourself. Start looking through scripture and looking at the character of God. Realize His perfection. And then realize that he pictures you perfect as well...and he has the power to shape you more and more like Him everyday. Our God is awesome (in the truest sense of the word) and He wants you to recognize that. Take some time today to step back and look at who he really is.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Reward

By: Scott Michael Ringo


Driving along on my way to somewhere one day a car passed me in the left lane.  The car was a Mercedes and as it passed the license plate caught my attention.  I am often amused at what people will attach to the rear of their cars.  I began to decipher the customized license plate.  The first word was "My".  The second word was indeed cryptic, rewind…red wind…Reward.  The license plate stood for "My Reward".  Plainly, the car was a reward of some type for the people who owned her.  The car was a nice car but fell short of what I would call a reward.  The owners even got short-changed on the word "REWARD" spelled out on the license.

No, our reward is ready, waiting, and far better than a car or a huge house for us at the end of life here on earth.  The reward that we will receive is not a prize that will rust and fall away one day, but instead a life forever in our creator's presence.  Though marriages, families, and homes may be enjoyable to some extent, the reason for living this life is more important than even those.  Life is just a short sprint in which to run well so we can receive the prize awaiting us in heaven. 

Paul explains it like this: "But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.  No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven."  Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)

In Corinthians Paul asks: "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it".  Corinthians 9:24 (NLT)

My Challenge to Us
All our life's efforts are worth the strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize.  It is so easy to be fooled there is a reward that we are to be seeking while here in this life.  So much around us tempts us into believing there are reward items that we should be picking up along the way to heaven.  There is only one prize, one race, and one effort worth aiming for, and that effort is Jesus Christ himself.

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Rock

By: Rev. Adam R. Rinehart


Matthew 7:25 “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

What a site?! Here in Indiana we have had so much water over the past few days that I have wondered if I needed to build an ark? The water in the basement, the flood in the church parking lot, and the stink! People have been cleaning their houses, and the insurance adjusters busier than all get out.

While thinking about all of this, I have thought about what Jesus said about building our house on the sand and about building our house on the rock. When I think about making sure that our house is on the rock, I think about making sure that Jesus is the foundation that our lives are built upon. When storms and floods come, and our lives are built upon the Jesus then our lives will always stand.

In conclusion, we need to do a reality check and really see where our lives our built upon. Are they in the sand and easily washed away? Are they truly built upon Jesus Christ the solid rock! May God’s Grace Abound In You

[Soldier4Christ]

  Reckless Love

By: Beth Hays


May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other--each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified. (Romans 15:5-7) NLT

There are some people who just drive me crazy! Know what I mean? They do that one thing that grates on my every nerve. They constantly take from me and never give in return, or they talk about me behind my back. There are people who I just can't stand some days. How could God ask me to live in Harmony towards them? And how can he ask me to treat them like I would treat Jesus? Tough commands, eh? Yet, we are reassured that God alone will give us the patience and encouragement necessary to love them as Christ does.

I always hate it when people tell me to do something and then don't explain why I need to do it. Thankfully, God gives us a reason to love everyone, even those who drive us crazy. He wants us all to unify and to praise Him together. Praise God with the Goth in your school? Sing to Him with your abusive father? Honor the Father with girl who makes fun of you? Do these things seem impossible? They are God's vision. He envisions us all unified giving Him glory...and He gives us the tools to follow this commandment.

So, what is your job? To "accept each other just as Christ has accepted you." Look at your life and your heart. Glance deep inside and see all the times when you have scarred hearts with your words and harmed souls with your actions. How could the God of the universe accept you as you are? The answer is simple: grace-loving you even though you don't deserve it. So what are we to do: Show grace abundantly. Be the hands of Christ to that person who most drives you crazy. Thankfully, you don't have to do this alone because Paul reminds us that God will help us in this endeavor. So, go out there and love recklessly so that one day we can all praise God together.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Is The Bible True?

