Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  Ironing Out The Wrinkles


“Praise be to the god and father of our lord Jesus Christ the father of compassion and the god of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles.” (2 Cor. 1:3,4)

It is a known fact that everyone struggles from time to time. Even those around us that look like they have their act together will often go through trials and tribulations. Nobody can escape them. It’s part of life. Being a Christian, it is part every day life. We have our ups and downs. But, a lot of problems we tend to face daily can easily be avoided.

What can I say; I'm your average guy. I can't cook to save my life. Cleaning is something I dread more than homework, and doing the laundry is great if I want all of my clothes to change colors. So when it came time for me to do it all on my own, a huge reality check took place. What does this button do again?

Let's take my iron for instance. Sure we have never been to close in the past but tonight I was going to change that. We were going to get together for an enjoyable evening of pressing out those horrible wrinkles. Now normally I would just throw my clothes in the dryer for ten minutes but today I was going to move up in the world. As I plugged it in and studied the dial I started to realize this might not be as easy as it looks. I clicked to the right setting and laid it down on the shirt. I figured it was working just fine when the smoke started to rise from the cotton.

Just like the iron, there can be good and bad trials that happen in our lives. On one end it can take care of all of those wrinkles that plague my shirts. On the other end it can ruin that same shirt I only want to look clean. Trials are two faced as well. On one end they can make you a stronger Christian, but on the other end it can tear you up in side. We all go through them. But it is how you handle them that determine whether you are nice and pressed or you get burned out. God Bless and Keep The Faith!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Pray For Your School


"But Jesus made Himself of no reputation" (Philippians 2:7)

A couple of weeks ago my youth group attended a youth conference called No Reputation.  It was an awesome experience!  The thing that impacted me the most was what we had learned the first night.  That night was focused on what was call the 30KD, which means thirty second kneel down.  What is taking the time to pray for your school every morning? Every morning you go to your locker, and kneel down and pray for thirty seconds. 
       
It has really changed my life.  I've never ever really been into praying.  It just isn't one of the things that I like to do.  It has been really hard for me to pray on my knee in front of everyone and pray.  But you know what?  God has been with me every step of the way.  He has given me the freedom to forget about what people think, and to just focus on Him.  I'm so excited to see what God is going to do in my school. 

My final point is that we are all put on this earth to serve and not to be served.  God has given everyone extraordinary gifts.  I think it is about we all use them.  It is all about humbling ourselves before God, and showing Him that we want to serve Him, and others.
       
If you decide that you may want to pray for your school here is the pray that the 30KD has for an example:
       
God, I bow my knee in humility to you.  I know your loving presence will be with me all day. Thank you for loving me today.  I love you, too. 
       
God, touch the teachers, administration, and students on my campus today.  One touch from you, Father, can change someone's destiny. Touch them through me.
       
God, the message of Jesus' love for my campus must be told.  Use me as the messenger.  I will tell those around me how much you love them.


Here are some scriptures to meditate on:

"...love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and
with all your mind."  (Matthew 22:37)

"...love your neighbor as yourself."  (Matthew 22:39)

"...become obedient to death even death on a cross!"  (Phil. 2:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19)

Now go and be a light to your school.  Live a life of no reputation. Always remember that you are never alone because He will always be with you.  May the Lord bless you and Keep you!

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Way We Dress


I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (NIV)

A few months ago a young teenage girl was brutally raped, killed, placed in a 55-gallon barrel, and buried in the back yard at her best friend's house.  After she was buried, her killer poured a concrete slab over the barrel and then built a tool shed on top of it.  All because he had lusted after her and let his emotions take over.  The killer was her best friend's dad.  When he was interviewed he said that he noticed that she would wear over skimpy clothing quite often.  After repeated times of seeing this, he could no longer control his urges, so he did the un-thinkable.  Did she deserve this?  Absolutely not, but it brings up a good point.  When you're advertising your body, you never know who's buying.  Think about that statement for a while.

I know many teenage girls who wear tight clothes and some who wear very skimpy clothes, and they all say, "If I've got it, I'm going to flaunt it".  This is a dangerous game.  You never know who happens to be looking or lusting.  You never know who's mind your on.  When guys see girls in these clothes, they don't think, "Man, she is pretty", they don't say, "I'll bet she's got a good personality", they think of sex.  In case you haven't realized it yet, guys don't need a reason to think about sex, they just do it automatically.  By wearing skimpy and tight clothing, who's watching you?  It may not be that guy at school that you like; it could be the janitor, your best friend's dad, a coach, a teacher, or a killer.

