Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  Being Intimate


Question:

I'm wondering how intimate a boyfriend and a girlfriend get? A person at
church once told me that couples before marriage souldn't be intimate at
all. Is that right?


Answer:

Jeremiah 1:5a (NIV)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;


A couple got married a couple weeks ago. (BIG DEAL RIGHT?) Well, check this out. The Groom was the son of an elder in a church, the bride was the daughter of
the minister of the church.  Throughout their entire dating life, they were
never alone, they always group-dated, they were always around other people.
They had never done anything more that simple quick little kisses (pecks)
because they had never put themselves in a position where temptation could
overcome them.  The first time either one of them kissed (more than a little
peck) was at their wedding, the first time either one of them had sex was on
their wedding night. (THIS IS A TRUE STORY!!! REALLY!!!)

Normally, when people leave a wedding they discuss how beautiful the bride
was or how pretty her dress was (I don't, but my wife does).  After this
wedding, no one talked about the bride or the dress or the flowers, or
whatever else people talk about....everyone was focused on the couple's
purity.  Everyone was amazed and inspired at how well they lived their lives
and how well they handled their dating life.  WHAT AN AWESOME TESTIMONY OF
GOD'S GUIDANCE!!!!!

I could answer your question by using verses about purity and sexual immorality, but I am praying this answer will give you a better understanding of God's view.   The true answer to intimacy prior to marriage is that it is not God's will and it doesn't glorify God.  Most teenagers don't agree with this, but God's will is His will, I didn't agree with it when I was a teenager either. 

Dating is a time for you to find a person that matches God's criteria for your life.  Please remember that God loves you more than you love yourself, and He has BIGGER and BETTER plans for you than you could EVER have.  That's why I used that bible verse, because God has a plan specifically for you.  You get to see this plan, when you follow His will.  The best part about this is, if you put your dating life in His hands, He will deliver to you someone better than you could have ever asked for or imagined.

God GAVE us our sexual desires, He GAVE us our need for intimacy, but just like everything else, these are enjoyed MOST when they are used in the proper setting.  Satan takes all these emotions and uses them against us, he makes us believe that if we don't "get intimate" with someone then we don't truly love them.  The truth to this is that if you get intimate with someone before marriage, you don't love God enough to follow His will.  God designed our bodies and mentalities specifically to use intimacy to strengthen a marriage. 

You'll never forget your first kiss, you'll never forget the first time you had sex, the idea is for these firsts to be with your spouse after entering a covenant relationship between you both and God (marriage).  We're designed to have strong feelings for those we are intimate with.  That's why it's sooooo terrible when a couple that has been messing around or having sex, breaks up.  Our emotions are designed to know that when we are intimate with someone, we are supposed to be with that person for the rest of our life.

God loves you and wants the best for you.  He has a specific order for the way He wants you to live your life.  Intimacy before marriage is not part of His plan.  I promise you if you wait until you are married to do these things, you will enjoy them a million times more than you would in a dating relationship.  And better yet, you will see them the way God TRULY intended them to be in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Back To Egypt


Numbers 14:1-4 (NLT)
Then all the people began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their
voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron. "We wish
we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!" they wailed. "Why is
the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives
and little ones will be carried off as slaves! Let's get out of here and
return to Egypt!" Then they plotted among themselves, "Let's choose a leader
and go back to Egypt!"

God has such wonderful things planned for us in our lives.  But we work so
hard to try to stifle what God has for us by not believing that He will be
faithful to His word.

This story is about the Israelites, who God delivered (By many miracles)
from being slaves (treated very harshly) in Egypt, and brought them across
the desert to the promised land.  God had done miracle after miracle and
shown them His love and power to them over and over again.  But when they
got to the promised land, they saw impossible odds that had to be overcome,
and instead of believing God to be faithful to His word, they doubted Him
and wanted to go back to being slaves in Egypt.

We can look at this and remark "Can't these people SEE what God was doing??"
  We have to remember that hind-sight is always 20/20.  WE KNOW THE
OUTCOME!!  They were going through it, they didn't know the outcome.  God
punished them for their unbelief but He did eventually let the Israelites
into the promised land, because He PROMISED He would do it.  God is ALWAYS
faithful, ALWAYS truthful, and ALWAYS with you.

When your facing impossible odds that don't seem there is any way to win,
remember that if God is leading you to do something, that He will MAKE it
possible for you to conquer it.  Faith in God wouldn't be faith if you never
had to TRULY rely on Him.  Whatever odds you are facing today, remember that
God will always be with you on your walk to the promised land, there may be
some obstacles in the way, but don't worry, God will get over them, around
them or through them.  After all, can you name anything that is too big for
God to handle??  I can't either.