By: Steven Self


Question:

I've been a Christian most of my life but lately I've been wondering if the Bible is really true.  How do we know that the Bible was really inspired by God and not just made up?

2 Timothy 3:16 (The Message)

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way.

There have been many questions as to whether the bible was truly accurate.  How do we know it’s really the truth?  Well, lets look at the facts.  The bible was written over a 1500-year period, by over 40 different authors in different parts of the world, and in different languages.  You can read the bible from cover to cover, and when read correctly; you’ll find no contradictions of ideas.

Time and time again, people have tried to disprove events that the bible talks about only to find that the event did actually occur.  A scientist who was trying to disprove it wrote one of the most compelling books written about the Death, Burial and resurrection.  Instead the evidence he found led him to believe and brought him to Jesus.

Truthfully, we couldn’t have come up with this stuff on our own.  If you were going to create a god for people to worship, would you create one who loves you and one who sends his own son to die for you?  Absolutely not.  With our human nature we would create gods that are powerful and don’t put up with people messing up.  We wouldn’t create a God of grace, but one of power.  Take a look at some religions that are considered cults, you’ll find that the gods they worship are something that a human would have invented.

I believe the bible is 100% true and 100% inspired by God.  The bible was written by a God who is much bigger than we are and who is more amazing than we could ever imagine, which make the bible much bigger than we are.  Have you ever been reading over one and all of a sudden it took on a new meaning?  It happens all the time, it’s because God’s word is alive.  God has done so much in my life and shown me so much in the bible that I couldn’t possibly ever believe otherwise.  It’s natural to question the bible, don’t accept what other people say about it without really digging in and learning for yourself.  When you seek God’s face and dig into the bible for His guidance, you’ll find it’s much more alive than you’ve ever seen before.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Open Arms

By: Beth Hays


Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome. (Ephesians 3:12) NLT

I've been a Christian for six years now. I've been an active Christian for three. Yet, it wasn't until this past June that I was able to walk freely into God's presence. My path was blockaded by past shame, guilt, and fear.

The shame came from looking back at the horrors I have seen and experienced. It came from knowing that God has seen the horrible things that have taken place in my life. Certainly after knowing that he wouldn't want me. The guilt came from the sin that I still kept locked in my heart. It was born of sins that I had let fester, even though God had long forgiven them. I still hated myself. The fear came from seeing Him as an angry Father who would strike at any moment.

Then, at a conference total saturated with the message of God's abundant love, I came to get a little courage. I first had to come to a point of brokenness and stand in that yucky place of shame, guilt, and fear. Then, in that point of intense vulnerability, I got up the courage to look up at my God and really look into His eyes. I saw that, contrary to my fear, he didn't run when he saw my grossness. Instead, He opened His arms and surrounded me in peace and relief.

What in your life is hindering you from waling fearlessly into God's presence? Do you know that God already sees that? Yet, my friend, he loves you anyway. He sees all that you are and is longing for you to look up to Him and give Him everything. Reach deep inside and find that courage to boldly enter His gaze-you will be shocked by what you find. You will find that the God of the universe is ready and willing to gladly accept you with open arms.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Leashes

By: Scott M. Ringo


Each morning I start my day thanking God for the peace and freedom from all entanglements that I have in Him.  On one particular morning while enjoying that thought a neighbor was walking his dog.  Dressed in a tie for work he patiently waited for his animal do the necessary things that dogs do on walks.  The dog sniffed the grass, deposited some items, checked out a flower, and rolled the grass.  I realized how unlike a dog the dog was actually being.  If the dog were not on the leash, it be running, rolling, dashing off, and possibly never come back?  I wondered who was actually on the leash the dog or the owner.

