Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  "Looking Outside"


"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given to men by which we must be saved"  Acts 4:12 NIV

How many of you are looking for something?  Something to fill your life to
make you feel complete?  I know the feeling well.  I looked for friends to
give me validation.  I looked to my own looks to give me self esteem.  I
looked to what others thought about me for my self worth.  I was always
looking outside of myself to fill me with what I desired.  I wanted to
feel peace in that place inside of me that felt empty.  I could not figure
out what was wrong with me, I just knew I needed something.  If I could
find that one special boyfriend then I would be OK.  If I just let my hair
grow longer I would look better.  If I could hang out with a certain group
of friends I would be more popular.  If these didn't work, I could always
get high to be cool to fit in and defuse the pain.  I could always have sex
with my boyfriend to feel the ultimate love I needed.  I could go shopping
and buy new clothes and jewelry.  I would be like a blind person grasping
in the dark for something to hold on to.  I was looking outside of myself
to fill the void inside.  All the things I did filled a temporary void and
made me feel good for a time.  But then reality hit hard, after the "good
feeling" left then I was faced with guilt and shame.  On top of feeling
empty now I had this ugly feeling on top of it.  It is a circle of
emotional pain.  Then I started looking to my peers in my church for help,
especially my youth pastor.  They were great help but once again I was
looking for something outside of myself to fill me.  When you look outside
of yourself to fill the  emptiness and void you will always come up short.
People will always disappoint you some way or another because they are only
human. 

NOTHING OR NO ONE.... but Jesus Christ can fill you.  The secret is, that
Jesus is inside of you, He is at the core of your being.  All you have to
do is go there, in prayer and seek His love and comfort.  I was so busy
looking to everything around me that I neglected to stop and look inside.
We are all born with the ability and free will to put God in us, all we
have to do is acknowledge Him and ask Him into our lives.  Ask God to
reveal Himself in you and stop floundering around in the dark looking for
the answer.  You will find the true peace and happiness inside of you just
waiting to take over.  Go there now and find true peace and contentment
for your life. 

[Soldier4Christ]

  "Taming the Tongue"


"...the tongue is a small part of the body, but consider the trouble it
causes...the tongue...is a fire...a world of evil among the body...no man
can tame the tongue...out of the same mouth come both praise and cursing.
This should not be." (James 3:5-10)

Has there ever been a time in your life when someone has really hurt,
yelled, or slammed you down for one reason or another? I'm sure we have
all been there, we have all felt the knife being stabbed into our backs by
our friends or parents. It's during these times when we so badly want to
speak our heart instead of our minds.

She was all I could ever want in a girl. Sweet, pretty, funny, popular,
and most importantly, a Christian. We started talking and before I knew it,
we were off on a date. We didn't even do anything except go to the mall
and hang out on the swings at the city park, but that was just enough to
take my heart completely away from me.

I wish the story had a happy ending, but unfortunately that wasn't in God's
plan. The following two days she stopped talking to me and I was too shy to
confront her about it. After another long 24 hours, it was brought to my
attention in a letter she wrote that, "I just want to be friends." One
minute she liked me, the next......friends. Being someone's friend was
always a great thing to me, but hearing those words from her sent my world
crashing down.

Being able to write, I started to compose a masterpiece of my thoughts.
Not only was I hurt about what happened, I also wanted to let her know how
she made me feel. Half way through the letter, I just looked down and
frowned. What was I doing? Even though I wanted so desperately to put my
feelings on paper, even though I wanted to say so many times what my
feelings were, I had to bite my lip, put the paper and pencil away, and
tame my tongue.


Friends, our mouths can be sharper than a two-edged sword. Where wounds
will someday heal, a wrong word will scar a person for life. I'm sure most
of us have even dealt with a situation like mine. Maybe it was a best
friend who went behind your back, or a parent who wouldn't let you go out
for any apparent reason. No matter what happened, I knew there was only
one place for me to go with my problem, only one thing to do, and it all
started by getting on my knees. When all leave us and forsake us, there
will always be One with us. When a date is broken, a punch thrown, or a
temper lost, He has time and time again shown me that when all else fails,
the Love of the Lord always shines through. So the next time you face a
situation like the one I faced or just wrote about, open up your Bible to
1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your cares on the Lord, for He cares for you,"
because there isn't a thing in the world that God loves more than you.
May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  "The Pickle Jar"

I hope that you were blessed as much as I was with this story.

