Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  Updating The Bible

By: Steven Self


Why don't they update it so it can be used in my life today?


Answer:

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The truth of the matter is that the bible is very relevant for our lives today.  Many people look at an exact story and say "This isn't speaking about modern living"  The examples in the stories somtimes may not be, but the ideas are just as valid today as they've ever been.

Many people don't believe in the bible, even some Christians.  The reason for this is simple.  We have an enemy who is trying to trick us into believing the bible isn't real so we won't follow it's teachings.  He's succeeded with some people.  If you don't believe in the bible, then ask God for guidance and spiritual discernment to know the truth.  The bible is the truth.  Period. 

Humans have a hard time accepting the fact that we're not the one's in charge of the world.  The fact is that God is in charge.  We can't control weather, sickness, or death but God can.  We don't really want to face the fact that we are accountable to the One who made us.  There is a God who formed us and made us and who we'll need to answer to.  He gave us the bible for 3 reasons.  1 - To know Him, 2 - So we would know the truth, 3 - it's a road-map to show us how to live.

God loves us very much and He would never make us go somewhere blind or without guidance.  He's given us the bible to help us along in our life.  When you read the bible, it begins to speak to you.  The bible will help you learn God's will for your life and help you to see what He wants you to do.  God uses the bible quite often to speak to people, He uses it to speak to me several times a week.  If you can't see how the bible can work for your daily life then pray to God and ask Him to show you this stuff as you read through it.  Pray that prayer everytime you read the bible and you'll be amazed at how much you begin to see fromt the bible that you never noticed before.  The most amazing thing that will happen is that you'll find out that the bible truly is relevant to your life in 2007, 2008 and so on.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Living In The Shadow

By: Beth Hays


Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1) NLT

   
I seem to live in a cycle. I get really close with God and my life seems to be pretty close to perfect. I am overwhelmed with joy and in constant contentment. Then, something happens. And I get mad. Well, sometimes it's more sad than angry. But, nonetheless an intense emotion redirects my attention from god to my circumstances. Then, I start stressing.

When my life is all well and good, I seem to find perfect peace. Why? I was standing in the presence of God. While I'm in His presence and let Him invade my life, I look through His eyes and gain a joy that no circumstances can touch. But, when I look at my life, and lose sight of Him, I crumble. I can't even function because I am no longer in God's shadow.  I am overwhelmed with life and long for rest.

That rest is found only in LIVING in His shadow. Notice that it doesn't say run in and out of God's shadow. We're not supposed to be constantly leaving the presence of God. We're supposed to be living there. Are you? Just recently, I've learned how to stay in His presence. Have you found that place in Him? All you have to do is seek Him

[Soldier4Christ]

  Keep On Keeping On

By: Adam R. Rinehart


Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:13-14)


When an inventor is trying to invent a new product, or a new idea that will change the world, there is usually a lot of trial an error. Biographies have written that it took Thomas Edison over nine hundred tries before he got the light bulb to finally work. Nine hundred times of going through the trouble of making a light bulb, plugging it in, flipping the switch and watching the lifeless piece of glass do absolutely nothing, or the wire burst into millions of tiny pieces. People must have thought that he was nuts, but he kept trying time after time. Most of us do not realize how many failures and the depression that people go through before they ever succeed in the dreams and ideas that they wish to accomplish.

Friends, that is the way it is with our lives, and the life of living for Christ. We have all dealt with depression and the failure. We have all found ourselves going through failure, and some of us through the depression and failure before we ever find ourselves in any type of success. The problem is that we let these failures and our past lead to emotions, the emotions lead to depression, and the depression lead to a victory for Satan.

Most Christians in one way or another have failed in their walks with Christ, but they would not be here to talk about it if they had just sat and let the failure get the best of them.

The solution is quite easy to talk about, but can be quite difficult to put into practice in our lives. BUT, we HAVE to forget about our past and keep running our race. Paul did. Even though he had his faults, blunders, and failures, he forgot about the past and stayed totally committed to Christ in the race that he was running. He never gave up. That is what we need to do if we fail or feel depressed.