Pondering why the leash was necessary, a couple thoughts came to mind.  Domestication for dogs in captivity is necessary.  Domesticating a dog is training it to be a little less like a dog and a little more like a human.  Domesticating is also training the human to be a little more mindful the dog has needs and is never going to be human.  We as humans keep animals in an unnatural environment, mostly indoors, and in the box that we call home which is "our" comfort level.  We want companionship at a level that is convenient for us which causes unnatural rules and behavior for the animals we keep. 

Jesus blended into the common people and met them where they were bringing freedom to the captive.  For people like a blind man at a city gate, a woman at a well, and a man that had been dead for three days Jesus gave them all they had ever wanted.  From what we know of Jesus' daily life he had no set schedule, instead as He went about His day He gave the people that He came on their hearts wants.  Jesus did not have a special appearance but instead looked like those who were common.

When was the last time that we gave someone their hearts desire simply because they asked for it?  No leashes, no laws, no stipulations, only that which they want more than anything else and everything to carry out that desire.  Have you received your hearts desire lately?  I wonder if when we do things for people we do them with only our agenda and goals in mind.  Is it that we only do for others so we get something out of it ourselves?

Jesus' message to the religious rulers of his time was that, indeed, they were only thinking of themselves and not the people that they were serving.  In Luke 11:46 Jesus tells the religious leaders "You load people down with rules and regulations, nearly breaking their backs, but never lift even a finger to help." There is a similarity to the "leashes" we looked at earlier.  It is interesting that it was the common people who recognized Jesus for whom He was and the religious leaders, full of biblical knowledge who nailed Jesus to a cross. 

My Challenge to You
Is it possible for us to make an acquaintance with a person and our only motive being to serve them with what they need and want, never mentioning our position, our knowledge, or our needs?  Meeting human needs was a daily activity that Jesus, the Son of God was consistent in and still is today.  The religious leaders were full of book knowledge but when it came to meeting human needs, they crushed the people beneath religious demands but never willing to help.  Will you be a person who becomes a common person not bound up in religious laws and controls (putting leashes on people) and instead brings freedom to those who are in need of a miracle?  Be a person who makes your daily activities meeting human needs, giving God glory through your serving.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Full In Him

By: Adam R. Rinehart


Colossians 2

9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. (NIV)

“I only left for a few minutes.” I told my wife as I came home to find the inflatable pool that my daughter enjoys playing in overflowing with water. The waterfall from the top of the porch going down on the bushes below was indeed a site to behold. I placed the hose in the pool and then left to go to the church. I had not turned it full blast, but I will tell you that once water flows, it keep going until someone turns it off.


When we look at the fullness of Christ, and who Christ is, we know that He is both fully Christ and fully man. With that, we know also that Christ has filled us and we do not need anything or anyone else to sustain us. We are “full” or “complete” in Him! Our position as a child of the King is knowing that we are indeed full of Him!

Why is it then that we have trusted other forms of people or things to try to find that fullness that God overflows our hearts? We have placed that aspect to the test, and have asked, “What is the true meaning of life?” We have placed things that are tangible and things that are going to fade away into the place of our hearts where Jesus wants the fullness and wants to overflow Himself in us. We have to realize that when we look for the meaning of life, there is not other meaning or no other person that wants that hole in our hearts but Jesus because He is life and He is our everything.

Is Jesus your everything today? Is He the fullness that fills your heart? May we today take a strong look at our hearts and truly see that Jesus is our everything and overfills our hearts with His “fullness”. May God’s Grace Abound In You.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Self Control

By: Matt Crawford



"He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." (Proverbs 25:28)

Imagine a city with no walls and no defenses. The ruler of the city has neglected to fortify it, thinking "tomorrow I will build walls." The next day arrives, and again the ruler neglects the need.
Suddenly, thousands of foreign soldiers pour over the horizon, and the ruler realizes the grim reality: He allowed his own city’s doom. The enemy rushes in, plunders, rapes and destroys the entire city, and its ruler is put to shame and killed.
A believer with no self control is just like this ruler. Without self control, the devil can attack you at any time, with any temptation he pleases, causing you to be torn between God and sin. He will make you ineffective, with the eventual goal of stealing your joy, killing your witness, and totally destroying your life.