Eph. 6:1-2
Proverbs 31

    The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside
the dresser in my parents' bedroom.  When he got ready for bed, Dad would
empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar.
    As a small boy I was always fascinated at the sounds the coins made
as they were dropped into the jar.  They landed with a merry jingle when
the jar was almost empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as
the jar was filled.  I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar and
admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure
when the sun poured through the bedroom window.
    When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and
roll the coins before taking them to the bank.  Taking the coins to the
bank was always a big production.  Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box,
the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck. 
Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me
hopefully.  "Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill,
son.  You're going to do better than me.  This old mill town's not going to hold you back."  Also, each and every
time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the
cashier, he would grin proudly.
    "These are for my son's college fund.  He'll never work at the mill
all his life like me."  We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping
for an ice cream cone.  I always got chocolate.  Dad always got vanilla. 
When the clerk at the ice cream parlor handed Dad his change, he would show
me the few coins nestled in his palm.  "When we get home, we'll start
filling the jar again."  He always let me drop the first coins into the
empty jar.  As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned
at each other.  "You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and
quarters," he said.  "But you'll get there. I'll see to that."
    The years passed, and I finished college and took a job in another
town.  Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom,
and noticed that the pickle jar was gone.  It had served its purpose and
had been removed.  A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside
the dresser where the jar had always stood.  My dad was a man of few words,
and never lectured me on the values of determination, perseverance, and
faith.   The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues for more eloquently
than the most flowery of words could have done.  When I married, I told my
wife Susan about the significant part the lowly pickle jar had played in my
life as a boy.  In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much
my dad had loved me.  No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued
to doggedly drop his coins into the jar.  Even the summer when Dad got
laid off from the mill, and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a
week, not a single dime was taken from the jar.
    To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup
over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than
ever to make a way out for me.   "When you finish college, Son," he told me,
his eyes glistening, "You'll never have to eat beans again...unless you
want to."
    The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the
holiday with my parents.  After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other
on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild.  Jessica began to
whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms.  "She probably needs to be
changed," she said, carrying the baby into my parents' bedroom to diaper her.
When Susan came back into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes. 
She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into
the room.
    "Look," she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor
beside the dresser. To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed,
stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins.  I walked
over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful
of coins.
    With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the coins into the jar.
I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slipped quietly in the
room.  Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt.
Neither one of us could speak.

[Soldier4Christ]

  "Bearing One Another's Burdens"


What does the bible say about "bearing another's burdens"? What is the
difference between a friend sharing "problems" and a friend needing
counseling? How can we know the difference?

Thanks!

Galatians 6:2  “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of
Christ.”


All of us have friends and family in our lives that have come to us with a
problem that they shared with us.  When that problem comes, the question
that we all have to face is whether or not just to listen or whether to
offer counseling from either your own ambition, or the counsel of a pastor
or a trusted adult.   It is a case by case situation whether or not you
proceed to purse an answer with the person or you are just a listening ear
the best thing to do is always to pray for wisdom.

But, then there brings another problem because Scripture tells us to “Bear
one another’s burdens.”   What does this mean?

When you look at the word “bear” in the Greek dictionary it means,  “to
carry or to take up.”  Better translated it would say, “Carry one another’s
burdens…”   “One another” is one of the key phrases we should find in all
of our vocabulary.  The Bible says “one another” more times then we think.   “Love one another“,  “Share one another’s“,  “Pray for one another“,  “Edify one another“, .   When we look at the passage that this verse is woven into you are looking at Paul talking about the temptations and concerns of other believers, and how we as other Christians ought to restore one another back to Christ, and help carry the loads.

Friends, that is exactly what we need to do when another person has a
problem.  When it comes to bearing one another’s burdens, I think that we
need to problem in the situation, and begin to restore the person back to
Christ.  Sure, not all problems involve sin or temptatins, but we
ultimately need to help our brothers and sisters care for their problems
and bring them back to Christ.  As I said earlier, we will know what to do
in the situation as to whether or not we need to just be a listening ear,
or we need to take it further. God will give us the wisdom to discern what
we need to do, if we just ask.  May we all be challenged to carry one
anothers burdens during all phases of life.  May God Be With You as you
bear one another’s burdens.