Being committed to Christ does not always mean that we are going to be successful, but it does mean that we are to forget about the past and hang in there, learn from our mistakes and get back up and do our best in the race before us. Remember, if you are feeling like a failure and feel depressed today, I would encourage you to ultimately seek Christ, but also to find a friend that you can share it with, and let's not let Satan have any victories whatsoever in our lives. 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]

  Parents Divorce

By: Steven Self


My parents were supposedly Christians, but they got divorced.  What’s going to happen to them now?

Malachi 2:16 (the Message)
"I hate divorce," says the GOD of Israel. GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says, "I hate the violent dismembering of the "one flesh' of marriage." So watch yourselves. Don't let your guard down. Don't cheat.

Divorce is a very terrible event that hurts everyone involved.   Over and over again, the bible speaks out against divorce.  The bible even says divorce is a form of violence.   In the above verse God says “I hate divorce”.  But God doesn’t hate divorce because marriage was something that He thought of and wants to make us stick to.  God hates divorce because of how badly it hurts his children. 

I can understand you being upset with your parents over this, but we all make mistakes as Christians.  How many times have you done things that don’t really glorify God since you’ve become a Christian?  You know the one thing that Christianity has that no other religion shares?  Grace.  We are the only one’s given grace.  Since we have that going for us, shouldn’t we be majoring in Grace?   Divorce is so hard, we really need to be showing them all the grace we can.  Giving them grace doesn’t mean you agree with what they’ve done.  It simply shows you love them as God loves you.

Divorce is not the unforgivable sin in Christianity, but it is sure tearing America up.  With the divorce rate soaring to new heights, America is finding itself to be a place of no family values.  Families don’t eat together, children aren’t disciplined the way they should be, children aren’t showing any respect for others because the adults aren’t showing any respect for each other.  While many of you don't have control over whats happening now, you can control what will happen in your own life.

Divorce is a terrible occurance.  Today, if you are going through the pains of divorce, I want you to know something.  God loves you and will help you through it.  Your life might have been turned upside down, but God can help you to turn it upright again.  You may be facing horrible pain and upset inside right now, but God will give you the peace your looking for.  Pray to Him right now for guidance and for help.  He doesn’t want you to suffer through this alone, He wants to help you with it.  He will.   Divorce hurts all involved, but God is big enough to heal everyone and make them better than they were before.  I should know, I’ve walked through it myself.  You asked what would happen to them now, with any luck they will be shown grace and love by those who surround them.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Known Destiny

By: Beth Hays


Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny. (Eccles. 6:10) NLT

When I was 14 God made it clear to me where he wanted me in this world. I was very fortunate to learn, by a string of events, that god wanted me to go into youth ministry. Now, if you are one of those people who doesn't believe that girls should be in ministry, take it up with God. I am not a biblical scholar. I simply know how to recognize the voice of my Shepherd and try to follow it.

So, anyway, God told me what he wanted me to do. Well, I had issues with this. You see, when I became a Christian I promised God that I would do anything for him, except be a minister. When He told me to love His kids, I said OK as long as I didn't have to speak in front of people. Haha. God doesn't listen. I suppose that is because He is the one who calls the shots. He gave me tons of opportunities to speak in public...and then told me to use them.

Then, as I was trying to get out of going into youth ministry God took me to a youth conference. The speaker talked about being called into ministry and gave an altar call. Man, even had I resisted I think I'd been drug up to that altar by the Spirit inside of me. Wow! I've never felt such a strong pull. I had argued for years...and I was finally ready to accept God's will for me. Since that day he has molded and shaped me so much that I'm no longer dreading my future, bu instead longing for it to be truth. I want to minister...and yes, I even want to speak. I am ready to be God's hands in this world.

God is going to call us to do some pretty crazy things. They probably won't be what you had in mind for yourself. But, your future was known long ago. God has known all along what you will be. So, stop arguing and start submitting. He really does know what's best for you! Trust your Dad in heaven today!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Wearing God-Glasses

By: Steven Self


Matthew 6:22-23 (The Message)
"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder
and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed
and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your
windows, what a dark life you will have!