Girls, when you advertise your body like this, guys don't look at you for anything else.  If you wear these types of clothing, don't get mad when you get into a relationship and all the guy wants is sex.  Don't get mad when your entire relationship is based on your looks, not on your personality.  Don't get angry when he doesn't care how you feel.  By advertising yourself with these types of clothes, you are just saying, "I'm easy, cheap, and desperate."  By wearing this type of clothing, you are begging for these kinds of relationships.  You may not think that, but those are the signals that you're giving everyone.

These kinds of relationships don't glorify God; they hurt you emotionally, spiritually and sometimes physically.  This kind of clothing doesn't glorify God.  Are you dressing appropriately for someone who professes to worship God?  Are you saying you're a Christian, and then causing others to lust after you or causing others to stumble?  If so, change it.  "Steve, how do I know if I'm dressing appropriately?"  Good question!  The answer "Ask your minister or his wife" They will be happy to help you out with that. 

As Christians, its important that we do everything we can to glorify God and live a Godly life.  Satan continually whispers all kinds of lies in our ears and in our minds.  If you're thinking "It doesn't matter what kind of clothes I wear."  That's a lie from Satan don't listen to him. 

Your clothes speak for you, they tell the world who you are.  What do your clothes say about you?  Many people hate Christians because of the hypocrites among us. If your saying with your mouth that your a Christian, but showing with your life that your not (by wearing these types of clothes), your a hypocrite too.  Don't be a hypocrite.  When people see you, do they think of God, or do they think of sex?  Think about it.

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Domino Effect


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

I grew up in a pretty ritualistic church. That's great if that's how you worship. But, for me, it only led to a huge game of "playing Christian." I knew all the answers in Sunday school--the good little girl, as most would say. Always smiling, the church thought I was the perfect daughter. They were wrong. I was a very depressed and lonely little girl who tended to take that out on my very frustrated parents. I did the prayer thing...at least on the surface. Yes, I said "Dear God...bless mommy and daddy and grandpa and grandma..." But, did I ever really talk to God? No. Why didn't I talk to God? Simple-because I didn't know Him. I just pretended to. When I was 11 I went to church camp. During that week someone told me that God wanted to be more than the "big guy in the sky." She told me that He wanted to be my friend. I didn't have many friends...and a free friend sounded pretty good. So, I told God that I wanted to be His friend. Things have gotten much better from there. I'm really praying now. In fact, I have hour-long conversations with God at least once a day. These are the highlights of my days. But how did I come to call on God? I believed. How did I come to believe? Someone told me. Do you see Paul's (and I believe God's) point here? So what does this leave you to do? Well, if you don't believe...I just told you about God...so talk to Him. If you do, help others to believe by telling them. Way too many times people tell us to witness, but they don't explain why.
Your job: start the eternal domino effect.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Ask Again


Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

How many times have you asked God for something and then not receive it? I hear people talking about it occasionally. Well, we shouldn't ever give up on God, He does give us what we ask for, He does let us find Him when we look, He does open doors when we knock. But He doesn't always do it after we ask Him once. The words used in this passage (ask, seek, knock) mean repetitively. If you "repetitively ask" God for something, if you "repetitively seek" Him or His will, if you "repetitively knock" on the door, it will be opened.

So many times we just give up on the blessings He wants to give us, because we don't have the patience or the faith to wait for God's answer. If you've asked God for something and it hasn't been supplied to you, ask Him again. Ask Him to show you if there is a reason you haven't received it.

God loves you! He loves you more than you can know and He wants to bless your socks off and give you the desires of your heart. You must have faith, you must continue to ask. It's truly a two-way street. Don't give up on God, I promise He won't give up on you. Take heart, dear child of God, He does listen and nothing in your life is eer too big for God to handle. Just ask, you'll see.

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Skunk In Your Heart


Joshua 7:25-26 "Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day." And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. They raised over him a great heap of stones that stands to this day, and the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the valley of Achor to this day."

"What is that?  It is crawling in the church yard!"  I was kind of perplexed when I looked over in the churchyard, by our volleyball net and noticed something black with a white stripe walking around our volleyball net and then cross over the creek.  I decided to get into the van to see if I could get just a little closer to be sure that my eyes were not playing tricks on me.   Wouldn't you know it, they weren't?  It was a skunk!

Over the past few days, I have been keeping an eye on the grounds to see if I saw it again, but to no avail.  Had they built a nest close to the church?  What were we going to do if the problem had not been taken care of and it came time for our annual "Turkey Bowl" next week.  This could be a serious problem.

