Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  Different Beliefs One God


If you were to ask me what my preferences were for a church, I would have to tell you that I would like a church that is mellow, quite formal, and reformed in their theology. Granted I would have to say that I like a church that is kind of quiet. But, once in a while I like the churches where the “Amens!”  fly from the congregation, there are some clapping to the music, and people are freely into their worship of our God. 

When I was growing up, and still to this day, my Mamaw (My affectionate word for my Mom’s Mom.) goes to a Baptist church of just the sort. I always used to enjoy visiting there because of their liveliness and it gave me a bit of an education as to their culture and style of worship. 

In his concluding remarks to the Romans, Paul once again focuses on the righteousness of the believers and how we should live out our salvation through the help and direction of the Holy Spirit. He wanted to be sure that Christians are not emphasizing judgment on other believers, (14: 1-12) and also being sure that Christians were not a stumbling block to other believers. He warned against false teachers, and ended the letter with greetings and a prayer and a benediction for the believers, in a hope to be able to come to them in the near future.

Granted, I am covering a lot of ground with this devotional, but I think that there is one keys that I would like to show from these chapters. When we have other believers that believe different from we do, we cannot have attitudes that are not encouraging to the others beliefs. I am sure that you all know someone at school or even your own youth group that believes differently than you do, the point that Paul is trying to drive home is that we cannot let that be a stumbling block.

In conclusion, we really need some sensitivity in our different denominations and beliefs. More people need to realize that it is level at the foot of the cross and just because there are different beliefs, we cannot be stumbling blocks. What really matters is that they are firmly grounded in the Bible. That they believe Jesus Christ died for thier sins and rose again on the third day, and all they need to do is accept, believe and confess that He is our Savior. My Mamaw may have a different style of worship, but she doesn’t stop that from letting me worship differently than she does, and we have to do the same with our friends as well. May God Be With You

[Soldier4Christ]

  Real Life Mini-Series Secrets Part 3


"Secrets"
Part 3

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

What's been going on......
Several times in the past months my best friend, Mark has been seen with cuts and bruises on him.  And when I ask him about it he just gives me an answer that he fell while playing ball or got into a scuffle with some guy.  I just know that with the way he has been acting that something terrible is wrong.  I asked some friends at our last youth group meeting what they would do if this was their best friend.  They gave me some great tips for helping my friend.  Even our youth pastor said he would call Mark and go see his family.  I was walking home from youth group when I saw flashing lights down the street.

Part 3

I ran as fast as I could without even breathing, down the street to Mark's house.  The police that were standing outside the house practically caught me as I ran up the sidewalk.  They stopped me from going up to the house.  I was shaking I was so scared, I asked what had happened and they said they couldn't release that information.  I ran past the house to my house and before I got up to the steps I saw my family standing on the porch.  I asked my Mom what was going on.  She was crying and told me to sit down.  We went inside and she sat me down.  My head was pounding and I felt like screaming.  She said that Mark had hurt himself.  I was dizzy and nauseated, the room seemed to spin around.  I felt like I couldn't breathe.  My dad came over and told me to take deep breathes.  When I could finally catch my breathe I asked, "why what happened, who did it", over and over again.  They had no answers to give me.  Was Mark dead?  They said they didn't know. 

Mark had locked himself in his bathroom and sat on the floor and taken a razor knife and cut both his wrists.  His mother had gotten home from the store and called for him and when he didn't answer she assumed he was not home.  She was folding laundry and went to take in some towels to Mark's bathroom and found the door locked.  She knocked and knocked and just thought the door had been locked and closed by accident.  She went to the kitchen to get something to open the lock when she saw a note addressed to Mom and Dad on his bed.  She went for the note and opened it as she sat on the bed.  It read, "Dear Mom and Dad, I am sorry, I just can't live with this.  I can't tell you what has happened, but it is real bad.  I am sorry I love you all very much.  Tell everyone I am sorry.  Mark."

With that she ran and got a knife to open the lock and found Mark unconscious on the bathroom floor, blood was everywhere.  She grabbed him and wrapped towels around his wrists and called 911.  Mark's dad and brother were at church for a scouts meeting.  She called his cell phone and screamed for him to come right home.  He arrived just about the time the first police officer pulled up.  More emergency equipment came in a matter of minutes.  This is when I turned the corner to walk down my street.