Do you or anyone you know have to wear glasses or contact lenses?  If so,
you know that a person that needs to wear them has a huge problem seeing
without them.  I know people who are blind as a bat without them, some can't
see 2 feet in front of their face.  They need to wear them so they can see
and focus on the things they need to do. 

Our Christian life is like this.  We need to wear our God-glasses if were
going to see what God wants us to do.  When we don't focus our eyes on God,
we end up focused on other things like pornography, drugs, alcohol, sex,
money, popularity, secular music, skimpy clothes and all that stuff.  The
big problem is that when we put our God-glasses on, Satan runs by and knocks
them off.  If were going to keep our eyes on God, it turns into a constant
struggle.  Satan is a bully and will do whatever it takes to keep us as
blind as possible.

Satan loves to take our weaknesses or things that particularly interest us
and use them against us, over and over.  The more he can keep us running
around in a circle, the less we are able to actually walk a straight line
for God.  Satan is really good at this stuff.  He starts things out easily,
but they only get harder.  He slowly tricks you and leads you down the path
that he wants you to follow, by the time you realize where you are, your
overwhelmed with the situation your in.  His biggest secret is getting your
attention.  Once he owns your attention, he owns you.

That's why Jesus says here that if you focus on God-stuff, you'll head in
the right direction.  But if you let yourself focus on these other things,
you head in the direction Satan wants to take you in.  What has your
attention, has you.  What has your attention today?  What are the things you
focus on and chase after?  Are they God-things or has Satan gotten you off
track again?  If you realize that your God-glasses have been knocked off,
then simply put them back on.   Don't let him make you think that you have
to get on your hands and knees and search for them.  See Satan can knock
them off, but God never allows them to go further than your hands.  They are
in your hand, simply put them back on and ask God to point you back in the
right direction.  He'll do it, He loves you and wants you to follow Him.
You are special to God, He loves to help us back to the right path.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Beat Down

By: Ben Lippens


1 Peter 5:8 - "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

A few years ago, I flew out to Florida to minister at a Youth Event. Since we had a few days before the event itself, the Event Coordinator decided to show me some of the sights of Florida. Upon our departure from an amusement park, an argument broke out between two large men. One man was crossing the street with his (based on assumption) sister, wife, and infant. As they crossed the street with the infant in its stroller, a car drove up and the driver -- shouting obscenities -- demanded them to get out of the way. The other man saw it necessary to protect his family, but the driver was insistent on a fight. Pushing came to shoving, shoving came to hitting, and hitting came to wrapping a Road Block Barrier around the drivers head.

It was as if the driver waited for this man come to a crossroad before engaging into battle. Reality is, Satan is real. He is steady creeping around waiting for you to get to a crossroad before he attempts to beat you down. As a hunter waiting for its prey, Satan will go for the slowest, most weak creature. By living a life that is not devoted to God, you wave the white flag and fall to the ground -- waiting for Satan to shred your life to pieces. This scripture points out how you can protect yourself: Be self-controlled and alert. Be aware of your spiritual status, watch for areas of your life that fall short, tighten up loose ends. If there is a place for evil to rear its head, it will. Ephesians 6:13-18 gives Christians a description of the things God has given us to protect ourselves. Upon reading this passage, notice that in the description of the armor, NOTHING protects the backside. Why? Because God does not desire you to run, but to "Stand Firm in your faith." Also notice that there is ONE offensive tool, the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.

Wisdom is extremely valuable. Being able to pass on wisdom may mean saving someone's life. Just as police use lights and sirens to notify folks that they are en route to an emergency, use your spiritual wisdom to notify others about the reality of Satan. He's there and He's ready to rock your world. Know that with God...You can ROCK HIS!!!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Imprisoned Hearts

By: Beth Hays


So he went and preached to the spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:19) NLT

Frantically, you pound your fists against the cold, hard metal.  You don't know what got you here and you don't know how to escape. A windowless room surrounds you. It's dark and scary. Feeling trapped is an understatement. So, you scream at the top of your lungs and you only hear laughter in return. You're in prison.

No, not all of us are in a physical prison, surrounded by iron bars and stuck eating gross food. We have the freedom to walk around this world and make our own choices. But, far too many of us live in an emotional prison. We live behind bars. Those bars have names you know. Some of us are trapped by fear, some shame, some guilt, some bitterness. Others are behind depression, abuse, or addiction. These feelings control us, and hinder us from experiencing life fully.