You know when we think about something as miniscule as a skunk being in our yard, it kind of reminds us of how serious that we ought to take the sin that is in our lives.  Maybe we see it lurking around in our hearts, and we just forget about it.  Sin is serious!  We need to be like I was with the skunk, and make sure that it is taken care of before it becomes more of a disaster than we ever dreamed of.

What kind of skunk are you dealing with in your life?  When Joshua sent the spies into Ai they thought that it would be a breeze in order to overtake them.  Little did Joshua know, but sin had entered into the camp and the Israelites were literally whipped.  Joshua found out that Achan had disobeyed God, and took some of the spoils from a previous conquest.  He had to be taken care of, and Joshua did just that.

You see we cannot mess around with sin in our lives.  It obstructs our view of God as well as obstructs our view of obedience to Him.  Won't you take the time today to do a check on your life?  What kind of sin needs to be taken care of or has snuck up on your life?  Get it right with God today!  Take care of any skunks that may come your way.  May God's Grace Abound In You.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Feelings Never Last


Hebrews 13:5b-"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." (NIV)
     
If I could give you a poster or plaque to hang in your room it would say, "FEELINGS NEVER LAST."  You are at camp and it is Sunday morning.  You had an amazing time last night and the Lord showed up in powerful ways.  You dealt with the sin in your life and made right your relationships with others.  You felt so good, you felt God's presence and you felt close to Him.  But now it is Sunday morning.
     
You have been asleep for about two hours when someone's watch alarm begins to go off.  Of course everyone in the cabin hears the watch alarm except the person wearing it.  After about five minutes of that obnoxious beeping you decide to get up and the first thing that greets you in the morning is a pool of saliva on your pillow.  Of course as you raise up it strings up with you.  But it is only half a puddle because the other half has dried and caked across your face.  You roll out of bed forgetting that you are in the upper bunk, AHHHHHHHHH.  Thank goodness your youth sponsor is getting up at the same time, below you, and their body breaks your fall.
     
You stagger into the bathroom, look in the mirror and think, "Wow, I think I'm dead."  Then to add to your pain a happy person bounds into the bathroom.  "GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING, ISN'T IT A WONDERFUL DAY?"  You weakly smile, glance in the mirror, and discover that your teeth are covered with dried potato chips, chocolate candy and a very long hair.
     
It is Sunday morning and you don't feel like you did Saturday night.  Does that mean that last night wasn't real?  Does it mean that God didn't really show up?  Was it all a cruel joke?  NO!  Last night was real but you need to realize that feeling never last.
     
Your faith in Jesus Christ can never be based on how you feel at any certain time but your faith is based on the facts of God's Word.  God's Word is true no matter how you feel and His promise is that He will never leave you or forsake you.
     
Imagine what would happen if you ate everyday like you eat at Thanksgiving.  That would be sick and wrong.  But once a year you have Thanksgiving and you enjoy all the food but you don't expect to eat that way everyday.  Every once in a while God will give us a Thanksgiving of feelings and we will enjoy feeling His presence but you don't expect to feel that way everyday.
     
Today hang onto the promises of God's Word and not a passing feeling. Now wash your face, brush your teeth and get out there and live for Jesus!  God bless you!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Purity Of Thoughts


Last week I talked about girls wearing inappropriate clothing.  I told a story in that devo about a 14-year-old girl who was raped, killed and buried in her best friend's backyard.  I received some e-mails stating that this incident wasn't all the girl's fault for wearing skimpy clothing.  And it wasn't all her fault; it was mostly the fault of her killer.  So now I'm going to talk about the flip-side of this story because I think it's equally (if not more) important.  (If you did not read the story, please refer to the devo archive at www.tddm.org on 11/17/02, so you can follow along with today's devo.) 

James 1:14-15 (NIV)

but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.


The father of this girl's friend allowed his temptation to turn into thoughts, his thoughts turn into desire, and his desire turned not only into his spiritual death, but her physical death. 

Daily we are bombarded with messages and temptations from Satan; mostly they come in the form of media.  Either by music videos, song lyrics, sex scenes in movies, the internet, even in clothing ads.  Folks, we are being attacked daily by Satan, he is trying to force his ideas on us and it appears to be working.  This is why we must guard what thoughts and images we allow into our heads, because what enters our thoughts, enters our hearts.  "What has your attention, has you."  Does Satan have your attention?  Or is your attention focused on God?