My Mom said she ran over when the police car showed up and talked to Mark's Mom for a brief second, just enough to find out what he had happened.  Mark had tried to kill himself.  She said she would come to the hospital after she made some phone calls for her.  Good friends like our moms just know the right things to do and say in any emergency.  Our family sat down and my dad said we should all pray for Mark and the family.

What could have happened to make Mark want to die, in his note he said something terrible happened to him?  I was thinking that his Mom or dad were hitting on him but that wasn't the case at all.  I know that if Mark makes it then he will have to tell his terrible secret.  Oh how I wished I would have said something earlier on, this may not have happened.  I knew something had been wrong for months now and tried to talk to him but didn't know what to do.  "Oh please God", I prayed, "let Mark be all right."  The ambulance and fire engine were gone and the police were walking back to their cars when my dad went out and asked what had happened.  They told me dad that Mark was alive but would have a long road to total recovery.  My dad told me that if ever Mark really needed a friend it was going to be right now.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Dating Non-Christians


This Weeks Question:
What does the Bible say about dating non-Christians?

I am not sure that many of you know that my wife is pregnant and due in Sept. I want to thank the Lord for His many blessing in that situation, and would also ask for your prayers as we go through the many wonderful things that we have to face with the coming of our first child. Being pregnant is cool.  You have many cravings, mood swings, and of course the infamous morning sickness.  Maybe some of you can remember when your parents were expecting a younger brother or sister to some along in the family.

My wife has been craving some of the weirdest things that you and I would never put together.  It is true then people tell you then pickles and peanut butter go hand in hand in the delicacy of a pregnant woman.    But, to you and I they are not the most appetizing choice on our menu.  The same goes with us as Christians when it comes to dating and courting non-Christians.  We have to be careful who we date and who we do not.  Dating a non-Christian is not God's idea of a date for us.  We have talked about dating and courting and what the Bible says about that.  Now, the dangerous problem that comes with dating and courting is a choice of who we should and shouldn't date. Especially when it comes to dating the non-Christian. Can we as Christians date non-Christians? That's the question we will look at this week.

Love is strong. It has a way of doing things that you would never expect it to do. So many young people have started to like a person, and as always, one thing leads to another, and before they know it, they end up in a devastating situation with a broken heart. The problem with liking a non-Christian is that the same happens, but now the Christian must decide whether or not they could ever share the gospel and their faith, with the opportunity of them denying it, or take the pain or breaking up.

The other problem is that there is always going to be temptation in the situation. Just thinking that you will never get in to temptation is not enough when "Satan roars like a hungry lion." (I Peter 5: Being a Christian you have the strength to overcome any temptation that comes your way, but the non-Christian has no idea and it becomes very dangerous on all aspects of the relationship. They are more likely to lean into the temptation and cause you more trouble than you wanted to get in.  We are better off taking people of the opposite sex and befriending them and looking for the opportunity to share the gospel.

Another problem with the Christian dating a non-Christian comes in the harmony that God wants us to have in our relationships. Especially our relationship with someone that we would like to one day marry. The Bible says, "Do not 'team up," "work together," or "be matched" with those who are unbelievers" (2 Cor. 6:14) especially in marriage. In Bible times, you just did not put an ox with a donkey to plow or pull the cart. It just did not work. Same goes with our relationships with friends and with God. God wants us to be friends with nonbelievers in order to show them His plan of salvation, and we can work with them as well, but when we date a non-Christian we will see ourselves slowly drift from Christ and find that our relationship with Him suffers.

Finally, what is the solution? Ultimately, I would say that it is not OK to date a non-Christian. We need to guard our hearts. Hold on to them. Build healthy friendships with people who are Christians and focus our dating and courting desires on people that you can be "teamed up" with. We need to learn about courtship instead of dating, while seeking wisdom from God, and our parents. That way we can set the guidelines that we so desperately need for wholesome friendships before romance sets in. May God Be With You

"By staying close to Christ, when life throws it's nasty curve ball you will always knock a home run when you play as a team. But, if you expect to win this game your team mate better be playing for the right team. That is the one that Jesus is the manager of." (Tony B. Rhoda: "The Dating Game" 9/11/98 TDDM Devotional)

Song of Sol. 2:7
Prov. 4:23
Amos 3:3
2 Cor. 6:14

[Soldier4Christ]

  Conclusion To Romans


The Book of Romans

A couple of weeks ago, I started taking karate classes in order to get a little bit more in shape, and to relieve some stress. They have been teaching me everything from the double punch to my self defense. I found that I have really learned a lot. Last Thursday, I went to the class for the adults and the upper belts. The instructor was teaching a style of kick, and with that style of kick you should have enough force to be able to break a board.   So, I gave it a shot.   I raced back, took a few practice shots, and then went for the gusto!   WHAM!!!!  The board split into two! I felt as if I really had accomplished something.

