Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  Changes From Tragedy


Ecclesiastes 7:2-4
    It is better to go to a house of mourning than go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning but the heart of the fools is in the house of pleasure.

Matthew 25:36-44
    No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.


    This past Wednesday, April 18, 2001, I had one of the biggest wake-up calls in my life as of yet. God worked a miracle of convicted emotion inside of me, through the funeral of Jason Beiner- a strong believer in my church youth group.

    My youth pastor-Gary Clark did the service at Jason's funeral. He really has a way of speaking that makes you think that he's talking right to you-almost like he knows that you need to hear what he has to say......
Death is inevitable, it's a consequence for the sin that took place in the Garden of Eden. You never know when it's going to happen-it just does, and totally unexpectedly. I'm sure that Jason wasn't expecting it! God doesn't cause death though. If he wanted to cause death, why would he send Jesus to die for people that were going to die anyway? We may physically die, but our soul, our spirit lives forever. Gary compared our bodies to a tent. Tents are a temporary living quarters while we're away from home. We don't reside in them all the time. Just like a tent-we don't live in our bodies forever-they're temporary- like an earth suit.

    The thing that really opened my eyes, is love, the love that God has for us. We can do anything, and he still loves us. He sent someone to die for us. I just kept thinking about that all night Wednesday-and I just broke down. I just kept thinking-Why does God love such a horrible person like me? Jason was a person full of love and compassion for his friends. From what they said, he was always there listening to problems, offering advice, a shoulder to cry on-and an example of Christ. He was the best role model of a Christian that I know of-always full of questions, ready to pray when Gary asked for a student to lead prayer-he had a big heart for the Lord. I realized that I couldn't say those things about myself. I had gotten too caught up in the things of the world. When I die- I want people to look back on my actions and say all those things about me. I want to be the best example of Jesus' love. I want to touch someone the way Jason touched me-by sharing the love of Jesus with others.

[Soldier4Christ]

  What Is Ecstasy


I Cor. 3:16-18
16    Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God
dwells in you?
17    If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the
temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
18    Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise
in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.  (NASB)


“There has been a lot of talk about this new drug that kids are taking
called ecstasy.  What is it and what can it do to you?”


I am so glad that you asked this question.   It seems that since I live in
the rural area of the United States, that I do not get to hear about issues
like this as quick as what some of you may.  What usually happens is
something like this becomes popular in the bigger cities first and then in a
small amount of time it spreads to the rural areas.  This one was a lot
different, I had heard about it on the news, and the next thing I hear is a
case not too far from where I live of a party that was busted with people
using this drug.    I am glad that you asked this question because I wanted
to do some research on the subject myself.

Ecstasy is actually not a very new drug.  It was first made in the early
1900’s and used as an appetite suppressant.   It has never been produced on
a commercial level, but it was used in the 1970’s as an aid to therapy for
psychotherapists, and was banned in the 1980’s.
Illegal use of the drug did not become popular until the late 80’s and early
90’s.  It is often distributed at parties, “Raves”  nightclubs, and rock
concerts, and is ever increasing in the big cities.

Ecstasy is a powder usually pressed into tablets that range in a wide
variety of colors and sizes.  A couple of the early ones though were called
“Love Doves” and “New Yorkers”.  Capsules are also out there thus making
more of a risk for them to be tampered with.  It is taken orally, snorted,
smoked, but rarely injected.

The affects of Ecstasy depend upon the amount taken and where the drug is
taken. To begin with there may be affects such as perspiration, dry mouth,
an increase in heart rate, and a loss of appetite.  This may be followed by
feelings of calmness and sensitivity and especially an increase in
sensitivity to the senses.  It is not physically addictive, and the effects
usually peak for about 2 hours and my persist for several hours.    Ecstasy
though is psychologically dependent (Feel as though you cannot do with out
it) and could cause depression, nausea, hallucinations, tremors, muscle
cramps, and blurred vision.  When overdosed, there is an increase in blood
pressure, faintness, and panic attacks, and in severe cases, seizures and a
drastic rise in body temperature.  With Ecstasy there is a “rush” feeling
that will last for hours, and it does have the same effects as what cocaine
and amphetamines do.  Most of the problem is what Ecstasy is laced with and
tampered with is killing people all over the world at the parties and other
activities that you attend. Ecstasy can kill you.

It is illegal to take this drug in the United States although it is being
trafficked in at an alarming rate of 10,000 pills via the mail, airlines,
and more recently shipments from European cities to cities in the U.S..
Thus, using it is against the law and wrong for us to do.