We have to focus at turning away these evil thoughts the moment they enter our head.  If the father in the murder story, had refused these thoughts when they first entered his head and continued to refuse them, lust would not have overcome him and that teenager may still be alive today. 

"Steve, how can we guard our thoughts?"  Well, first of all, you need to read the bible daily.  It will help you focus on right and wrong and keep you focused on God (even if its just a verse or a paragraph).  Next you need to pray daily (even if it's 30 seconds).  You can't have a relationship with someone you don't know, you must talk to God in order to have a relationship with Him.  The next thing (this is the hardest step), watch what you allow into your thoughts.

Many people say "secular music may not be Godly, and may have a worldly message, but it won't hurt me." while others say "these music videos may have people having sex and walking around in skimpy clothing, but I can still focus on God.", while still others could say "a sex scene or two in a movie isn't enough to hurt my walk with Christ."  You know what?  Your right!!  Each one of these as an isolated event may not be enough to hurt your walk with Christ, but look at what your exposed to daily.  You're never just exposed to one or the other of these things, they are always, constantly being forced into you.   When you start adding these things together, they can become overwhelming and really hurt your walk with God.

Satan throws these lyrics, pictures, thoughts, ideas and actions into our thought life daily.  They come in so fast that they just get stored up in our mind. (Do you see where I'm going with this?)  After we see these things so much, we begin to think they are OK; we begin to think that it's right to do these things.  That's exactly what Satan wants us to do.  We not only have to stop focusing on these things, but we need to focus on God to truly help us grow and strengthen in Him. 

Temptations attack us so strongly because they are usually something that we've allowed into our minds and hearts, and not gotten rid of.  Today go into this world to win the war.  There is a spiritual battle going on right now, this very second.  Each time Satan gets a bad lyric or inappropriate thought, picture, or idea into your mind, its just like he shot you with a gun.  Eventually you will have so many bullets in you, that you will be weighted down so heavily that you could die.  These devos are to guide you through this war.  They are like road maps that will help get you to your goal.  Your goal should be God, focus on Him and run for it.  Don't look back and don't let Satan continue to shoot you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Real Story


Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was a giant of a man, measuring over nine feet tall! He wore a bronze helmet and a coat of mail that weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leggings, and he slung a bronze javelin over his back. The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver's beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed fifteen pounds. An armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a huge shield. Goliath stood and shouted across to the Israelites, "Do you need a whole army to settle this? Choose someone to fight for you, and I will represent the Philistines. We will settle this dispute in single combat! (1 Samuel 17:4-8) NLT

Wow...sounds like a fun guy doesn't it? Can you imagine fighting this guy? Even the toughest of people would be puny in contrast to such a warrior. Yet... "Don't worry about a thing," David told Saul. "I'll go fight this Philistine!" "Don't be ridiculous!" Saul replied. "There is no way you can go against this Philistine. You are only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!" But David persisted. "I have been taking care of my father's sheep," he said. "When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and take the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I'll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The LORD who saved me from the claws of the lion and the bear will save me from this Philistine!" Saul finally consented. "All right, go ahead," he said. "And may the LORD be with you!" (1 Samuel 17:32-37) NLT

What courage! This puny little shepherd boy asks to go fight this monster. He has courage that blows us away. How could a simple child kill a beast? His answer: God will save him. Let's keep reading... He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them in his shepherd's bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd's staff and sling, he started across to fight Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:40) NLT

Then, he simply grabs five smooth stones to fight him! This is crazy! Why would anyone EVER take such a chance? The answer is simple: because GOD called Him to do it, and he listened. God calls us to do some radical things some times. It's not usually fighting someone fifty times our size. No, it's typically something like telling your parents about Jesus even though they respond in violence, or eating lunch with the rejects because God loves them too. David used five smooth stones. What would those stones represent in your life? Are they love, trust, maturity, sports ability, musical ability, intelligence, determination, or something else? God has equipped you with just as much as He gave David. We all know how the story ends. David is victorious because God was with Him. God is with you too. So, the next time you are called to do some radical thing for Christ that seems impossible, pick up your five smooth stones, and battle hand in hand with the living God.

