Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  Say Yes To God



And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou haste spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.  11- And the Lord said unto him, who hath made man’s mouth?  Or maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind?  Have not I the Lord? (Exodus 4 10)
   
God has been calling me into the ministry, and I think He wants me to become a preacher.  One of my problems is public speaking.  I'm not good at speaking in front of people and for a while I have questioned God on why would he want me to be a preacher knowing I'm not good at speaking.  These verses are a very big encouragement to me.  God made my month therefore He will give me the ability to speak in front of people. 

These verses can be a big encouragement in any area of your life too.  See God wants to use His people in His work, and many times people think that they donut have the ability to do what God tells them to do.  For example, witnessing.  Moses said he couldn't speak, and God said I made mouths, therefore you can. That's powerful, God wont ask you to do something you cant do. 

So many times I have told God no.  God has used my youth minister to work in my life by asking me to give testimony, scripture readings, or prayer time in front of the youth, but I have told him no. This year is different, my resolution is to say yes, instead of no.  No matter what He asks me to do, I will be willing to do it.  I'm sick of telling God no, and I hope you are too.  It’s just not worth it. I hope this can be an encouragement to you, and just remember whatever God tells you to do, you can do it by the power of Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Unto The Least Of These



Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

Boy, do we have it good.  Roofs over our heads, food in our stomachs, clothes on our backs, cars to drive, beds to sleep in, and many more things that we all tend to take for granted, boy do we have it good.  We believe in a Savior that died on the cross for our sins and rose again so that we may have eternal life.  Boy, do we have it good. Salvation that takes us from our rotted sinful human nature that was given to us, not by the things that we have done, but given to us as a free gift. Boy, do we have it good.  I never realized how much I take that all for granted and how much I really have it good until last week while I was in Atlanta for a conference.

I had driven from where I was staying to the conference, and after I had parked about a block from the venue, I began to walk and get ready for the conference.  While on my way, I began to be followed by a homeless man, who wanted to ask me for money.  “Do I talk to him?”  “Do I just ignore him?”  “What if he gets violent?”  All of those questions began to run through my head.  I knew that he was following me and going to ask me for money, but I had none.  I was down there on a budget, and had to make every penny count.

Here he came.  Knew I was a tourist.  I stopped and asked him, “Why are you following me?”  He replied, “I need some money for a sandwich.”  OK God, What are you going to do here?  The Holy Spirit then came into my mind, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee.”  I said, “Man, I do not have any money, but what I do have, I will be glad to give you.  Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?”  He did not like that answer much, but wanted money, and then walked off.

My cousin says that most of them are looking for money for booze.  Others are looking for money for drugs, and most of them are homeless, and really need some serious help.  Is there an answer?  Is there a way to help them?  I know that there are many homeless shelters across the area, and it is my prayer that they will find them.

But, what does that have for us?  Friends, we really have it good.  When was the last time that you stopped and thanked God for what He has given to you, so that you do not have to suffer?  When was the last time that you helped someone that you knew was in need?  You see, you don’t have to give them money.  You have the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart and that would be the greatest gift that any one could give.  The message of salvation.  Won’t you take the challenge today, to really be thankful for what you have as well as find the time and the place in your heart to give that wonderful gift, the message of salvation?  May God’s Grace Abound In You.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Happiness

Happiness is something everyone longs for in this life. Everyone has an
idea of what would make him or her happy in life. Some think that popularity
will make for a fulfilled life. Some think power pleasure will appease the
longing in every human's heart. One of the most popular on the list of ways
to happiness is money. If I only had money all my troubles would go away. We
are led to believe that any one of these urges in our inner self will give
us a peace in our hearts.
   
Unfortunately we have all met people with one or all of these tools
veins to happiness. Are they happy? Have they settled down to a calm life of
peace? Look to Hollywood. Many stars throughout the history have had all of
these means to happiness. How many have ended up with either serious drug
addictions or death from suicide or other means. They have all of these
things and they are still not happy.
   