As we finish the book of Romans here for the Tuesday edition of TDDM.  I feel like that we have accomplished something. I hope that all of you have learned something as well as I have.  We have learned the bad news that we are nothing and have such carnal minds that there is no way that we can ever do anything to receive our salvation. But, with God, there is always good news.

If I were to pick a highlight that really blessed my heart it would be the fact that we learned that we are totally justified from our sins through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not only did He take care of paying the price for our sins, but he gave our salvation to us as a free gift.  (Ch. 1-6)  We kept on in our adventure of Paul’s letter to find that we are more than conquerors as well about the unending love of God that nothing can separate us from.  (Ch.   Those are just a few highlights, but I would have to say that I really have learned a lot and I hope that you have as well.  May God be with you in all that you accomplish in your lives, and know that He will bless you for all that you do. Especially when you study His word.  May God Be With You.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Pursuing the Blessing


So many times throughout my life I have had opportunities to reach others for Christ. Many through music, witnessing, or just helping out with a Christian affiliated event. I believe the Bible teaches that when we do such things, God desire's to bless us. Yet time and time again, we "miss," the blessing. I believe there is good reason for this. So many times when we do God's work, we are in it for the blessing. Whether we realize it or not, the motives of our hearts are often times impure. Although other's may still be reached for Christ, it is originally our selfish intent to receive God's blessing that motivates us to , "do God's work."
   
Another common mistake or downfall in our motives are the people around us. What I mean by that is, for instance, we go and usher at a Christian conference, because the guy or girl we like is going to be there. I encourage you to strive for holiness. Do things for God because you are so totally in love with Him and so consumed with Him, that you desire fellowship with Him in every way possible. God created us to have fellowship with Him and if the motives of our heart are impure, that builds a wall between us and God. Thus, defeating the sole purpose for our creation.
   
Let's reevaluate our motives and desires. Let's stop pursuing the blessing and start pursuing Christ. It is then that you will find happiness and peace in Christ. Then you truly will receive the blessings of Christ. Don't limit God, He desires to bless you so don't give Him any reason not to.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Changing Sin


Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him. (Psalm 37:24)

The sky is black, the rain falls hard, and it seems like nothing in this life is going for us. I'm not talking about physical rain drops, but emotional down pours on our spirit. Another assignment is late for class, your friends don't seem to want to hang out anymore, or the coach just doesn't understand your need to be on the playing field.

So many times we get down in the dumps and it doesn't seem like we will ever get out of our depression. It's during these times that we all to often get caught up in the sin that we hate the most. The apostle John wrote, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves." (1 John 1: You see no matter what, there are going to be times that we fail and fall down. But, it's not falling down that matters, it's about how we get back up.

"These things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 2:1-2)

Friends, no matter what problems we face, no matter what trials come our way, and no matter how hard things seem to get, we can always turn to Jesus and go to Him for help. Even though tough times will come, instead of letting them tear us apart, how about this week letting them build us up. Remember that we are still "more than conquers, and can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us." Let's run into the arms of Christ and be forever changed. May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  When Worlds Collide


I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
(Luke 15:7)

A flash of lightning can light up the sky with it's power and might. A rainbow can cast it's amazing colors across the horizon with it's beauty and wonder. And a single soul that excepts Christ can bring the angels into an uproar with dancing and shouting.

Sit with me and let your imagination wonder to a distance place, this realm we call Heaven. A normal day is taking place on earth. But, something is different this time. The wind is gently whistling through the tree's, the cars are driving through the suburbs and children can be seen playing in the streets. A school bus pulls through and the afternoon begins.

But this afternoon has all of heaven taking notice. It's this afternoon that a young teenager is accepting Christ for the first time. A few kids from school has taken the time to talk about Jesus. Taken a moment to share their love and faith.

The angels stop what their doing, Jesus leans in his thrown closer to the scene just waiting for the chance to enter in. Then it happens. "I believe in you Jesus, forgive me of my sins and enter my life." A smile crosses the Father's face, a celebration begins. Jesus meets the teenager for the first time face to face.