Finally, I think that we all have had our talk whether at school, home, or
at church about the fact that we are not to use drugs unless they are
prescribed by a doctor.  If you are on this drug, no someone who is, or are
addicted to other drugs, then I would encourage you to seek professional
help.  Remember that your body is God’s temple, and I would encourage you to
talk to your pastor, a trusted adult, and see who they would advise for you
to get the help.   As you all know, I lost my uncle last Sunday partly due
to alcoholism, and it would tear me up royally to hear that one of you would
be killed from the use of drugs.  Plead with my warning don’t try it, you
will wish that you hadn’t.
May God Be With You

[Soldier4Christ]

  Who Is Your Potter


Yet, O Lord, you are the Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:

I'm going to ask you two little questions. Are you moldable? Let me define moldable a little more for you.  One of the definitions is to form into a particular shape to guide or determine the growth and development of; influence.

Now back to my questions.  Are you moldable? That was the first one, now the second. If you are moldable who are you allowing to mold you? God or the world? This verse says that we are the clay and God is the potter.  You know what a potter does; he molds the clay into the shape he wants it to be in.

So again I ask, who are you letting mold you? Do you allow someone or something to shape and guide your life? Is television, the radio, or friends shaping your life into something that is not of God? I hope that you are sitting there saying that you allow God to mold your life but that's not always the case.  As Christians we should be allowing God to mold us into the shape He wants us to be in.  Sometimes we get off track and allow the world to shape and mold us.

As Christians we should be an example of Christ through our lives, but that will not happen unless we let God takes us into His hands and carves the direction of our lives.  Now don't get me wrong, we aren't supposed to be some cookie cutter Christian who acts and talks like a zombie.  No, we should allow God to shape us into a godly Christian example.  Make sure God is the only potter in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Helping Hands


Exodus 17:10-13

10  So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron
and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands,
the Israelites were winning, but whenever he  lowered his hands, the
Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone
and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up--one
on one side, one on the other--so that his hands remained steady till
sunset.  13  So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.


It was a beautiful spring day.  I was 10 years old.  The swing set and I
were friends, and I thought that I would try to learn how to fly!  I did not
have any wings nor did I have any feathers, but that day, I was bound and
determined that I would fly.  I took the swing higher and then higher and
then let go. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!  Then BLAM!!!!  Then
Ouch!!!   Then Pain!!!!   My leg twisted in more places then I had ever
thought that it would be able to twist.  I was in serious pain and I needed
to go to the hospital.  The baby-sitter came out, called the neighbor, and I
used them as crutches in order to get to the car.  If it had not been for
them, I don’t think that I would have ever been able to make it.

Friends, we need to have the same idea when it comes to the battles that we
face in our lives.  When the Israelites were facing the Amalekites, Moses
was instructed by God that they would win if he were to keep his hands in
the air.  Needless to say, Moses got extremely tired and needed the helping
hands of Aaron and Hur to help him keep them up, and finally at sunset
Joshua overcame the Amalekites, and won.

We need to do the same things for our friends in the battles that we face in
our lives.  You all have battles that you are facing and know that you need
your friends in order to help you stay afloat.  Friends, God never meant for
us to face the Christian life alone.  He said that He would be with us
always and we as Christians need to our helping hands for each other along
with prayer, fasting and encouragement.

What about you? Are you helping a fellow Christian along in the battles that
they are facing?  Are you fasting, praying and encouraging one another?
What about the battle you are facing?  Are you seeking help out in these
battles?  Friends, we all have battles, we all fall down, and we all need
the helping hands of others.  I would challenge you today, to seek the help
hands of others in our battles, and to help others in their battles.  May
God Be With You.

[Soldier4Christ]

  It's Not Your Fault


"In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.  Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me."
Psalm 31:1-3 (NIV)

This past week my dad, younger brother John, and younger sister Danielle were out working on the yard.  John was using a hedge trimmer and Danielle was working toward him with a set of hand clippers.  My little sister somehow brought her hand too close to the trimmer and caught three fingers in the blade.  Dad and Mom rushed her to the emergency room and the doctor sewed the wounds up.  Danielle was lucky, because only one finger was cut to the bone, and even that was only a little bit.

After they left, my older sister Joy, John, and I cleaned up the blood that had gotten in the garage. John felt awful.  He had seen her hand coming, but it had been too quick for him to respond.  Joy and I told him over and over that it was not his fault, and that things like this happen.  After awhile, it seemed that John was doing all right, and he was even laughing while we played "Masterpiece Clue" together.  When my father called from the hospital to tell us that Danielle was fine, and that they would probably be home around midnight, John's smile immediately faded and he became very quiet.

Several days passed, and I felt that John was doing much better.  Danielle's hand was healing, and he didn't draw into himself when it was mentioned.  One day, he and I were coming back from a walk, and John stopped in front of the fence where the accident had happened.  I watched as he put his hands on his hips and studied the fence silently.  I realized that he still had not gotten over it, and perhaps even still blamed himself.