[Soldier4Christ]

  "What can we do about it?"


I Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one
another, just as you also are doing.  (NASB)

I Thessalonians 5:14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly,
encourage the fainthearted, help the1 weak, be patient with everyone.  (NASB)


This morning, I was able to talk with the area ministers and school
administrators of our school about what would happen if school violence
were to hit our school.  Over the past few weeks, we have felt the affects
of school violence and heard of more school violence than we have ever
heard.   I know that in my day of being at school, we did not need to
worry about the things that you as young adults worry about while walking
into your schools each day.   We had the occasional drug bust, fist fight,
and yelling matches, but we never had to walk into our schools and wonder
if this was going to be the day that we were going to lose our lives. 

Schools in our country are scrambling around for answers and looking for
ideas on how to stop all of this violence in our schools.   I want to
submit to you today that it is not the school officials that need to stop
it, nor is it our parents.  We need to be the ones that stop school
violence in our schools. 

When was the last time that we stood up for the kid that was being bullied,
and helped them tell a higher authority?  When was the last time that we
encouraged the person that we knew everyone else was making fun of?   When
was the last time that we made sure that others were feeling accepted into
our groups, and in our lives?   Maybe it is just the hello in the hall-way,
or the opening of a door, or really getting an answer when you ask, “How
are you doing?”   We as Christians need to encourage one another to
encourage one another.  That is the key to stopping school violence. 
Building one another up.


The Scripture mentioned above was actually about the coming of Christ and
people losing their loved ones to death.  But, think about encouraging one
another, we are to encourage the weak and faint hearted.  What would
happen if we all did that?  There would be changes in people.  People
would not feel the way that they do about themselves, and Christ would be
glorified.

Friends, that is the key we must all glorify Christ.   He said for us to
love one another and in so doing we glorify Him.  I challenge you today,
to think of the person at school that needs encouraged.  Mean what you say,
and help them build their self-esteem.   Maybe through that we can help
detour school violence in our schools.  May God Be With You

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Speed Of Light


"You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:14)

As Christians we are called to be the light of the world. We're supposed to
be examples to the people around us who are not saved. It is our job to
show this dying place a love from a Savior that will erase their deepest,
darkest secrets and give them hope for a future. The only way to show the
love of Christ is to act like He would.

The other day I was cruising down the highway in the city when a van past
me by. I glanced down at my speedometer and I was going around 65 miles
an hour. So this guy was hauling. After he passed me, a speed limit sign
showed 45 miles an hour. "Wow, he's just asking for a ticket." I snicked as
he continued to pass.

After he passed through, I was amazed to see that it was a van for the
handicapped, and on the back it said, "We take pride in driving safe, see
you at the next stop light." I couldn't believe what I just saw. Here was
a guy already breaking the law and then to be speeding displaying that
type of sign on the the rear of his van, was just beyond my comprehension.
Now, I don't know about you, but I started to think differently of how
this person was. Sure he says one thing about driving safe, but then the
next second he's speeding down the highway.

Of course it didn't take me long to realize that if I knew he was going
faster than 65 there was a problem, because not only was he speeding, but
so was I. Now I don't have a "drive safe" sticker on the back of my truck,
but what I do have is a bumper billboard for the tailgate of my truck. I
have two Christian bumperstickers and a sexy little gold plastic fish
attached. So, when people see my truck, they know that a Christian is
inside it, but, when they see me flying down the highway drag racing a
handicapped van, people will start to wonder what kind of Christian I am.

When you claim Jesus as your Savior you also claim His name. You become a
walking billboard for Christ. Everyone that passes by you knows there is
something about you that sets you apart from the crowd. Knowing this, we
have to strive to be as good a Christian as possible, because through our
actions, we give people reasons to bleieve in us or to think that it's all
a phony. I mean if you can't tell the difference between a Christian and a
non-Christian then what's the use? Use this week to set yourself apart
from the rest of the world and let your little light shine. You would be
amazed at how fast light can travel. May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  "Prayer"

In Luke 11:1, one of Jesus' disciples said, "Lord, teach us to pray."
It was obvious the Jesus' strength came from His time in prayer.

What is Prayer?