I remember in last year's English class we read a poem about a man who
is described by the narrator. The narrator tells how this man had everything
desirable in life. He even envied the man. The poem concludes with the
unfortunate suicide of the man that had it all. Elvis Presley and Marilynn
Monroe are some of examples that came to mind. They had it all but died of
drug overdoses. I guess my point is that worldly attempts at peace will not
work.
   
The Bible has a great deal to say about man�s attempts at happiness. I
believe that they can be condensed for our purposes down to four statements.
First, the worldly means to happiness leads to sorrow. Proverbs 14:13 says:
� Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth is grief. This
verse is saying that many activities that seem fun only bring pain and
sadness. Job 20:5 says: �the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy
of the hypocrite is but for a moment.� These forms of happiness pass away
quickly (also Luke 6:25).
   
The third point is that these forms of happiness lead to recklessness.
Isaiah 22:13 says: �But instead, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing
sheep, Eating meat and drinking wine: Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we
die!� In other words, why should we work because were one day we are going
to die. Have fun in life. Life should be just a big party. Unfortunately
this mind will get you nowhere fast. Psalm 17:14 and Luke 16:25 tell how
these pleasures end with this life. Not only will they not give peace now;
they reap no eternal benefits. This is especially exposed in the second
passage. This is a parable about a man that lived the life of a pauper but
trusted God. The other man rejected God and lived for the pleasures of life.
At death the tables were turned.
   
I would love to wait till next time to give God�s response, but I at
least must introduce it for those of you who do not know. If all of these
methods are void, what does give true happiness? To the unbeliever only a
complete trust in Jesus Christ will lead to lasting joy. A realization of
sin in your life, a belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and died for your sins
and will forgive them. Then you can have a fulfilled life. It will not solve
all of your problems or make life easy, but he will help you through your
problems. He will never leave and you will have the void filled in your
heart. You will also have an assurance of your of your eternal destiny in
heaven
   
To the believer happiness is found in the continued growth and love in
Christ. Next time I will go into more depth on God�s way to happiness.
Please respond. Thank you

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Golden Rule



Do unto others as you would have them do to you.  (Luke 6:31)

Yes, I know most of you have probably heard this verse hundreds of times but
the meaning is so simple that sometimes we don't understand it.  I think
most of you know what I mean about this.  We read this verse and know we
should treat others just as we want to be treated but we never think or want
to do that.

I was out working with my horse a while ago when my little sister came out
to work with her horse.  Instead of letting in just her horse she
accidentally let in 4 other horses! So I had to run about trying to catch
them before they went out of the yard into the road.  As I was running
around crazily my sister just stood there staring at me.  I started to stop
and yell as if to tell her get them herself since she let this happen in the
first place and besides I had better things to do than go chasing horses
around when this verse popped into my head.  "What you would have them do to
you." Would I want Laura to help me get them in or would I want her to leave
me to get them by myself?  Obviously I would want her to help so I could get
them all in before something else happened.

Just think of every situation and what you would want someone to do for you
and do that to others.  If your friend or family member needs something do
it.  You would want them to help you in the same situation right? We get
caught in situations that we could think of this verse and we don't every
day.  Make a decision now to start thinking of this verse in each and every
situation you deal with.

Through our kindness and consideration to what others are feeling and
thinking we will show Christ's love.  God's love will be shining through us
when we are doing His will and this verse is a command from God to us.  So
are we going to obey Him or just simply and conveniently forget His command?
It's up to you, what's you're decision?

[Soldier4Christ]

  Father Knows Best



For I know the plans I have for you," declares the
LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future. Jerehmiah 29:11 (NIV)
   
Are there times in your life when you wondered
why God does the things that He does? And when He does
them? I know I do. Lately God has been doing a lot in
my life and I think to myself "God, what are you
trying to tell me here? And why are you telling me
this now?"
   