We must learn to control ourselves, to not give in to every urge of the flesh; Not just knowing what is right, but doing it. Without self control, we become ineffective, and God has no place for an ineffective servant in His kingdom.
The keys to gaining self control are constant prayer, reading the word of God, and fasting (unless health problems prohibit.) When you begin to do these things in dedication and sincerity, you will learn to control your flesh, your tongue, your behavior, and you will not fall away from the Light. But the one who does fall away, "My soul shall have no pleasure in him (Hebrews 10:38)."

[Soldier4Christ]

  A Bugs Life

By: Tony B. Rhoda


In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:6) NKJV

Only ten more minutes until the next class started. The concrete slab my school called a bench was looking fairly comfortable. After I took off my back pack and tried to get situated I looked down to notice a tiny bug crawling across the sidewalk.

At first I didn't pay much attention to the little guy. Then I noticed the poor fella kept turning every few seconds and continued to go in circles. Did he really not understand that the grass was only maybe five more feet in front of him? From where I sat I could see exactly where he needed to go. For nearly five minutes I sat and watched him. I seriously could not understand how difficult getting to the grass could really be. I mean it is just right over there!

When I walked into the class room I couldn't help but think of how God looks down on us from heaven. Now I understand the bugs problem. All he had to do was say, "Yo Tony, help a bug out here and show me where the grass is." I would have picked him up and put him where he belonged. But, I don't think that is possible. However, we can talk to God and ask for His help.

God is there and wants only what is best for you. We are clueless and have no sense of direction when we try to choose our own paths. It is when we decided to stop wandering in circles and give our lives to God that he will point us in the right direction. What are you waiting for?

God Bless and Keep The Faith.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Stock Market

By: Steven Self


Question:

My question is whether or not the Stock Market is correct for a Christian. Teachers in my school are always encouraging us to be active in the stock market because it will most likely help you, and I see it as a sort of gamble, and that`s a sin. Is it ok to participate in the stock market? Thanks & God Bless!!!

Answer:

While I would be concerned about you entering into the stock market in this economy, I wouldn't discourage you from ever getting into it.  The stock market is a risk, but it’s much different than gambling.  As a matter of fact, with good study and examination you may be able to make a good return on your investments.  Making money from the stock market is not much different than receiving interest on money you have in a bank account.  A well-placed investment may be very good stewardship of your money. 

The big mistake that is usually made is the importance that people place on their money and on their investments.  A couple of years ago when the stock market was falling, I know of several people who committed suicide because they lost a lot of money.  The hardest thing to do is to keep the right perspective on it. 

I would suggest the following, if you want to invest your money in the stock market first pray to see what God would have you do and ask Him for guidance as to what stocks to invest in.  Set aside a specific amount of money that you can afford to lose, never skimp on tithing, eating, or paying your bills to get this money.  This should be extra money that you had planned for entertainment.  Be very careful about listening to advise from stock-brokers and such, they make money whether or not you do.  They make money when you make a transaction.   

The world of investing is full of greed and deception, but the act of investing can be very rewarding (when you tithe, don’t forget where the money came from.)

[Soldier4Christ]

  Never Hopeless

By: Beth Hays


Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25) NLT

How many of you have looked at a Christian and thought to yourself "Why are they so upset? I thought they served this amazing God." (Note the sarcasm!) I know that before I found Christ I thought that way. I would see a Christian grieving and get mad because I thought they were hypocritical. Now, I'm not saying Christians aren't supposed to grieve. Quite the contrary...even Jesus cried. Pain is a very healthy emotion and I believe it's perfectly normal for a Christian to be upset...just not hopeless. You see, what I didn't realize was that these people were upset, yes, but that they were not without hope.