Basically, prayer is communication between you and God. "Call to Me,
and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which
you do not know." Jeremiah 33: 3

Just try to think of trying to cope with your problems if there was no
way to communicate with God. Remember that God created us for fellowship
with Him. He desires that we learn to spend time with Him in prayer.

Why Do People Fail to Pray?
We often convince ourselves that we can make it without prayer.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding: in all you ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your
paths straight." Proverbs3: 5-6

How to Pray
Be real; be yourself. You must be honest, genuine, open with God. "Who may
stand before the Lord? Only those who do not practice dishonesty and lying." Psalm24: 3-4

Come before God as a child. "The greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven is the
one who humbles himself and becomes like this child." Matthew 18:4

Talk to God as you would a friend. "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses
face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend." Exodus 33:11

Pray without ceasing. "Pray at all times." 1 Thes. 5:17
Pray with persistence. "Pray and never give up." Luke 18:1
Pray believing. ".... all things for which you pray and ask, believe that
you have received them, and they shall be granted you." Mark 11:24
Prayers must be specific. Pray generally -- you'll never know. Pray
God always answers prayer, in His time.
God sometimes says, "No."
God sometimes says, "Wait."
God sometimes says, "Yes," and can even say "Yes" but in a different way
than you expected. Usually when you seek God, and you are praying according
to His will, He will answer your prayer far beyond what you could ever
dream.

Pray with Action.
A prayer can never take the place of action. Like love, it must be
expressed in action and not merely words. "Be ye doers of the word."
James 1:22

Don't just pray:
"Dear God, please help John today. I know that he is having a problem and
needs Your help."

Example of How to pray:
"Dear God, I really hurt for John. I want Your will for his life to be
accomplished today. If there is any way that You can use me, I am
available. Please make me sensitive to any doors that You might open to
use me in his life today." Be specific for his needs according to God's
will and for your needs in this request as well.

Elements of a Prayer
Remember A-C-T-S.

A - Adoration is praising God for who He is. This can be done by reading scriptures of praise or through music.
C - Confession is agreeing with God about your sin. True confession always includes repentance, which is a change in your life. Confession is important for spiritual growth.
T - Thanksgiving is thanking God for when He has done.
S - Supplication means requests. These are the things that you ask God for. There are 2 categories.

1. Petition is praying for our own needs. We pray when we are in a bind.
We pray for our daily needs. We need to pray for character development,
physical abilities and material needs.
2. Intercession is praying for others. Praying for salvation as well as
areas listed above. "....... far be it from me that I should sin against
the Lord by ceasing to pray for you" 1 Samuel 12:23
God bless you all.

[Soldier4Christ]

  "A Fight For Life"


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding. In all ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths."
(Proverbs 3:5)

All it takes is one event and one-second to change your life for ever. In a
blink of an eye a loved one can take their last breath on earth. In a moment
an accident can happen that can leave your body or even your heart paralyzed
for life. It's during these times that we wish we could go back in time.
Maybe do something different, maybe say something that could prepare them for
eternity. But, once it happens, it's to late.

An event similar happened to me recently, and I was not about to take any
chances. I knew death was quickly coming and my ticket was about to be
punched. As I sat down in the chair of doom I realized I might not live to
see another day. I realized it was time for my wisdom teeth to come out.

It would be an understatement to say that I was scared. The English language
cannot comprehend the feelings and thoughts that raced through my head. But
one thing was for sure. Before I went under I was going to repent for
everything I had ever done since I was born. From that time I took the little
boys ice cream from him and ate it when I was in 2nd grade, to cheating on
that math test I knew I was going to fail. I was cleaning my soul at 90 miles
a minute. Once the I V entered my skin I knew it was only a matter of minutes
before I would be out. It was time to move to the doctor.

As the room began to spin I told my doctor that Jesus loves him and that if
he would just accept him into his life he would live for ever. I told him
about the heavens and the angels and the pretty birdies (at this point I was
to high on laughing gas to understand the concept of heaven so I made it up
as I went) Finally, I remember waking up and by the grace of God I was still
alive.

Even though looking back on the event is was pretty funny, and I wish I would
have seen the look on the doctors face. I wondered if he took mental notes on
how much sleeping medicine he should give his next appointment after me. But,
the point that struck me the most was that, in my time of need and despair is
when I spoke the boldest about Christ.