God didn't come for those who walk around this world without burdens and shackles. He didn't come to have casual conversation with those who were perfect. (As if there are such people anyway!) He came to those whose spirits are in prison. He didn't mean a physical prison...though He loves them too. He means emotional prisons. He came to unbind your ankles and remove your shackles. He came to set you free.

If you are living in an emotional prison, invite God into your situation. Ask Him to set you free and stand in confidence that He will be with you all the way. You don't have to stay in your prisons walls...even if they are self-built. "So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free." (John 8:36) NLT Jesus is waiting to set you free...truly free. He has the power to make those walls crumble. May you find His amazing freedom.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Unique

By: Scott Michael Ringo


What are your passions?  It may take a minute to think of what your passions are the reason might be that it is rare when someone asks that question.  We are asked how we are, or how we feel, but usually not questions that probe as deep as what passions we have. 

God does care what your passions are because He put them there to guide you through your life in the way that He made you.  God does care that you enjoy what you do, where you live, how you spend free time.  God made you unique and He wants you to enjoy that uniqueness.

David acknowledges to God in Ps 139:13 -15
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous- and how well I know it.  You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book."

Those delicate inner parts that God knit together to make you includes your emotions, your likes, your dislikes, even what you enjoy for fun. 

All of us have times in our lives that we just do not feel like we are worth much, and everything seems to be going wrong.  Some of us may have those times of defeat more often.  At a time when David was being hunted down by his enemies and was feeling down about his life and his choices he remembered that God made him unique.  David also took comfort in knowing that God had already planned the very day that he was living.

My Challenge to You
Take a moment and acknowledge to God that you are thankful that He made you as you are.  God has some radical things planned out for you to experience and enjoy in your life, today is completely planned for you.  Next time your feeling down about yourself or your decisions remember God made your life and you as unique as anyone else’s, enjoy who you are. Take some time today doing something that is unique to you and your passions.

[Soldier4Christ]

  You Matter (Plus Praise Report)

By: Steven Self


Matthew 5:5 (The Message)
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less.
That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't
be bought.

Our teenage years are filled with frustration, pain, anguish and growth.
And that's the easy part.  To say the least, its not an easy time of our
lives.  But our teenage years are the years we find out who we are.  They
are very important to us and teach us a lot, if we're even able to make it
through these severely trying times.  Some sadly don't.

The world paints a picture to us of what success is.  They say success is to
be rich, good-looking, skinny, in shape, to have the coolest of clothes, to
have seen the newest movies, to have the newest things and to be popular.
When we don't reach these expectations, we feel like losers.  We feel like
were not successful and don't measure up like the rest of the world (like
they measure up either). 

This scripture verse tells us not to worry about what we have or don't have,
or the way we look or don't.  It gives us permission to be happy with
ourselves because of who we are.  God made us each very uniquely.  He made
us so special that no one else in the world is just like us.  Other people
may have similar traits or interests, but no one else is just like us.  God
made us each to be individuals. 

You may not measure up to what the world says is success.  But dear child of
God, you do measure up to what God calls success.  God made you to be who
you are, dig in to that and find out where your niche is.  Don't try to
fight against it by trying to reach the world's version of success.  Just
like the ZOEgirl song "plain" says.  "You are a jewel, you're a treasure,
you are one of a kind and you shine just as bright as the stars in the sky.
You're a rare kind of wonder created just right, so keep your head up over
the pain, there's nothing about you that's plain."  Once you realize how
special you are to God and the big plans He has for you, you'll realize how
important you really are. 

 

[Soldier4Christ]

  When The Storm Rages On

By: Tony B. Rhoda


* Read Mark Chapters 3-4 *

Peter wipes a drop of sweat off his face as he dips the oar into the still waters of the sea. The boat gently descends into the sunset as another day comes closer to an end. He listens to Matthew and Philip talk about the morning. A smile breaks Peter's face, as Andrew recalls that Jesus, who is fast asleep at the stern, healed the man with the withered hand.