[Soldier4Christ]

  A Godly Influence


You are to influence them; do not let them influence you!
(Jeremiah 15:19b) NLT


We are in a world that is filled with sin. We are surrounded by groups of hateful people. We see the cliques at school who will do anything and everything to demolish their "friends" reputations. We see the gossipers who lie about others to make themselves look better. We see people so full of prejudice that there is physical violence. Hate.... pure hate.

We are called in this very dark, hurtful place, to be messengers of kindness. Not an easy thing to do, is it? No. It is NOT easy to look someone in the eyes and show them kindness after they have slaughtered your reputation, or broken your spirit. It is one of the hardest things we are called to do.

Sometimes it seems so easy to give in to their ways. It seems like it would make us feel so much better to yell back, or seek revenge. It would make us look better or give us the friends we desire if we would do what they do, even though it is wrong. Yet we are called by God to not let their hurtful behavior influence our actions and attitudes. We are called to run away from that sin...and turn to God.

Yet, God takes it a step further. He commands us, not asks, commands, to go into this dark, scary place and influence them. He asks us to be an example worth following, so that our zeal and unconditional love influences them to do the same. It is said that the world can be changed one heart at a time...I believe that with all of my heart. Are you ready to make a difference for eternity? Start in your home, school, and workplace. Start where you are. Be an example.... and just wait...soon you'll see the fruit of your labor.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Sticking To The Facts

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NIV)
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.  For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

Christians are afraid to witness and share the Word of God with other people because they think that they don't know enough or that they wouldn't say it right.  If you don't feel you know enough, read the bible more.  If you don't feel you'll say it right don't worry, pray for God's guidance.

When you witness God's love and when you share the gospel of Christ, God will work through you.  You may think that you sound terrible, but more than likely God is putting the words in your mouth so you can tell the person exactly what they need to hear (God knows that stuff).  If you are being faithful and trying to share Jesus with someone else, He WILL work through you.  It doesn't matter WHAT you sound like to yourself, its what is said to the hearer.

Don't worry about trying to sound like you've got a doctorate in theology, Jesus is much smarter than anyone of us and I can't recall Jesus using any words that I don't understand.  We need to make the gospel as easy to understand as possible, we want to save lives for God, not make ourselves look good.

The truth of Jesus is powerful enough without us feeling like we have to doctor it up or make it sound better.  Nobody doctored it up to cause you to believe did they?  The mere fact that Jesus came to earth and lived a sinless life and died a terrible, painful and horrifying death so we would have the CHANCE to go to heaven, is powerful enough.....don't stick your neck out, just stick to the facts.  The facts of Jesus are where the power is, not in our creative ways of expressing it.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Accident

By Jesse Rowe
17 Year old senior in high school, award winning essay.                                                                                                           