Friends, why is it that the only time we get bold and really proclaim the
gospel is when we feel we have nothing left to lose? No where else to turn.
Why is it so hard for us as Christians to go out and live the life daily? To
tell our friends and loved ones about the savior who not only cares about
your well being and your wisdom teeth, but also cares about even a bruise or
a splinter in your finger.

I encourage you this week to share the gospel with a friend. Don't wait until
your backed against a wall to ask for forgiveness of your sins and don't wait
until a love one is on the death bed before you share the gospel with them.
I'm thankful that I made it through the operation. Even though I lost my
wisdom teeth in the process, I gained some spiritual knowledge that will stay
with me for the rest of my life. May peace be with you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  "What About Abstinence?"


I was holding a notice from my 13-year-old son's school announcing a
meeting to preview the new course in sexuality. Parents could examine the
curriculum and take part in an actual lesson presented exactly as it
would be given to the students. When I arrived at the school, I was
surprised to discover only about a dozen parents there.


As we waited for the presentation, I thumbed through page after page of
instructions in the prevention of pregnancy or disease. I found
abstinence mentioned only in passing.


When the teacher arrived with the school nurse, she asked if there were
any questions. I asked why abstinence did not play a noticeable part in
the material. What happened next was shocking.


There was a great deal of laughter, and someone suggested that if I
thought abstinence had any merit, I should go back to burying my head in
the sand. The teacher and the nurse said nothing as I drowned in a sea of
embarrassment. My mind had gone blank, and I could think of nothing to
say.


The teacher explained to me that the job of the school was to teach
"facts, " and the home was responsible for moral training.


I sat in silence for the next 20 minutes as the course was explained.
The other parents seemed to give their unqualified support to the
materials.


"Donuts, at the back, " announced the teacher during the break. "I'd like
you to put on the nametags we have prepared. They're right by the donuts,
and mingle with the other parents."


Everyone moved to the back of the room. As I watched them affixing their
nametags and shaking hands, I sat deep in thought.  I was ashamed that I
had not been able to persuade them to include a serious discussion of
abstinence in the materials.  I uttered a silent prayer for guidance.


My thoughts were interrupted by the teacher's hand on my shoulder.


"Won't you join the others, Mr. Layton?"  The nurse smiled sweetly at me.
"The donuts are good."


"Thank you, no," I replied.


"Well, then, how about a name tag? I'm sure the others would like to meet
you."


"Somehow I doubt that," I replied.


"Won't you please join them?" she coaxed. Then I heard a still, small
voice whisper, "Don't go." The instruction was unmistakable.


"Don't go!"


"I'll just wait here," I said.


When the class was called back to order, the teacher looked around the
long table and thanked everyone for putting on nametags. She ignored me.


Then she said, "Now we're going to give you the same lesson we'll be
giving your children. Everyone please peel off your nametags."


"Now, then, on the back of one of the tags, I drew a tiny flower.
Who has it, please?"


The gentleman across from me held it up.


"Here it is!"


"All right, " she said. "The flower represents disease. Do you recall
with whom you shook hands?"


He pointed to a couple of people.


"Very good, " she replied. "The handshake in this case represents
intimacy. So the two people you had contact with now have the disease."


There was laughter and joking among the parents. The teacher continued,
"And with whom did the two of you shake hands?"


The point was well taken, and she explained how this lesson would show
students how quickly disease is spread.


"Since we all shook hands, we all have the disease."


It was then that I heard the still, small voice again. "Speak now, it
said, "but be humble." I noted wryly the latter admonition, then rose
from my chair. I apologized for any upset I might have caused earlier,
congratulated the teacher on an excellent lesson that would impress the
youth, and concluded by saying I had only one small point I wished to
make.


"Not all of us were infected," I said. "One of us... abstained."

[Soldier4Christ]

  "Can The Music I Listen To Affect Me?"


Part 1

What are your thoughts on music and what should we listen to?

By: Adam Rineheart
lilrino@bright.net


It seems that since the beginning of the '60's that there has been a buzz
and the controversy of Christian music hit the Christian circles all over
the country.  It has been referred to as anything from "rock and roll is
of the Devil"  to a way to minister to people with different tastes of
music.  Some days, I would agree with the scoffers and other days, I would
have to say that I wanted to join the debate for it.   When it comes to
finding answers like this, we must go to the one that invented music and
see what He has to say about it. 