"And the look on the Pharisees' faces was just priceless," Phillip chuckles.

"What a day," Peter thinks to himself, feeling the blister on his heel from the trek to the sea. The multitudes of all different types and from many cities came just to hear the voice of the one we call "Son Of God."

"What a blessing, He has been to us all," Matthew states, "to think that Jesus would ever want something to do with a low down tax collector."

"Like two poor fishermen are any better," Andrew adds, looking over to his brother Peter.

A gentle breeze sweeps over the boat as Peter stokes the waters with oar. A gray cloud emerges out from the top of the mountains. James turns around.

"Looks like a little sprinkle is heading our way, better grab an oar and let's get to the other side before it hits."

As the wind starts to pick up, the beautiful sunset takes cover from the growing darkness of clouds from the horizon. A wave splashes over the side unto Peter's tunic. "Come on guys, let's pick up the pace," Matthew yells. The boat tilts to one side as it gets tossed to and fro with each passing wave. "Everyone stay centered in the boat, try and keep it still," James says.

"We're taking on water," Andrew frantically screams. The rains start to beat down on their faces as the waters become rough. White caps of the waves flood into the boat as a clap of thunder sounds overhead.

"Quick, let's get this water out of here, we're going under." Peter looks around not knowing where the voices are coming from, just doing his best to keep the boat moving. Fear grips every nerve in his body as fate may have found its day for his life.

"Help!" Peter turns around, his brother was hit by a wave and was hanging on to the side of the boat. "Andrew," Matthew yells as another wave throws him back in from the other side. Climbing back onto the boat, Andrew dives over to Jesus. He grabs his shirt and shakes him. "Teacher, don't you care that we are going to DIE!?!?"

Already awake and aware of the situation Jesus rises, and rebukes the wind and the clouds and says to the sea, "peace, be still." He looks around at the disciples, each soaked, scared and in disbelief. Not knowing whether to be thankful or angry, they stand there dazed by the events. The silence was broken, "Why are you so fearful, how is it that you have no faith," Jesus asks.

A silence fell over them. "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him," they thought.

Has there ever been a point when a storm came out of nowhere to flood your life? A time when there seemed to be no hope in sight? Jesus could have sat there and lectured the disciples, or shared with them of how little faith they had, but that would have solved nothing. With the heart that we all want to have, Jesus asked a simple, humbled, question. "Why are you so fearful?"

We are going to go through trials. Times when you want to be on the floor yelling at Jesus asking Him, "Do You Care About Me?" Just remember that He does know what is going on at all times and will never let you take on more water than you can handle. Rejoice that we serve an awesome God. God Bless and Keep The Faith.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Illuminated In Darkness

By: Beth Hays


In less than a week I lost four of the most influential people in my life. None of them are lost forever, but they no longer hold the roles they once did. First, two of my youth leaders, a couple who has known me since I was in junior high, called and informed me they were leaving our church. They would no longer be the vital parts of my life they once were. I was devastated and confused. I had no idea why any of this was happening. Then, my beloved youth pastor informed me that she was also not going to be with us any longer. This amazing spiritual mentor who had been such a precious gift to me was going to be 45 minutes away. To top it all off, my best friend went back to France. My spiritual leadership dissolved in less than 7 days!

To say the least, it was devastating for me to lose my support system, and the close relationships I had. I doubted God, yelled at Him, and even threatened Him. I tried to do all I could to change it. But, of course, it didn't work. I went through the stages of grief-anger, sadness, loneliness, etc. And finally I turned to God and cried. As I was reading, this verse stood out to me: You have taken away my companions and loved ones; only darkness remains (Psalm 88:18) NLT I did feel like I was in darkness. I didn't no how to escape this. I felt abandoned.

But, as I was reading God's word a couple of days later God brought this verse to me: But even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you. (Psalm 139: 12) NLT yes, I may be in darkness...but it's not dark to God! He still sees me! He knows my pain and is still with me all the way. I may be abandoned and alone, but I'm still standing in light in God's eyes. And because of that, I'm not alone at all.