The Accident
     What a cold day it was, cold and lonely, coming home from work on that Saturday night.  The rain was coming down so hard I could barely see.  A thousand things were going through my mind, the late car payment, the unfinished homework assignments, how all my friends were at Mike's party and I had to work.  The semi was the least of my worries.  I didn’t know how slippery the road was, I didn’t even know what hydroplaning meant. 
     I don’t understand why he had to yell at me, I was doing the best I could.  I always did what he asked of me and never complained.  I worked seven and a half hours straight, I didn’t think it would be a big deal to go and get something to eat. 
     Oh man, if I don’t finish my English paper, Ms. Sears is going to kill me.  I can’t afford to get another bad grade in there, my mother would be very upset. 
     I don’t know how to tell her this but my paycheck was a little short this week.  How am I going to make the payment? 
     How come everybody gets to go out and have fun and I’m stuck working, it’s not fair.  I can’t even enjoy a weekend.  God knows I need it, coach is going to kill us on Monday.  I still can’t believe we lost to Lake Howell, that’s all he cared about was beating that team. 
     I feel like I let him down. 
     I feel like I let everybody down. 
     I’m so stressed out.  Everybody thinks my life is great, that I’m a spoiled rich boy, and I get my way.  If they only knew.
     God? Oh yeah, my Mom always tells me to take it all to Him, that He will solve all my problems.  Well, God doesn’t have a three hundred and seventy dollar car payment to make a month.  God doesn’t have to worry about getting good grades in school, or comforting his mother when she hears a song that reminds her of her late husband.  God doesn’t understand, no one does.
     I hadn’t realized it but I had begun accelerating well beyond the speed limit.  My wipers were swishing back and forth as fast as they could.  Why, of all nights, did it have to rain tonight, I’m not in the mood.  I felt the back end of my truck starting to sway from side to side.  I realized that I was going to fast and my back tires weren’t getting any traction.  But it was too late, before I knew it the back end whipped around and I began sliding out of control.  I tried to steer out of it but it just shot me into the median.  My truck bottomed out in the grass and I violently banged my head on the steering wheel.  I lost all sense of direction.  As I looked up I saw two headlights coming directly at me and heard the long sound of the eighteen wheelers horn echoing in the distance, and then darkness.
     As I opened my eyes and looked around me, I saw that I was all alone standing on a beach.  It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, birds were flying overhead, and the waves were peacefully rolling in, splashing against the warm sand.  The beach was empty as far as I could see and not a single footprint existed in the sand.  As I stood there looking out into the ocean, a man came up behind me and laid his hand on my shoulder.  A feeling of warmth and love came over my entire body.  He said to me in a reassuring voice, "Jesse, do not be afraid.  God loves you more than you know."  I turned and faced the man, his face was very familiar.  His dark brown hair was long and wisped in the wind.  His clothes were somewhat ragged, with a torn shirt and dirty sandals.  Somewhat confused at what was going on I responded, "Where am I?"  The man simply smiled at me and began walking along the shore.  I, instinctively, followed after him.  He stopped after a while and turned to me.  I had so many questions to ask, "What happened to me," "am I dead?" but when I looked into his eyes all my questions were answered.  I was confused and enlightened all at the same time.  The man then told me to close my eyes as he reached out his enormous hand and placed it over my face. 
     "Boys, come over here, your father and I want to tell you something.  You’re going to have a new baby brother."  It was my mother, only younger.  And look, look how young Jay and Jerry look.  I surely wasn’t born yet, but what was this I was seeing?  Suddenly there was a bright flash of light.
*     *     *
     My mother is in the hospital, is she sick?  She looks like she’s in pain.  My father is there, Grandma and Grandpa are there too.  I see, my mother is giving birth to me. My father walked out to the waiting room, "It’s a boy, Jesse Douglas."  Dad, are you crying?
*     *     *
     "Come on, come on, you can do it.  Jerry come in here, quick, he’s walking!"  I saw myself take my first steps, and how happy my parents were.
Rowe 4
*     *     *
     "Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."  The three of us boys fell asleep in my fathers arms as he read us The Night Before Christmas.
*     *     *
     "But I’m scared mommy, I don’t want to go to kindergarten."
     "You’ll be fine sweetheart, I’ll be here when you get home from school.  Don’t be afraid I promise everything will be OK.  I love you." 
*     *     *
     "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Jesse, happy birthday to you."  That was the best birthday party ever, with the best of friends a six year old could have.
*     *     *
     "I can’t do it.  I’ll never be able to ride a bike."
     "You can do it Jesse you just have to try again, I’m right here with  you."
*     *     *
     There’s Jon helping fix my hair for my ninth grade homecoming dance.
     "Jesse Rowe, congratulations my man, your first high school dance .  Big dog, gonna be getting all the ladies.  Have a good time, because every year goes by faster and faster." 
     Images of my life began flashing through my mind faster and faster.  I saw every laughter and every tear.  But what stood out the most, I saw that I was loved.
     The man removed his hand from my face.  I immediately fell down in the sand and
began to weep.  I felt so disgusted with myself, remembering how selfish I had acted that night in the car.  I truly was loved and people did care.  "Oh God, I’m so sorry.  How could I have let myself turn into that horrible person.  Please forgive me."
     The man put his hand on my head and told me to get up.  He gently wiped my tears away with his shirt sleeve.  To my surprise, the man was not in ragged clothes anymore.  But instead, he was wearing an elegant robe trimmed in gold.  As he was wiping my tears from my cheek, I noticed something about him that I hadn’t noticed before.  The palms of his hands contained dark circles, as if they were scars.  I also noticed that he had the same scars on his feet.  My heart jumped, could this be…?  Before I could say anything the man said to me, "Jesse, your friends love you, your family loves you, and I love you.  Now is not your time.  You have a wonderful life ahead of you.  Live it well, my son."  He placed his hand over my face one last time and there was another flash of bright light. 
     This time the bright light was the flashlight of the paramedics as they were pulling me out of my truck.  I looked at one of the paramedics, his face was very familiar.  I stared at him a while and he only smiled back, until finally he winked and said, "someone up there must love you."