In this short series, I feel that we need to cover three areas on our study of
music in our lives.  First, I feel that we need to see where music came
from and why it was used.   Then, we will cover what types of music we
should listen to, and finally touch on how music affects our lives.  So, I
would like to ask you for your prayers and supplications as I seek God's
will on this touchy subject.


Where did music come from?  The Bible says in Genesis 1:27-28 that we were
created in God's image, therefore  we were created to love, think, and
create with our own minds, but we were ultimately created to praise and
glorify God.  Music has been around since the beginning, and we see that
right in Genesis 4:21 where Jubal created the first harp and the flute and
was the first musician.  There were choirs mentioned, prophecies set to
music, and musicians.   When we look at music mentioned in the Bible we
can see that it was used for a number of different purposes, and there is
no doubt that we see it used in the same ways in our culture and around the
world. 

C.S.  Lewis said, "Human art glorifies God."   It does so because as with
all of nature, it is a loving gift to human creatures that if they choose
to do so can be used to glorify God and who He is.  Not only is this
concept for music, but all of the gifts that God gave to us. It seems that
music has been used throughout the ages, and today we offer more music
education throughout our schools, colleges, and universities because it
has become so much a part of our lives, and ultimately we see that music
is a part of our lives in more forms than we can imagine.  It is
ultimately a gift from God and we need to use it for His glory. 

So, where does the Devil come into play with the music of our world. 
Gen. 1:31 says that "God saw all that He made and said that it was good."   
Some tend to think that the Devil is a creator when in actuality he is the
most defile destroyer.  So, we can come to the conclusion that everything
created from God is good, but when the Devil gets a hold of it then it is
defile and destroyed from the purpose that it was intended to be. 
Same with music, and I would go to the point to say that it is even
beginning in the music that is under the Christian label, the Devil has
veered his grimy little hands into it and has caused people to use it for
something that it was never intended to be.  It's ultimately up to the hearts that
listen to and play the music that makes whether or not music will be used
for evil or for good intentions.  It seems that history went right along
with this in all forms of music not just one type.

In conclusion, I feel that we have seen music through the ages used for
a various number of reasons.  We have seen the Devil come into music and
destroy the true reason why it was created. So, we are ultimately to use
music for the reason that it was created. 

Then we are left with a choice, "Do we use the music that we hear and play
to glorify God, or do we let Satan get control of it, and destroy all of
the beauty that God created in it?"    The solution is for us to choose
what God would want us to listen to and the things that He would want in our
minds not only for music, but the rest of our lives as well.
May God Be With You.

[Soldier4Christ]

  "Coldest of Times"


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

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

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

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

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

[Soldier4Christ]

  "Should My Parents Be Able to Search My Room?"

Luke 21:34
34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with
         dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day
         will not come on you suddenly like a trap;
35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the
         earth.
36 “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have
         strength to escape all these things that are about to take place,
         and to stand before the Son of Man.   (NASB)

Colossians 3:19-20

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against
                them.
20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for
                this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
        21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they
                will not lose heart. (NASB)

I was watching the show “Seventh Heaven” the other day,  and the lot of
the show was about a teenaged gal who was involved with a gang. 
Reverend Camden suggested to the parents that they would search her room
and her brother’s room to see if there was any paraphernalia.   The
parents had a tough time with this because they wanted their child to have
the privacy that they longed for.  Towards the end of the show, they did
indeed search their children’s rooms and found more than they bargained
for.

Should our parents be able to search our room?   Most of you are probably
cringing right now thinking, NO WAY!  My stuff is my stuff, and if my
parents ever want to keep my trust they will stay out of my things. 
Most of you would say that if a parent really wants to keep us from
rebelling, then they will stay out of our stuff, because we are more prone
to act-out when we are not trusted.

I would have to say that God's Word does not agree with that.
The most important thing for parents to do is to take care and protect
their children. Plus, the most important thing that you need as teenagers
is to know, feel, and have the security that your parents are protecting
you from things that may harm you.    It is not easy and it is difficult
to do that all of the time, and what is best for you may not be what we
would want.