God has His plan all worked out for us. He planned
our life even before we were born. His plans are
perfect even though we do not know what they are. His
ways are perfect even though they are not our ways.
   
Lately God has been teaching me a few things. I
got my hands on a copy of "Passion and Purity" by
Elizabeth Elliot last week. It was a book I had been
wanted to read for a while and was never able to get a
hold of it. But God placed it in my hands at the right
time.
   
Isn't it amazing how our Heavenly Father knows
when it is best to place things or people into our
lives? He gives us what we need at the right time. Our
Father does know best.
   
The challenge today is this, will you give up your
plans for God's? Will you let your Father who knows
best about your life lead you on? Will you let your
Father do things in His time instead of your time?

[Soldier4Christ]

  Greater Is Christ



"Greater is He (Christ) who is in you than he (Satan) who is in the world" 1 John 4:4 (NIV)

Christ is within you.  Satan is in the world.  This can give you great comfort when you are feeling torn and confused in life.  Christ being in you means that no matter where you go or what you do, He is with you.  Satan will throw out all kinds of things at you in your lifetime.  His purpose is to steer you from God.  With Christ in you, he can never do that.  Satan will tempt you and really try to confuse you.  He will show you things that look wonderful and great.  But the Christ in you can and will protect you from his deceptions.

I know a person who was so full of anxiety that all she did was worry. She was a loving Christian girl and wanted to do what was right for the Lord. But her constant worry to do the right things caused her to focus on the things of the world, the wrong things instead of letting God have control.  She always thought she was doing and saying the wrong things.  She became so insecure over these feelings, that the joy in her life stopped and was replaced with fear. Over time this woman was a mess.  To her dismay all she had to do was focus on the Christ that was in her and not on all of the things that were happening around her.  Satan enjoyed seeing her all confused and worried all of the time, this would keep her heart from joy of the Lord.  This woman ended up on medication for anxiety and even dropped out of social events that she once enjoyed.  The anxiety took at toll on her and her physical health was effected as well.  All she had to do was to see the "greater" picture, Christ was within her and all she needed to do was rely on Him.

What a simple lesson to lean after so many years of suffering.  Don't let this be you.
Pray to God to get true focus on Him every minute of every day. His power is within you, to strengthen you from anything that Satan or the world can throw at you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  For Everyone



Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Romans 3:29-30

Do you ever wonder, who is Jesus for? Do you ever think that there is someone who doesn't deserve Christ?
   
Paul writes to the Romans and tells them that Christ is for everyone, Jew or Gentile. It is the same today, Christ is for everyone. We may think that their are some people who need Him more than others or we may think that there are some that will never accept Christ. But, we need to remember that we are not in charge of people's hearts and that God is in control.
     
Is there anyone is your life that you think is impossible? If so pray about them. Pray for God to give you the faith to believe that He can do all things. After all God can move mountains. But remember Christ is for everyone, no matter who they are. So don't pass up an opportunity to talk to someone else about Christ today, you never know what might happen.

[nChrist]

Hello Pastor Roger,

Brother, I'm almost sure that I've thanked you before and told you that I enjoy reading devotions for teens. I find that they are just as good for people 3 times older than teens, and I want to thank you again.

3,000 people have enjoyed reading "Devotions For Teens", so many others also enjoy this devotion. GOD promises us that HIS WORD will never return void, so I pray that GOD has used these devotions to touch many hearts. It would be nice if others are copying this devotion and sharing it with their friends and family, and that would be reasonable to expect. So, we really don't know how many people will eventually read these and be blessed in many ways. We can simply trust GOD to use them and pray that they be used for HIS Glory.