My life hasn't been easy (I don't think anyone's is), but I have never (since being a Christian) been in a situation that I didn't think God could make better. We say, as Christians, that we have this eternal hope. Now, let's act on it. Let's not give up on ourselves, or this world. Instead let's hold on to God's promise of His love.

And when our world seems so close to being hopeless, what should we do? Encourage others! Show others the hope in their lives. I guarantee that by doing so you will find hope in yours. Burst with love! Another way: hang out with other Christians. That's what church is supposed to be about, you know. Not just doing what you do every Sunday because mom says you have to, but also to fellowship (hanging out) and being encouraged by other Christians while keeping Jesus your focus.

So when life crumbles (and sometimes it will) turn to the promise of God, outbursts of your love, and the encouragement of Christian fellowship keep you full of hope. May you be strengthened today in Him!

[Soldier4Christ]

  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. But now it is almost over.  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]

  Seek Wisdom

By: Matt Crawford


"Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; keep her, for she is your life". (Proverbs 4:13)

There are several very important aspects of Christianity which the bible stresses repeatedly throughout the Old and New Testaments. One of these is wisdom. 
   
From my understanding, wisdom is something given by God, not something we already possess. Wisdom is spoken of all through Proverbs, and note Proverbs' author: Solomon. Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived, yet for all his wisdom he stresses the seeking of wisdom, and the "taking hold" of instruction.
   
Solomon was one of the greatest kings to ever rule God's people, because early on he relied not on his own wisdom, but asked God for a heart to judge Israel. After this he built Israel into such a great kingdom that nations everywhere paid tribute, and kings and queens came from all over to hear his wisdom.

Wisdom is necessary to understand scripture and to obey God's word. If you read the scripture without prayer for understanding, most of it will remain a mystery. On top of that, if you receive wisdom like Solomon, in the same way people will look to you for answers, advice, etc. Imagine the opportunities to share the truth of Jesus Christ that kind of wisdom would bring.

Stay buried in the scripture, praying for and using God's wisdom always. Solomon himself said that instruction is our life. If we don't seek, accept, and walk in wisdom, we will die. Hold fast to God's instruction, knowing that like Solomon eventually did in his old age, it is possible for you to lose sight of it and fall into destruction.
   

[Soldier4Christ]

  Crazy for God Right Now

By: Steven Self


1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but
to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

H-town's own Beyonce Knowles has a song on the radio right now called "Crazy
in Love".  In this song, she talks about how she's so in love with this guy
that she looks crazy to other people.  She says she doesn't care how she
looks because of the love she has for this person.  Do you see where I'm
about to head with this?

The person who truly loves God, does things that make them look stupid to
the un-saved world.  We act differently when we have a true faith in God.
Once we see how much Jesus means to us, we can't help but act this way.
Does God's love have you acting crazy right now?  Do you do things that
un-saved people can't understand?  Or are you fitting in with everyone else
in the un-saved world?

When we hear the word of God and truly get the understanding of what God has
done for us by sending His own Son to die for us, it produces a response of
faith.  This faith drives us to love and to do things for God that seem
goofy to the world.  Not that were trying to earn salvation, it's just that
we're so motivated to give back to God that we can't help ourselves.

Many teens have only inherited a religion from their parents, a few teens
have begun to own their own faith and grow in God.  Where are you?  Here's
how to tell.  If you go to church, but God doesn't make a difference in the
rest of your life, then you have just inherited a religion from your
parents.  If you have begun to own your own faith, you begin not to fit in
with your old friends anymore.  You begin to seek God's guidance on how to
handle problems in your life.  You begin to care about God's feelings when
it comes to you doing things your not supposed to do.  If you don't own your
own faith yet, then earnestly pray to God to show you what to do in order to
have your own faith.  He'll respond.  He wants you to be a part of His
kingdom.  Come on, what are you waiting for?  There is an eternal difference
in inherited religion and owned faith.  Only one leads to heaven.