More likely that not, if we are in trouble as teen-agers, such as drugs,
gangs, drinking, premarital sex, things of the sort, we lie about whether
or not we are in trouble.  Mainly because we are in denial that it will
hurt us, because we are still in the fun, but lurking around the corner
is the consequences.  I know that we all need our privacy, and that we
all need our space.   We all need room to grow, and be given
responsibility, but what about  we are in danger?  Does that give our
parents the right to search our rooms?  I would hope that it does.

Friends, we as Christians ought not to live a life that is hidden, nor
should we take and want to hide our lives from our parents.   We need to
work together with them, especially since they know what is best for our
lives.  If our parents are under the suspicion that we are in danger,
then they should have the right to search our rooms, ask us questions, and
do anything that they can to protect us.  Our well-being is more important
than our privacy.   Our parents searching our room because of suspicion
that we are in trouble is not an invasion of privacy, but  parenting.  We
as children need to trust our parents and pray everyday that they will
protect us.  May God Be With You

[Soldier4Christ]

  "If It's To Be"


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

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

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

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

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

[Soldier4Christ]

  "What do you believe?"

Dr. Maurice Rawlings, MD, a heart surgeon, has written a number of books on
the near death experience and clearly shows from his own practice and the
experiences of his patients, that not everyone goes to the light when they
die, where there is total love. He has written of many patients being
resuscitated on the operating table and speaking about being in hell, where
there was a real devil and demons, and where the inhabitants were tormented
with fire. Dr. Rawlings writes that these people are a lot more reluctant to
talk about it than those who went to the good place. In fact, these people
were highly motivated to do all that they could to repent and be saved (born
again in the Christian faith) so that they would never go back to the place
of torment. You might be interested to know that not one Christian ever had a
near death experience where they went to hell, among all the hundreds of
cases documented by Dr. Rawlings. 

This is a paragraph from an email I got the other day.  It is powerful and
true.  Not everyone will go into a nice peaceful place called Heaven.  Not
many people have the experience to "almost die and come back," thus having
this near death experience.  The ones you hear about are all glitter and
gold.  You hardly hear about the ones who see Hell.  But I guarantee you the
ones that do sure will repent when they come back around.  A glimpse of Hell
for a few minutes is far from an eternity.  Friends, don't take this lightly.
You may be a Christian but how about your family and friends?  We as
Christians have to make sure others come to Christ before it is too late. 
Also if you are in doubt of where you will go upon death, as yourself a few
questions.

What do you believe?
God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.

1.  That "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God."
2 Timothy 3:16
Dueteronomy 4:2
2 Peter 1:21

2.  That the Godhead exists eternally in three persons- the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:20
Matt. 28: 19-20
Dueteronomy 4:35
John 17:5

3.  In the personality and deity of Jesus Christ.  He was both truly God
and truly man.
John 1:1
John 1:14
John 10:30
Matt. 1:20
Phil. 2:5-7

4. In the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit who is the source and
power of a Christ centered life, and who convicts the sinner through the
Word of God.

John 15:16
Acts 5:3-4
Romans 8:28-26

5.  That Jesus, the one and only Son of God lived a sinless life, and
became a sinner's substitute before God, died was buried and rose on the
third day as a propitiation and atonement for the sins of the world.

I John 2:2
Hebrews 2:9
Romans 3:25
Romans 4:4-5
Colossians 1:13-14

6.  In the resurrection of the crucified body of Christ.
Luke 24:38
Acts 1:10-11
Ephesians 4:!0
Hebrews 1:3
I John 2:1

7. Salvation by faith alone.

Hebrews 9:15
John 3:16
John 5:24

8. In the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
I Corinthians 12:!3
Ephesians 2:21-22

9.  In the personal return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:11
I Thessalonians 4:16-17
Titus 2:13

10.  In eternal life, an eternal heaven and an eternal hell.
I Thessalonians 4:!5-18
Revelation 20:5

11.  In the evangelization of a world consisting of people of all ages.
Mark 16:!5
Matthew 28:19-20

12.  In the reality of Satan, called the devil which deceives the world.
Ephesians 6:11-12
I Peter 5:8
Revelation 20:10

13.  In the ordinances of Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Luke 3:21-23
Romans 6:4-6
Matthew 3:1-17
I Corinthians  11:17-34

14.  In the assurance of salvation.
John 3:16
Romans 8
Ephesians 1:16-18

15.  That the chief end of man is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.
I Corinthians 10:31

[Soldier4Christ]

  "What type of music should we listen to?"