THANK YOU BROTHER!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 119:11 NASB  Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

[Soldier4Christ]

  An Intimate Portrait



      Let's take a trip back 2,000 years in time. Are you ready? Great! Buckle up, here we go. Zooooooommmmmmmmmm! All right, we're here. It's Friday afternoon, the day they crucified Jesus. Look over there. That's Calvary. Can you see the three crosses in the distance? On the two outside crosses hang thieves. Then the cross in the middle, that's Jesus. Oh quick, look at the foot of the cross. You see that? Those are two Roman soldiers, they're gambling to see who will receive the clothes of Jesus. We have another name for Him though. We call Him Savior.

      Let's move in a little closer. You see those thorns pressing on the brow of His head? Can you see the blood dripping off His cheek? Why would anyone go through this type of pain? Oh, and the one thief. He knows he's dying. So, he mocks Jesus. Listen to what he's saying. "If you are truly the Son of God, why don't you save yourself and us." Wow, you know that's a good question. I wonder why?

      Oh, but look, the other thief is about to reply. "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnations? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he looks to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom." Those are powerful words. What is Jesus doing? Oh, He is about to reply. I wonder what He will say? Will He yell at him? Condemn him for all of his sins? No, not this Man. "Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

      To actually be able to see this event would probably bring tears to most men's eyes. Just the thought of someone going through this much pain, this much suffering for us, is unreal. I'm here to try and show you, and tell you that this is very real. Jesus died for us, and this Easter, we should take time to look over these events. Try and picture what took place. Try and grasp the events as they really happened.

      He loves us with a love that will never be matched. More than a friend or loved one. He died so that we can have eternal life. Not just any death either. He was nailed to a tree to hang a slow and painful death, but He did it for you, for me. Paul once said, "We are all sinners, of whom I am the chief." Paul knew how bad a Christian he was, and he knew that Jesus would cover all of his sins with His blood.

      If today you're not sure if you have been saved, if you're not sure whether you would go to heaven if the world would end today, or if you would die in an accident, I would love to be able to share the gospel of Jesus with you. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, then please don't take it lightly. If you're not living your life for Him 24/7, then change. He gave His life on a cross for us. The least we can do is give our hearts back to Him. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

[nChrist]

Pastor Roger Said:

If today you're not sure if you have been saved, if you're not sure whether you would go to heaven if the world would end today, or if you would die in an accident, I would love to be able to share the gospel of Jesus with you. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, then please don't take it lightly. If you're not living your life for Him 24/7, then change. He gave His life on a cross for us. The least we can do is give our hearts back to Him. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

AMEN PASTOR ROGER!

Our lives here are very short, even if we live to 80, but we could die at 15, 18, or even less. The Holy Bible tells us that we will either spend eternity in hell or eternity in Heaven, so our physical death here is not the end. GOD knows this, and that's why HE sent JESUS CHRIST to die on the CROSS for our sins. If we place all of our faith in JESUS CHRIST:

1 - Believe that HE was the SON OF GOD, VERY GOD and died on the Cross for us.

2 - Believe that HE was buried and arose from the dead on the third day.

3 - Believe that HE is our living Lord and Saviour.

4 - Confess our sins, pray for forgiveness, and ask JESUS CHRIST to be the LORD over our lives:

We will be SAVED and spend eternal life with JESUS CHRIST!

I hope and pray that every Christian around the world has great joy in telling everyone about JESUS.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Thanks be unto GOD for HIS unspeakable GIFT!, JESUS CHRIST, our Lord and Saviour forever!

Colossians 2:6-7 NASB  Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

I felt led to add the following precious Scriptures that tell of our eternal Life in JESUS.

John 1:1-4 NASB  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

John 11:25 NASB  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,

John 14:6-7 NASB  Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him."