Anyone can impact someone with the love of Christ. Whether your a teenager, a kid, or a grown adult. All it takes is someone who is willing to take a few minutes and let someone know they care. Let someone know the reason you wake up every morning, the reason you can smile when everyone around us is frowning. All of heaven rejoices at the thought of one soul being saved. I encourage you this week, throw a party, not here on earth, but in heaven. The angels are ready, the atmosphere set, the balloons and confetti are in their positions, now all it takes is you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Is It OK To...


"I am curious about Oral Sex and what the Bible has to say about it. Could you please shed some light on the subject?" 

Heb. 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and
adulterers God will judge. 

When I was in high school playing sports, we had different plays for different situations. Football had its plays, basketball its, and baseball its. Every school in our conference were our rivals and would give just about anything to have one of our play books, but why? They would not know which one was coming at them anyhow. When I was playing football our plays were all given in the huddle because we did not want to broadcast them to the other team. The same goes with a sexual relationship between a married couple it is not to be broadcasted but a private affair. 

It seems that the older we get, the more in depth that we get into puberty, the more we find ourselves discussing different sexual techniques. It may be with Jack in the locker room, or with Suzie on the phone, but that is very dangerous to our imaginations, and our thought lives.

There is no reason to discuss it nor try it before marriage. Sex and the foreplay that happens before sex is a private action for marriage, and it really disgust me when people think that it is OK to discuss it like football plays with which ones we can use and which ones we cannot. God says that we are not to "undefile" the marriage bed. The word "undefile" comes from the Greek word "amiontos" meaning to keep pure, sincere, and that sincerity is between two people. 

Some teenager have thought and have suggested, "Well, you cannot get pregnant through oral sex, and you cannot lose your virginity." People want to experiment and think that it is handy, harmless, and a substitute for the real thing, but that is flat out a lie. When you go back to what we talked about a couple of weeks ago with petting, we see that petting is the beginnings of intimacy and getting to know each other. You cannot get more intimate with a person than through oral sex, and there is a chance of spreading disease. 

In conclusion, I cannot say enough that oral sex is not a way to a means of skipping the real thing. Nor can I say enough that God wants us to keep our hearts as pure as we possibly can in order that we keep intimacy with Him before we are married. My prayer is that you will keep that intimacy as pure as possible and glorify Him all of the days of your life until you are able to share that intimacy with the love of your life. May God Be With You 

[Soldier4Christ]

  Dreaming Of The Day


For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble
state into conformity with the body of His glory. (Philippians 3:20-21) NASB

Thoughts run to and from my mind as I lean back against my bedpost. The
thought of heaven continues to take my breath away. The thought that one day
we will be in a place where there is no more hurt or pain. The day when we
can meet Jesus in all His wonder and Glory, and the day when we will be given
new bodies and new life.

The teenage years can be so tough. We have just finished being a kid, our
bodies are changing, our brain is expanding, and sometimes parents just don't
understand. But, more than that, there are things that we sometimes cannot
change.

What might that be? If you have ever been the last picked to play in a game,
then this devotional is for you. If you have ever been looked at funny or
made fun of, because maybe you were to skinny or over weight. If you have
ever had a disability or a personality difference. Then this devotional is
for you.

You see, one day when we get to heaven we will not have any more pain. We
will be able to run like the wind, fly like an eagle, and sing like bird. One
day we will be able to rid ourselves of this earthly flesh and bring on a new
body that is simply invincible. So many times we look to this life at the
things we don't have. Luxury, boyfriends or girlfriends, straight A's, and we
realize that sometimes in friends or parents eyes, we will never be good
enough.

In Jesus' eyes you are perfect. In heaven's stare you are the chosen one. In
the glance of your Heavenly Father you are made righteous. So what does this
all mean? It means that no matter what you look like or going through or
limits that might be in place now, it is only for a short time. Because when
this life is over, we will turn from the nobody that we are on earth, the
somebody in heaven. In heaven you are the first picked, inside those pearly
gates everyone knows your name. I can't wait to see you there!

[Soldier4Christ]

  "The Lukewarm Church"


Rev. 3:14-21


15.  "I know the things that you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. 
I wish you were one or the other!"


I remember the day that I got married like it was yesterday.  It was hotter
than all get out on that July day.  I remember the moment that my wife
gave me her ring for my finger.  I was dazzled by what was in it, and
especially the fact that it was gold.  I never wore much gold growing up,
and now, I got the chance to wear a piece for the rest of my life.  As
I got older, I wondered how gold was made, and what a jeweler did to it in
order to get the finished product.  Come to find out, a jeweler will melt
the gold from its beginning state so many times until he finally gets to
the point where he will see his reflection, and it shines like the sun.