[Soldier4Christ]

  The God of Impossibility


Elisha replied, "Hear this message from the LORD! This is what the LORD says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, five quarts of fine flour will cost only half an ounce of silver, and ten quarts of barley grain will cost only half an ounce of silver." The officer assisting the king said to the man of God, "That couldn't happen even if the LORD opened the windows of heaven!" But Elisha replied, "You will see it happen, but you won't be able to eat any of it!" So it was true that five quarts of fine flour were sold that day for half an ounce of silver, and ten quarts of barley grain were sold for half an ounce of silver, just as the LORD had promised. (2 Kings 7:1-2, 16)

Let's put this in modern-day terms. Elisha told the people that tomorrow CD's would be a nickel a piece and meal at McDonald's would only cost a penny. These were unbelievably low prices. So, of course this officer told the prophet that even God couldn't do that-it was impossible. We do that to God a lot don't we? We tell Him that it is impossible-that even He; the God of this universe couldn't do THAT. No, people can't just get better from terminal illness. No, mountains can't crumble from nothing. No, God, even you can't make people come alive again. Yet, he's done all this and more. We limit God to our human perspective, when in reality He's blown that limiting box away with His amazing miracles. Just as in this example in scripture, sometime people who don't believe, end up limiting themselves as well as God. For instance, a pastor who feels really called to a certain church stays where He is because it's more comfortable. Then, He finds out that he was EXACTLY what was needed. And usually by that time, it is too late. Don't limit God. Not only are you limiting a Being so far greater than your possible comprehension, but also you are limiting the possibilities of the miracles God is ready and willing to work through you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  A New Beginning



Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11) NIV.

So often, we look at a new year, as a chance to start over again.  In some respects, this is true; but, as I have seen in recent experiences, it is just a chance to look back, and continue forth.

This New Year's did not turn out quite as I had planned.  I ended up working till after 12.  I spent my New Year's at work. Driving home, I was bitter, and cold.  The next day, yet again, I had to venture back to my job. At first the idea of this upset me greatly.  Thanks to God though; my day turned out quite nicely.  Everything flowed perfectly.

I came home, went to my room, and sat down to think.  I wrote my resolutions today.  The one I want to share with you today, is this:  I resolve to live every day as if it were my last, so I will not be disappointed if I should not wake the next.

As I ponder my resolution, and my day, I think of how I spend my time...and my thoughts.  I could have seen today as yet another day of work, and drudgery, which at first, it was.  Then, as my day progressed, I came to realize, that each day builds on another.  The joys from yesterday carry into the next, and  also the pains and trials.  But, think, have you not learned a great deal from your trial?
Has not the Lord been gracious to you thus far?  What will keep him from carrying you through the struggle of today?  Our attitude is what stands in the way of overcoming our doubt.

We have quite a year in front of us.  Much will change.  Will your attitude?  Will your joy?  Will you realize that every day is a gift?  And bless the world with that gift?  Jesus Christ has come, so that you may live.  He has put a light in your life, so that you may shine!

I challenge you to memorize the verse at the top; repeat it to yourself in times of distress.  Remind yourself of joys past, and joys to come.  Our God will not leave you alone.  His promises never fail.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Remember The Blessings


"then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage."  (Deu. 6:12)

If someone had the task of summarizing the majority of the Old Testament in one word, that word would undoubtedly be, "remember."  Over and over throughout the Old Testament God reminds the children of Israel so often to not forget what God had done for them.  It was during times when they forgot what God had done for them, that they began to stray from the God of their fathers and follow idols.

God knew that when Israel was wondering aimlessly throughout the desert and didn't know where their next meal was going to come from that their survival would rely on their remembrance of what God had done for them in the past.  So he told them to "beware" of forgetting, and therefore share with future generations how He had removed them from the bondage of Egypt.
   
Today, like the children of Israel we must indeed always remember what God has done for us in the past in order to survive the not so easy times.  Like the children of Israel we have been removed from bondage by our God, and God wants us to never forget that gift He gave us!
 
What should our motive be for following God daily?  How can we survive when the walls of our world are caving in?  Simply by remembering that God loved us enough to send His only son to suffer the most cruel torture in history, and by realizing that if He did such an incredible thing for us already He's certainly going to fulfill His promise to take care of us in the hard times.
   
A mature Christian is one who reaches a stage in their life where they realize that no matter what happens to them that God will take care of them, and such a life attitude is found in experiences of God moving in our lives.  Whether it be our salvation, a deep understanding of exactly what Jesus did for us, or a recount of what God has recently done in our lives; remembering these experiences must be the foundation of our faith in the future.  Don't fall into the same trap of the Israelites!  Never forget what God has done from you and the amazing freedom from the bondage of sin that He has mercifully and freely given you.  Walk in remembrance of Christ today!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Pure Joy


Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3

There is an amazing year out there for you, I can feel it.  God has done such much in your life thus far, I know it.  Today, sit back, and think of where you have come, where you are, and where you are going.  I know this year will hold much heartache, as well as joy.  I want to point you all to the source of our joy in struggles.  We have a wellspring of joy, no matter where we are, what we have done, or who we are.