Last Sunday, we studied where music came from and why we should use it.
We came to the conclusion that music was created to glorify God and we
were created to do the same. This week, we embark on the second phase of
the music issue, "What type of music are we to listen to?" Again, I feel
that as all young people should with all issues that we face we should look
at what the Creator has to say about it.

It seems that some churches think that music should not be used in the
church, while others have a full band with a leader.  Some think that we
should not listen to rock and roll, while still others utilize it in their
worship services and attend rock concerts. Truthfully, I can totally
understand both sides of the spectrum when it comes to thinking about
what we should and should not listen to. I still feel that we need to see
what God says about the whole spectrum. Are the instruments that some
people use to glorify God with actually supposed to be used to glorify
God? Is rock and roll "of the Devil?"

Throughout Scripture, people used many different instruments to praise God.
Psalm 43:4 says that David praised God with the harp, while 2 Samuel 6:5
says that all of the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord
with their singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments-lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. Jeremiah said that there is supposed to be joy and thanksgiving in praise. So, can you have rock and roll and the various types on instruments in your music and praise? I believe that you can, but we are cautioned strongly as to how we use them, and we must ask ourselves, " Are they for praise, or are they destroying all that God created?"

Isaiah 5:11-12 says, “Destruction is certain for you who get up early begin
long drinking bouts that last late into the night. You furnish music and
wine at your grand parties: the harp, lyres, tambourines, and flutes are
superb! But, you never think about the Lord or notice what He is doing!"
Granted, in the context of this passage Isaiah is talking about all of
the partying, but look at what he said about their music. Isaiah later
predicted that these people would perish because of their hunger and their
thirst. They used the instruments to glorify themselves and not glorify
God and it ultimately lead to destruction. I feel that using these
instruments to glorify God is OK, but when they are used to glorify self
in the music that is played on them, ultimately leads to destruction.

Music is binding. It sticks with us. I don't think that a day goes by
where a song does not come into my mind to recollect. The question is,
is what just went through my mind glorifying to my Creator? Music is good. I love to listen to a variety of types and the lyrics are good as well, but as mentioned in last weeks devotion, God made music and the art of humanity for His glory. The problem is that Satan has got a hold of music, and turned it into sexual fantasy, lies, destruction, and totally destroyed what God made pure and holy. Most of the music people listen to is music that sounds good to them, or makes them feel good about themselves.

Some people may not listen to much of the lyrics, but in reality they
should since the music that we listen to has the power to affect us and
our thoughts. We need to screen and be careful of what we listen to and
watch how it affects our lives. Paul said that, "We are to fix our minds
on thoughts that are pure, lovely, and admirable. Things that are true,
honorable, and right." (Phil. 4:   Music does have power, and it has
the power to affect our thoughts.
Jack Hesler  ( helser@theramp.net http://www.theramp.net/helser/ ; Used
with permission.) said, "Disputes over music are not new to the church.
In Ephesians 5:19-21, Paul says, speak to one another with psalm, hymns,
and spiritual songs." I feel that he is right. There have been disputes
over the subject of what we listen to for years, but I feel that he has
the key. We are to listen to and speak to one another in psalm, hymns, and
spiritual songs. That is were the total glory of God will be manifested
in what we say, listen to, and think.

Lately, even in the realm of Christian music, the lyrics of the artist
have represented a poor description of the glory of God and His gospel.
Do not get me wrong, there ARE people that use their lyrics to glorify God,
but there are some that I feel that are just in it for the money and fame
and are using whatever lyrics they can to "Call it Christian." That is a
different story, but ultimately what ever music we as Christians listen
to has to go back to Scripture. We have to ask ourselves, "Does the music
that I listen to:
1. Glorify God.
2. Help me to think on things written in Phil. 4:8.
3. Are the lyrics that I am listening to agree with my doctrine?
4. What kind of heart do I have listening to this music?


In conclusion, I feel that it does not matter whether or not we praise
Jesus with rock, soul, blues, country, or jazz, but what matters is our
heart behind why we are playing our music and performing our art. Not
only that, but what we say in that is what matters. It is my prayer that
all of you will pray and take a look at the music that you are listening
to and ask yourself, "Am I glorifying God?" May He be glorified in all
that we do, not only in our music, but our actions of our daily lives. 
May God Be With You