Friends, the city of Laodicea was the most wealthy of the seven cities that
we are going to talk about in our study of the seven churches in the book
of Revelation.  It was known for its industries, manufacturing, as well as
its medical studies.  The city always had a problem with its water supply
though, so bad that they had to have water piped in from hot springs in
other lands.  By the time the water reached the city it was lukewarm, so
lukewarm that it made it disgusting to drink.

People in the church at Laodicea had become just that in their faith.  They
were neither hot and on fire for Christ, nor were they as cold as ice. They
were lukewarm which led to idleness causing the church to become hardened
and self satisfied.  This would ultimately cause them to be destroyed from
the inside out, and God would "spit" them out of His mouth.

Friends, how many of us are lukewarm?  Think about it for a second.  Some
of you are totally riding the fence when it comes to your faith and
relationship with Jesus.  Some of you are right out cold, and without any
spiritual life in your hearts.  What is the solution?

First, Jesus said to repent.  Turn from our ways, and go back.  Begin a
passion for Him.  Second, he said to "buy gold from him."  Remember what I
said earlier about gold?   We need to become gold in Jesus's eyes so that
we can reflect Him in our lives and hearts.   Thirdly, the text says, "I
stand at the door and knock."    Jesus is standing at the door of all of
our lives, and it is our choice whether or not we let Him in.  He wants us
to invite Him to take control of our lives.  Friends we need to do just
that.

Finally, what about your life?  Is God refining you like gold?  Can He see
His reflection in your heart?   My prayer is that you will do a reality
check, repent, and begin to see His reflection in your lives.  He is
standing at the door and knocking,  won't you let Him in to live forever?
May God Be With You

[Soldier4Christ]

  "Have I Told You Lately"


"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power
through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your
hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in
love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and
long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that
surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness
of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19)

I am struck and amazed at how awesome God is...are you? He laid it on my
heart to express my thanks, for you all, and your willingness to read this
devotionals every day.

Always remember that our God is wise in His actions.  If you are facing great
adversity, know He is still there, and loves you so much.  Through this
trial, He is refining you more and more into the image of His Son!  Take
great joy in that!  The creator of the universe, wants you to be in the image
of His Son! 

While on that thought, remember the cross.  We need to constantly remind
ourselves that we are a saved, and beloved family.  We are the family of
Christ! Read that verse again; let the beauty of His love dwell in your heart
today. May God's grace fall richly over you today. Have I told you lately,
that I love you?  Well, I do! But, God loves you so much more than our dreams
combined!

By His Grace Alone!

[Soldier4Christ]

  "Perception"


"I am a God's child." John 1:12
"I belong to God." 1 Cor 6:20
"I am a saint." Eph.1:1
"I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins." Col. 1:14
"I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound
mind." 2 Tim 1:7
"I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me." 1 John 5:18
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13


Perception: (v) 1. To perceive something, as becoming aware of something
through your mind, 2. To understand.

Perception in the Webster's dictionary says the statement above.  But I want
to talk to you about another definition of perception.  The perception of
right and wrong.  Just because we perceive something to be true doesn't mean
it is truth.  If someone tells you that you are dumb, does that make you
dumb?  No.  But you know if enough people tell you that you are dumb you may
just start believing it. 

Satan will tell you many things, he is very believable.  Satan presents
himself to you in many forms, through many situations, when you listen long
enough you may come to believe his lies.  Your self respect will be damaged
and so will your self-esteem.  You need to take every thought that enters
your mind and see if it is of truth and righteousness or NOT.  What and how
you perceive can hurt you.  If you perceive a lie or something that is false,
as truth in your mind and life, then it will damage your soul.  Enough of
this can cause your light in Christ to dim and eventually go out all
together.  Take each thought and evaluate them, the words you hear coming
even from trusted friends need to be evaluated. 

Satan's Lies
You are a sinner -You are bad -You are not worthy of God's love -You are not
worthy of God's love -You are what you have done - You are what people say
about you -Your behavior says what you believe about yourself

God's Truth
You are a saint, "forgiven of your sins"  -You are good -God loves you
You are what God has done for you "saved you from your sins"
You are what God says you are, "his child"
Your belief about yourself determines your behavior


Any thoughts that enter your mind that are not of truth and righteousness are
not of the Lord, then they are of sin and Satan.  Do not allow these bad
thoughts to enter your mind.  Use this list here to perfect your perception
skills.  By repenting of your sins to the Lord in prayer and living your life
with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will be protected from
what Satan wants to destroy, your soul.