This essay was written as a school project, you see you can use any way to spread the word of Jesus to others.  God Bless

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Letters of Our Lives


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

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

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

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

[Soldier4Christ]

  Be Prepared


Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12 (NASB)

At the conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Paul places this stern warning. He is warning that we are engaged in a struggle. Not just a struggle with men, or merely with ourselves, but against powers and forces of darkness. Specifically, this refers to our struggle with Satan and his legions of demons (which are fallen angels).

Demonic forces are evil, but they are powerful forces nonetheless. However, their power lies not in their might, but rather in their ability to deceive. When we have an encounter with these evil beings, it is not a Power encounter, but rather, a Truth encounter. That is why it is so vital for every Christian to build their life on a foundation of Truth: God’s Holy Word and Jesus Christ.

Demonic beings use what my friend Harold Willmington calls the sixteen deadly D’s: Disappointment, Discouragement, Despair, Doubt, Disbelief, Distraction, Double-mindedness, Dishonesty, Deceit, Dullness, Deadness, Delay, Defilement, Defamation, Disobedient, and Discord to try to cause you to wander from the path of righteousness. Nothing pleases Satan and his demons that seeing believers stumble.

Therefore, expect the battle, and Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Ephesians 6:13-18 (Message)

But, my friend, be not discouraged (the second D). Because we also know, My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. 1 John 4:4 (Message)

Put on the full armor of God every morning. Then you can face the world and its temptations not relying on your own power, but protected by God’s.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Living an Obedient Life Before God


If you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully
all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will
set you high above all nations of the earth.  And all these blessings shall
come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your
God. (Deuteronomy 28:1-2)


I was just sitting and worshipping before the Lord and the word obedience
popped into my head.  I thought ok God what about it and I felt He wanted me
to write about it, so here I am.

Now when I think of the word obedience, I think WOW!  It is such a heavy
word and it comes with great responsibility.

I always find myself constantly in a situation where I need to have
obedience.  We all should because we are suppose to live an obedient and
Godly life before
Christ.  My problem with obedience is I have a hard time trying not to talk
back to my parents, and I'm 17.  I always tell myself I'm not going to do it
again and where do I end up.  I end up right back where I started talking
back.  It is a sin that I need to ask God to wipe away from my life.  When I
talk back it shows a lack of responsibility and disrespect to my parents.
At that rate they will never trust me with more responsibility.

As young women and men in Christ we need to rise above and just take
Responsibility and be obedient.  I read in a book by Ron Luce called Extreme
for Jesus Promise Book that God is looking for young people who are
committed to Him and that they will obey Him in every way.  Young people who
will follow Him, even when they don't quite understand the reason for His
command or instruction.  Obedience is living a life of surrender to Him.

You know we not only need to be obedient to God and are parents but to our
elders, our bosses, our pastors, and to other people who have authority in
our lives.  God sent them to be a witness and teacher to us so we should
listen to them. Obedience will help to protect, bless, and take care of us.
Don't let it be a chore but let it be an offering to Christ.  Show Christ
that you are going to be obedient and do the things He wants you to do.  If
we trust God with the responsibility then it will show that you are mature
and are responsible for Him to allow you to do the things we are called to
do.

Here are some more references to look up on obedience:

Isaiah 48:17-18
John 14:15,21
*1 John 2:3-5

[Soldier4Christ]

  Overweight? Under Weight?


"Before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be His in Christ."
Eph 1:4

When we feel that we aren't perfect our thoughts of inferiority show in our personalities.  To be lovable, a person need to be loving.  Most of the time if we don't feel good about ourselves we tend to withdraw and stay to ourselves.  For some, loneliness and boredom push us right to the kitchen.  Food brings relief from the feelings of anger, depression, nervousness or boredom.  We know deep down inside that we are only making the problem worse but for the time being we are satisfying ourselves.  This only leads us to being disappointed in ourselves later on.

Or do you feel bad about your body so you don't eat at all?  You feel if you don't eat that you will have power over how you look.  Some days you eat but other days you skip it all together.  Some eat and force themselves to vomit.  There you get the pleasure to eat but then you don't worry about it making you gain weight.  You see yourself as fat?  You look in the mirror and don't like what you see? 