Galatians 2:20 NASB  "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

1 John 1:1-4 NASB  What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life -- and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us -- what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Through Times Of Trouble



'Then the Lord's angel came and sat under the oak tree that belonged to Joash. His son Gideon was threshing some wheat secretly in a winepress, so that the Midianites would not see him. The angel of the Lord appeared to him there and said 'The Lord is with you mighty warrior!' Gideon replied 'If the Lord is with us why has all this happened to us? What happened to the wonderful things the Lord did for our forefathers? The Lord has abandoned us!' The Lord ordered him, 'Go with all your strength and rescue Israel. I myself am sending you.' Gideon replied But how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest and I am the least important member of my family!' The Lord said, 'You can do it because I am with you.' (Judges 6: 11-6)

Have you ever felt totally abandoned by God and wondered whether it was worth trusting in Him anymore? Just recently I have been wondering the same. I had decided to take up God's call to start a Christian band who's vision would be to bridge the gap between the Church and our generation. We prayed loads and we believe we now have the band line up God wants. We have been practicing and have done several concerts. God has promised us He wants to use us for something big.

However since we began the devil has tried his best to stop us. Most of the band have some sort of serious medical condition all of which have caused the grief recently and most of us have been in hospital with that. We have seen a break down in a relationship within the group causing a lot of hurt, we've had problems with brakes on cars, problems with families not supporting us or giving us more grief, operations canceled and I was feeling severely disillusioned, especially seeing I knew this was what God wanted me to do.

I cried out to God and asked Him why all this stuff was happening. I felt like God had abandoned us. A friend reminded me of Gideon's story. He had heard about what God had done in the past and yet he too felt God had now abandoned His people. The Midianites had taken Israel captive. However God was in everything that was happening and he used what little Gideon had and tested his faith. Later on in the story God cuts down the size of Gideon's army from 30,000 men to 300 men! It was doubtful that the 30,000 could have defeated the Midianites but Gideon had no choice he had to trust in God.

The story goes on to tell about how God used this small army to defeat the Midianites all because one man trusted in Him. When I was praying about my situation the only answer I received from heaven was ' Trust in me.'

It's a hard thing to do, responding to God's call, stepping out of your comfort zone and trusting totally in God. Are you willing to trust God through the tough times as well as the happy ones? God has already won the victory, we don't have to defeat the devil just resist him. He will do his best to destroy anything God has planned. It's up to us to stand firm in Jesus and put our trust in Him. But we are not on our own, Jesus will be with us every step of the way. Gideon felt small and insignificant but God used the little faith he had and used him to change the lives of those around him. He longs to do the same with us. And remember whatever God is calling you to do:

'The Lord is with you mighty warrior' judges 6 v 12

May you really know what it means to trust in God and may you feel His love and grace in your times of trouble.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Church is Boring



Hebrews 10:25 �Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.�   (NIV)

�I am having a really tough time going to church.  It is just so boring, but my parents make me go. Do you have any ideas?�

The alarm goes off and it is 7:30 AM time to get ready to go to Sunday School.  Pastor Pillow and Sister Sheets are calling their first hymn from Bedside Baptist and you turn over to hear Brother Mattress getting ready to ring the bell for the time of your sleeping in to come about.  Your body says stay in bed, and then your mother comes in and says, �Time to get up, we don�t want to be late for church.�  So, you roll yourself out of bed and look back at the Bedside Baptist wishing that you could hear the message one last time knowing that your day at church is going to be boring.

The tune sounds all too familiar huh? I know that when I was growing up, that was the normal feeling around my house on Sunday mornings.  I was told that no matter how late that I was out on Saturday night that I had to be in Sunday School on Sunday morning.  Mom always kept to that too.  But, how do we overcome being bored in church?  Is there a way?  Absolutely!

Friends, when it comes to being bored in church, I would have to ask you what are you going to church for?  Is it for yourself, or is it to glorify and worship God?  The mindset that we have when we go to church is ultimately what is going to make church either boring or beneficial.  I would encourage you to begin to pray that God would send a passion upon your heart to want to worship and serve him in the context of church.

Second, we have to remember that church is for exhorting and getting together with other believers to help our walks with God.  If we know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we want to be with people that are like minded as we are.  We want to encourage them, and watch them encourage us as well.