[Soldier4Christ]

  "The Battle Against Stress"


"And which of you by being anxious can add a single year to his life?" (Luke
12:25) NASB

We go to the movies to see a happy ending, read a book to see the problem
resolved, and in life we think the same should apply. Unfortunately, we all
know it doesn't work out that way. Teachers wanting work turned in on-time,
parents nagging about chores, and jobs that don't understand what a day off
really means. It can all weigh a person down, that's for sure.

Sometimes I wonder how Jesus must have felt. Disciples not understanding,
people not believing, and the Pharisees wanting nothing but blood. If that
wasn't enough He was surrounded daily with one problem right after another.

That sounds like an average day at school for most, but how can we handle the
stresses of life and keep going? Well, what did Jesus do? He always took time
out to get close to God. When the storms raged, He prayed. When the crowds
came, He asked for thanks. When the end was near, He left the disciples to be
alone in the presence of His Father.

Some of us need to do the same. Instead of wondering how a problem is going
to get fixed, why don't you take time out to pray. When something happens
unexpectantly, instead of getting freaked out, why don't you thank God for
the good things in life and know that He will take care of it. It's time for
us to stop spending all of our time worrying about the problems and working
towards a solution. The solution starts with bringing your problems to the
foot of the cross. I encourage you to take time out this week when stress
comes into your life and give it to Jesus. A friend once told me this, "Pray,
He's up all night anyway!" So what are you waiting for?

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Potter's Hands


Jeremiah 18
"1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2 "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message."
3 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel.
4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the
potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him."

Have you ever seen a potter? He uses his hands to shape the clay and turn it in to what ever he wants. If the shape is not perfect he keeps working until he makes it perfect. Jeremiah says that when he sees the potter.

But what is not in this passage is that once the clay is the right shape the potter puts it through the fire. The fire is very hot, so that it can dry up the clay.

We as God's children are the potter's clay and God is our potter. Everyday He carefully molds us into what He wants us to be. If we are not perfect the first time through the fire He takes us out and changes us and puts us back in the fire again. But sometimes He puts us in the fire and we don't even feel it. All we see is the change that God is making in our hearts.

If we want our potter to make us perfect we need to let Him do His work the way He wants to. When we become like soft clay with our hearts open to God, He is then free to shape the clay any way He sees fit. But if we become like hard clay and hard hearts, it is almost impossible to mold the clay into a perfect masterpiece of art. There was a time when I was hard and I didn't see God working in my life. But when I finally gave complete control over to God, it was then that He was able to mold me.

I am in my second semester of college and the more open I become the more I see God work in my life and through me. If you are open to God you will be amazed at what He can do to and through you. I know I am. But the process is long and sometimes hard, but in the end it is worth it.

[Soldier4Christ]

  "The Power of Love"


"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks for this is
God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) NASB

My heart races to the computer faster than my feet can carry me. My thoughts
begin to open the E-mails before my fingers find the keyboard. All in hopes
for that special person who might grace me with a few words that I will
treasure for the rest of the day. The famous words of "You've Got Mail" flood
my ears as I anxiously open the screen to check the days mail.

Amazing as it is, many of us do the same thing day in and day out. If it's
not E-mail it might love letters, if it's not that it could be a phone call,
or a letter in the mail. Sometimes the thought of being in love can take over
every aspect of our life, even to the point that our whole world revolves
around their next move in hopes that it will be towards us.

Friends, I sometimes picture Jesus doing the same thing to his prize
possession you and I. I can visualize Him standing their leaning towards us,
waiting for our words to rise towards heaven. Hoping that we will take just a
moment to say hi, or time to let Him know how much He means to us. But, all
to often, He waits patiently for the reply that never comes, the words that
never leave our lips.

Remember the last time you raced to the mail box or jumped the couch for the
phone. If we do that for just another human being, just think of the joy our
Heavenly Father goes through at the thought of hearing our voices. I believe
all of Heaven stands still at the moment we raise our voices and hands to the
sky. All the angels stand still to listen and to gaze at the smile that grips
our Fathers face. As well as the joy that overcomes him at the sound of our
voice. Take time out today to pray, to thank Him for the day and for eternal
life. Jesus may not jump over the sofa for our call, but He did go to the
cross so that one day He can be united with us forever. May peace be with
you.