Eating disorders are fairly common among women but men also suffer from it.  Some people starve themselves and/or over eat compulsively.  God's people come in many shapes and sizes.  You need to put less emphasis on your physical appearance and more on your inner beauty with Christ.  You need to truly remember that God loves you and you have good reasons to love yourself.  You need to take responsibility for your own happiness.  You have to make the decision not to let food reward you or rule your life.  Catch yourself before you are tempted to over eat or under eat.  Ask yourself if this is something that God wants you to do.  If you feel you are out of control go to a parent or some other adult and explain the problem to them.  There are many places to go for help if you feel you have a problem in one of these areas.  Only you know for sure how you are feeling inside.  Reaching out for help is the first step to loving yourself as God wants you to.   

[Soldier4Christ]

  Growing Up, But Not Away


Everyday we get older. Everyday is a step closer to more freedom, more fun, and more responsibilities. Each day is a new quest to make friends, to pass a class, or in some cases, just to stay alive. But through the great times ahead, or the hard times now, we grow up and sometimes away. Up and away from God, that is.

Do you go to church because you have to? Or maybe the one you love goes there? Do you go there for the right reasons? As we get older our priorities start to change. When I was younger I didn't have a care in the world. My biggest worry was whether or not I was going to miss Thunder cats or the Ninja Turtles on TV. When I turned 16 all I seemed to care about was whether so and so liked me and if I was going to have a date to the homecoming dance.

I just recently turned 22 and now everything is flipped upside down. I have these crazy things called taxes. I have a job that thinks I can work 24/7, a family that wants my company, a girlfriend that wants my attention, a hobby that wants my time, and a God that wants my devotion. How can I juggle them all? I can't make everyone happy can I?

As new and interesting paths are cut in your journey, try and stay on the path that will always stay straight and true. Grow up; enjoy life for what it has to offer. There are so many wonderful and great things that you will experience soon. Do not be to quick to grow up because some of the best times you will ever have are right now. But, with all the changes and everything going on, do not forget the reason you are here. God created us to love Him, and to witness to others the awesome love and power of Jesus Christ. No matter which direction your life will take you. It can never take you out of the hands of our Savior. God Bless and Keep The Faith!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Use Your Gifts


"I Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. I Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attention to reading, exhortation, to doctrine. I Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. I Timothy 4:15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. I Timothy 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to your doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you."
 
Someone last weekend brought I Timothy 4:12 to my attention, and I got to reading further, and I felt like I should write on these this week.
     
When someone is a newly born again Christian, they need our guidance with every step. We need to make sure that we are setting good examples for them to follow. A new born again Christian is like a baby in a way, a baby needs milk to survive. Well, a born again Christian needs the Word (Bible) to survive as well as love and guidance as you would a baby. 
   
It is a process that varies in time, but it is well worth it to see someone that is on their way to Heaven. We as Christians are called to minister God's Word. Now, you do not have to be called to preach to do this. You simply can just tell someone about the Bible or explain who Jesus is, etc.

Verse 14 says not to neglect the gift that is in you. Well, I think this is not just Bible, but also common sense here. Everyone has different gifts, and we all use them in different ways. Therefore, whatever your gift may be, you should not neglect it because God thinks you are special and He wanted you to have that gift. You should show Him the respect of using the talents for His glory. If He didn't want you to use them, why would He have given them to you? Think about it.   
 
God bless you and remember to always shine your light (Holy Spirit) to those around you for you may be entertaining angels unaware.

[Soldier4Christ]

  How Many Roads Lead To God

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

"Steve, how do we know Christianity is the right religion and the only way to heaven?"  You know what?  We don't.  If we knew it for a fact, it would be called Christian knowledge, not the Christian faith.

I believe that God created the heavens and the earth; I believe that Jesus lived a perfect life and died as a sacrifice for everyone's sins, I believe that Jesus was resurrected on the third day. I believe that, all of it I believe the bible is perfect and 100% inspired by God.  Do I know all of the things above to be fact?  I believe they are facts.  Why? Because, of all the things that I do know.

What do I know?  I know that when I pray to God that He answers, I know that Jesus has made changes in my life because I've (and everyone else who knows me) have seen them.  I know that Jesus has done things for me that I couldn’t do by myself.  I know God is always with me, because even on my worse days, I still feel His love inside of me.  I Know that I couldn't write devotionals day after day and continually come up with new stuff, God authors all these, and they are just typed by me.

God has done (and IS doing) such wonderful things in my life, that I know He's real and that He is alive!  When I read the bible, He talks to me and helps me understand passages; He helps me answer people's questions about Him from scriptures in the bible.