I know sometimes life can seem unbearably lonely. I know that when life crumbles we feel like we walk along in darkness. But, remember that God looks at you and sees you illuminated in the midst of darkness. May you find comfort in His amazing light!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Fire Dance

By: Scott Michael Ringo


In many tribal cultures, there are dances and rituals that members perform to please the gods they worship. Ceremonies for rain, cleansing rituals, sacrifices, and even fire dances keep their schedules full making sure their gods are happy and not mad. 

It is as easy to make our walk with God complicated.  We can as easily make the bible so complicated that it is hard to tell when the writing is right side up.  The "fire dances" of the bible keep us so caught up we can barely face God daily, not sure if we are in good standing or not.  While there is a few basic principles set forth for us to follow in the bible, they are there to ensure that we live a life that restores us to God's loving arms.  They are not there to keep us performing a "fire dance" afraid at any moment that God's judgment will find us lacking in a performance or fear of failure.

God has already judged the world including us, other than death; we are worthy of nothing else.  Nevertheless, God has restored us to Him through His son Jesus.  Christ's death on the cross for us is the only performance we will ever need for God's love. 

God does not want our performance, neither does God want ceremonies designed to get His approval of us.  God wants us to just believe that He has our lives under His control and to live out the basics.  God calls us to live out the basics and then believe that He will carry out the details of our lives.

Jesus said, "The first in importance is, 'Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.'  And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' There is no other commandment that ranks with these."  Mark 12:29-31 (Message)

The simple basics are to believe in God with all of our hearts, soul, and strength and to show everyone we meet His love. 

Part of maturing as a Christian is to enjoy the freedom that God has everything in His control.  What may have looked like mistakes in the past are springboards to put you where He wants you to be today.  It is impossible for anything to go wrong and nothing can be out of control when they are God's plans.

My Challenge to Us
We need to stop fretting about the past and areas where we have failed.  There are no complicated "fire dances" that we need to perform and no intricate   God's plan for us is simple and the path that we are to follow is basic.  We need to believe that God is everything to us with finality.  Second, we need to love Him with all we have and love others as much as we love ourselves.  Everyone that made an impact for God in the bible did so by getting back to the basics that God designed for us.  It is not hard or complicated, we just need to decide today to be mature and simply do what He has told us.   

[Soldier4Christ]

  What Are You Looking For

By: Adam R. Rinehart


For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Candid Camera is beginning to show old episodes on PAX TV now. I think
that if you want to see a show that makes me laugh really hard it is that
and the Jamie Kennedy Experiment which are both shows that play practical
jokes on people out of the middle of no where. Sometimes they are setup.
Jamie Kennedy is a little more off the wall because he dresses up
himself.

In an old Candid Camera episode, an actor is on a busy sidewalk and
begins to look at the ground. He walks around a bit and continues to look
down. People are passing by him and a few give him strange looks. After a
couple minutes, he decides to get down on his hands and knees and begins
feeling around with his hands. People begin to slow down and watch what
he’s doing. Finally, one person stops and starts looking at the ground.
Then another one begins searching the sidewalk.

In a few minutes, the camera shows about a dozen people looking down,
some even on their hands and knees! At that point, the actor, who got all
this started in the first place, quietly gets up and walks away. No one
else notices that he has left. They're so intent in their search that
they never even bothered to ask what it was they were looking for. This
is a good picture of how many people live and think in our society today.
They're searching for something because they know there’s got to be more
to life.

You know some of us may be reading this devotional today, and say, “What
are you talking about? My life is the same old stuff, but a different
day! I've maintained. I've continued in my walk with Christ. What more
could you ask?”

Live for Christ! So many of us have thought that since I'VE have asked
Jesus as my personal Savior, that is it. No, it is a daily striving and
working for the Lord to see others come to know Him as their personal
Savior. It is dying to the sin that so entangle us.

Friends, Paul had it right when He said, “For me to live is Christ, and
to die is gain” His life revolved around Christ. When someone would
mention the name “Christ“, Paul would light up! When you talked about
working, striving, and letting Christ be the potter of your life, that
was right down Paul’s ally. We have to do the same! We have to have
passion for Christ and that living for Him. There truly is more to this
life, and we can find exactly what we are looking for to fill the void.
Christ! May God’s Grace Abound In You.