Next, ask yourself if the church that your parents are going to is really trying to reach you and not be boring.  I know that for some churches and some adults they are trying to feed the youth of their church, and when they are trying, we have to give them the respect that they are trying. Maybe they have hired a youth pastor, or have people who are leading.  What is you're attitude towards them?  But, if the church is spiritually dry, prayer is the key.

Finally, maybe you have never been taught how to get something out of church, or more importantly how to worship God.  I would encourage you too seek help on that and find out how.  It is my prayer that you will get a fire under you for the Lord that you have never felt in your life.  May God�s spirit convict you in your endeavor to worship Him. May God�s Grace Abound In You.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Coldest Of Times



Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) NKJV.

There is nothing better than after a cold day at school to come home and relax in the warmth of a hot tub. Living in Florida the only temperature is usually hot and hotter, but I had the chance to visit some relatives in Canada a couple of winters ago when there was snow on the ground. (By the way that's a Kodak moment when a Florida boy sees snow.)

It was late at night when a few of my cousins decided it would be great to go out side to their hot tub under the patio. Needless to say, I was all for it until I found out that their patio was outside and not closed in. I thought they were nuts. "You guys are going to go out side in the freezing cold to get into a hot tub?" Now to me this didn't make sense, but before I could say anything else they, were running outside with their swimming trunks on in 10 degree whether, making a mad dash for the Jacuzzi. Not wanting to be left out I tried to figure up a plan. Maybe if get a couple of pairs of long johns on and a ski jacket, along with some ear muffs and a pair of snow shoes, I could make it down the stairs before I became frozen solid.

Friends, we live in a world that is completely covered with snow. When we are away from God or haven't accepted Him as your savior your practically standing out side in your swimming trunks freezing. But Jesus is our Hot tub in the mist of the ice age that surround us. We can go to Him and find warmth in the coldest of conditions. Most of us have found Christ as our Savior. But some of you are sitting on the out side of the hot tub just dangling your feet inside while the rest of your body is cold. Jesus calls us to be full time Christians that means going under.

It's natural to stray at times, we all have done it. When you get out of the tub your body is still heated and you think your OK. But all it takes is a couple of minutes before the cold thrusts the heat out. Let's take the time out of our day to relax and enjoy Jesus, and talk to Him in prayer. You'll then realize how nice it can be to have the warmth of His love streaming through your body when everything else is so cold. God Bless and Keep The Faith!

[Soldier4Christ]

  If It's To Be



Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) NKJV.

Not too many people can argue that we live in a society that simply believes this: If it's meant to be, it's up to me. So many people today feel that the only way they can be a success is to depend on only yourself. "I can't trust anyone to get me through my life, I'm the only one that can change anything." This person is partly true. But also wrong.

As we went into the class room to talk strategy before our soccer game, the team was really getting pumped up. This was our last home game, and for me my last home game ever as a senior. So needless to say, we were getting pumped. As coach was giving the pep talk he looked up and in the class room hung a sign that simply said. "If it's meant to be, it's up to me." "Guys, nobody else can help you at this point. You have to go out there and give it your all. Don't look back and keep fighting till the final whistle blows," echoed the coach through the room.

For a soccer pep talk, I agreed mostly with this statement, but as a life application statement I think I would reword it some. Maybe to say something to this effect. "Guys, only God can help you at this point. You have to go out there and give it your all. Always look up and keep fighting till the final whistle blows."

Friends we better get pumped up for this game. There isn't a whole lot of time left and the game is tied. We need to put our whole heart and soul into this if we want to come out victorious. This is a team that doesn't quit, doesn't give up, and will keep pressing forward no matter how many bad calls we get. Because the great thing about this game is we already know who will be the winner. We just have to stick it out with all we have in the meantime. For when the game is over we can go back to the bench, sit down, and have a drink while the coach comes over and gives you a pat on the back and says, "Well done, good and faithful one." God Bless and Keep The Faith