How do I know Christianity is the only way to God?  I don't.  But through all that I do know from what God has done in my daily life, I believe the words of Jesus with all my heart, and Jesus says.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 (NIV)

That is why I believe what I believe.  I believe that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.  I believe that He is the only way to heaven, because of the close relationship that I have with Him.  I believe ALL these things because of what Jesus has shown me and because He has never lied to me.  What a mighty God we serve!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Completely Undeserving


He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. (Isaiah 53:3-6) NLT

What a picture of Jesus! Despised, rejected, alone. This was a man who had everything counted against Him. He was hated by the world, and overflowing with loneliness. This Jesus was accused of deserving all of His punishment. Yet, as it says, we didn't care. No one cared that this man suffered endless torture that He didn't deserve.

Being God, Jesus knew all that was in store for Him on this earth. He saw the hatred in men's eyes. The floggings and endless beatings were within His view. Don't you think he knew just how much those nails would hurt? Not to mention the guilt...the endless overwhelming guilt that would come down on His shoulders.

It is that guilt, my brothers and sisters, that is ours to carry. That guilt should be weighing down our lives and our hearts. But instead, in one moment Jesus took it all. He did so because His love far surpassed anything we can imagine. He followed through with this pain because He knew it would bring us to glory with Him forever. He gave up all He had just so you might acknowledge Him in your life.

We have all failed God. We've all sinned. No one deserved for a PERFECT man to die for him. No one. But, out limited perspective didn't stop the God of the universe. No, Jesus looked at you, deep into your eyes, before he created you and then went to take your pain. Knowing all you would ever do, he still chose to die in YOUR place. Take some time today to really look at what Jesus did for you...the reality of it all. See the brutality blanketed in eternal love. If you've never asked God to be your friend and come into your life, please e-mail me. It would be my honor to talk with you. If you have, take a fresh look at the sacrifice that was made just for you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Meekness is not a Weakness


Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 (NIV)


Notice how completely opposite this beatitude is to the thinking of the world, particularly in this day and age. The wisdom of the world teaches: assert yourself, express yourself; organize and manifest your powers and abilities. People see their success as fully dependent upon their own efforts.

However, …the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. 1 Corinthians 3:19a (NLT). God knows that the real secret of success is forsaking self, and seeking God. We were not designed to be self sufficient, as so many modern philosophers claim. We were made to depend on God. That was how it was in the Garden of Eden, until Eve was seduced by the lure of the devil: "God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil." Genesis 3:5 (NLT). That was the beginning of our downfall … replacing dependence on God with dependence on self. This is the real essence of sin: putting ourselves in God’s place.

Meekness is the result of seeing ourselves honestly, the way that God sees us. We come to understand that depending on our own capabilities and devices is foolishness. This is what led us to our spiritual poverty and crushed spirit in the first place.

Meekness is not weakness. Meekness, rather, is strength under control. Specifically, our meekness is strength placed under the control of God. The meekness that is spoken of here implies a teachable spirit.

The reward for meekness is incredible. It says that the meek shall inherit the earth. How is this possible? Because the earth is the Lord’s, and He gives it to His own. Meekness leads to contentment. Meekness means we have placed our faith and trust in God, rather than in ourselves. Someone who is truly meek is always satisfied, content with what God has provided and confident in His continued provision and faithfulness.

When we are meek, we do not need to worry about tomorrow, for we know that tomorrow is held safely in God’s hand.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Like A Backdraft


Acts 2:2-3 “And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.

This past week, while studying this passage for a sermon, I took into consideration what was said concerning the fact that the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples like a “rushing wind” and a “fire”.    With that, I got into my car and took a trip to our local fire department and searched out how a fire works.  What I found was phenomenal!

The closest description to how the Holy Spirit worked was that of a back draft.  When a room is fairly sealed, the normal 21% air-oxygen gets to be reduced and all that is left is heat and fuel.  When oxygen is introduced back into the recipe, then the room will produce an explosion of flames, and thus making a back draft.

The day that the Holy Spirit came to be amongst us was had the likeness of the same recipe as that of a back draft.  When He came, He brought Himself to be with all believers, and to begin a work in all believers lives throughout history.  He comes as a consuming fire in our lives that takes away all of the sin and muck, and adds new life and gifts for the Christian.

How does the Holy Spirit work in your life?  Has He made the correct recipe and been like a back draft in your heart to show you that He is real?  Maybe you have been so callused that He really needs to sear your heart in order to get His work accomplished in your life?  No matter what the case whether the Holy Spirit comes like a back draft, or is a hush gentle whisper in your heart.  May you take the time today to listen and follow His calling. May God’s Grace Abound In You