I write this on Christmas Day.  The presents have been opened.  The breakfast eaten. I escaped to my room, and read one of my presents.  Max Lucado has been a profound influence on my life.  In the Grip of Grace changed my life.  The book that I read, simply called, the cross. 

Alone I sat in my room, tears streaming down my face.  Joy, overwhelming was mine. I want to share an excerpt from that book with you.  Read it slow, and let the words sink deep into your soul.  Take courage from the peace you can find.

"The final prayer of Jesus was about you.  His final pain was for you.  His final passion was you...Never had he felt so alone...And God couldn't turn his back on you.  He couldn't because he saw you, and one look at you was all it took to convince him...He wanted you to know that he has been there, too...He knows what it's like to be confused.  He knows what it's like to be torn between two desires."

This is not all that I read, much is missing, for it is a long book.  If you get the time, I strongly recommend this book.  It was terribly moving. I hope you take courage, and strength, in the fact that Christ knows your pain.  He knows your loneliness. He loves you more than life itself, and he proved that. This year, when things go wrong. When your life is falling apart. Remember. Remember his pain, and his overwhelming love for you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Should I Date or Court


I Thess 3:1-6
Genesis 2:24  “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”  Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

One of the toughest decisions that we have to make in our lives is the subject of whether or not we are going to date or whether or not we are going to court. It has not been very long since we started thinking about doing away without the faulty way of finding a mate through dating to the what I feel is the Biblical style of courting.

Last week, we talked about when was the right time to date or court, and how Scripture says that we ultimately have to “guard our hearts” and not to open that heart until we know for sure whether or not we are mature enough. When you look at the debate of whether or not you should date or court, you find two sides of the coin that think their way is the best way to find the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with. This week, I want to shed some light on that very debate. There have been many books that have come out and talked about this very subject. My question is, “What does Scripture have to say about it?”

Personally, I feel that our dating system is not working. Half of the marriages including the ones right here in the midst of the Christian circles are ending in divorce, and all of us in one way or another we have all dealt with it. The whole concept of dating has turned superficial, pressured, and often has lead to warped relationships between friends that should have never been. Dating is turning into the “How soon can we get to the make out process?”  Because people are not setting high standards with their dating lives. People are letting down on what God meant to be beautiful, and hearts are starting to be ripped out in the ways that God did not want them to be. Healthy romance feeds and thrives off of healthy friendships.

I Thess.  4:3-6 tells us that we are to be careful not to fall into lust.  When you date, it just seems that you end up in wanting to go the next step, and we all end up losing with all of the physicalness and lust being taken too.  The problem is that our dating system is having people left with feeling like junk!  God never wanted it to be that way.  God wanted us to stay married forever (stay “one flesh”)  and that is not what is happening in our world.

Sure, I know that courting sounds like a BLAH!!  Bum Deal Huh? Not really. The greatest romances come from the greatest friendships.   You find that you can be “real” with the person and you are not letting your heart get trampled from all of the steps that you thought that you were taking.  When you think about it, it is the mature thing to do.  It is also what gives God the upper hand on guarding your heart for Him. 

Finally, there are more argument for courting instead of dating.  But, go out with friends, and make as many as you can.  Give God the opportunity to see it come to the romance that you wish that you could find.  Guard your hearts, and ultimately glorify the Lord in all of your relationships. May God Be With You.

[Soldier4Christ]

  All Is Now Different


But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

We stand on the threshold of another year.  We sit back and think of the past year, and dream of the next.  What will it hold?  As part of my Christmas present, my brother took me to the movies on Friday.  We went to see Castaway. It was a wonderful movie, which I really enjoyed.

For those of you who do not know, it was of a man, whose life was thrown around, mixed up, and basically changed in one instant.  All of a sudden, all that he knew, was now different.  All that he had, was now different.  He must adjust to his new surroundings.  He must become a new man.

In a moment, your life could change.  I am sure; without a doubt, this year will hold life changing situations.  After this year, I know none of you will be the same.  You know what? Though all is falling apart, though everything is lying broken at our feet, God is changing us from the inside out.  Is that not wonderful how He works that way?  Instead of taking the easy way out, He works where it is most difficult. 

Allow him to change you this year.  Will you not remember that you are but clay in His hands?  God is a beautiful creator.  He will make you beautiful, you just have to let him.