Danielle's wound was physical, and will heal with time.  My little brother was hurt inside, and I can only hope that this wound has already healed or is quickly on its way.  Perhaps you know someone (or it could be even yourself) who has had an accident happen because of something that they did.  It was not their fault, but they still feel like it was.  They are carrying the burden of it inside.  I encourage you today to pray for them...to pray that God would work in their lives, and they would be able to forgive themselves.  Or if this has happened in your life, turn to God, and seek His deliverance.  He is the Master Healer!  Turn to Him today.  God bless you and keep you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  What Is The Key To Life


1 Corinthians 10:31   “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it
all for the glory of God.”   (NIV)

Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

A man lays in his hospital bed with all kinds of tubes going in and hanging
from his body.   His head as bald as an eagle from the chemotherapy that he
has been going on for the past few months, and only given a few months
to live.   A few years ago, he gave his life to Christ.  A visitor stops in
and asks him, “What do you think is the key to life?”   After much thought,
he answers the visitor and says, “You know, now that I am in the condition
that I am in, I am realizing more and more that Paul was right when he said,
“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.“     I wish that I would have
learned that earlier in my life.”

Some of you have asked me this very same question through your response to
me asking for your ideas for the Sunday Request.  This is probably one of
the toughest questions that I have ever had to answer for this devotional. 
The reason being is that it is so easy to hit the surface for an answer, and
not find the foundation, but the bottom line is this: The key to life is for
us to live in Christ, and do all for the glory of God.   The question that I
have for you in response is, “How long will it take for you to figure this
out?”  I know that it has taken me almost 27 years, and I am only beginning
to scratch the surface on what it means for me to live is Christ and to die
is gain.  From the best of my knowledge that means that for me to live is to
glorify God in all that I do and enjoy Him forever.  I know that I have said
that a lot in my devotionals, but I firmly believe that is the foundation to
the key to our lives as Christians.

Friends, you see that we as teenagers think that we all have the answer to
life and have it all figured out.  We think that we know the answer to this
very question, when in actuality we only have scratched the surface like I
had earlier in my life when the true meaning in life is so much deeper than
that.  When we think of that statement it should be a passion for us to be
in Christ, to do what Christ would do, to live as Christ would live, to
serve one another as Christ would serve, and ultimately to glorify God in
all that we do.   For Paul and us to die would be our gain.  Why?  Because
when we die we are changed and with Christ forever, and it is to our gain.

So, what is the solution on how to make this key work in our lives.  The
solution to make this work on our lives is for us to make a change in our
mindset.  A change realizes that we have to get out of our selfish, posh
mindsets of this world, and change them into the mind of Christ, and realize
that if we want everything in life, it begins with Christ.  I would
encourage you not to wait until you are like the man mentioned above before
you totally figure it out.  I would encourage you to seek that answer out in
your life now, and watch what a revival and great awakening that can happen
in your life!  A passion for the glory of God!  I challenge you to be
consumed with that today!  May God Be With You

[Soldier4Christ]

  Cast Your Cares


Missy was the kind of girl that everyone wanted to know. She had lots of friends, she was always happy, always looked at the positive side of things, she was always there for her friends, and always had the time to listen and make you smile. She was one of those people who when you asked her how she was she never said bad, and 99% of the time her answer was great. She always found joy in something, something that often many wondered where she got the strength to find it in.

"Ask, using my name and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy." John 16:24 NIV

Missy found her joy, and the joy she shared with others in God. Her God, her Heavenly Father, and her best friend Jesus. That's how people always saw her as happy and cheerful. The past few days though, Missy had a strange feeling with in her. She had a full day at school, went to volleyball, and now was at home finished with her homework. She sat on her bed holding her pillow in her arms, as out of no where tears began to pour down her cheeks. For a reason unbenonce to her, Missy couldn't stop crying. For the past days sad feelings had building up inside of her, and her heart weighed heavy. Nothing impictular had been terribly wrong, but little things had piled up and eventually poured out. Missy needed peace, with herself, and with her issues.

"I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27

Friends, sometimes there are times in our life that pile up on us, and rain over us like rushing floods. But our God, he is there for us, to give us love, peace, joy, and an understanding.

Especially as teens we go through times where sometimes we just don't know who we are anymore, but God is there, to show us our path. " Cast all your cares upon him, for he cares for you." Turn your cares over to him.

Live in His grace always.

[Soldier4Christ]

  A Prayer That Saves


"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."
Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

Based on: Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)

The night was black.  James shivered in the cold, and pulled his cloak closer to his body.  He glanced up at the sky, and worry furrowed his brow.  Dark clouds loomed very close on the horizon.  Peter stood and looked behind them.  "It's coming closer." As one, he the other disciples began to row faster, hoping to outrun the brewing storm.

Suddenly the wind picked up and began whipping through the boat, tugging at hair and pushing against the disciples' backs.  James pulled harder, casting a look over his shoulder at Jesus, sleeping silently in the stern of the boat.  "Hurry!" John shouted above the whistling wind.  Rain began to beat down on their backs, and waves sloshed over the side of the small boat.  Feeling panicked, the disciples rowed faster, hoping to make it to the shore.  Cold water broke over James' knees. 

Jumping up, he and several other disciples stumbled to the stern.  Amazement flashed across their faces as they saw that Jesus was still asleep, despite the wind and the rain.  Andrew bent over Him and shouted, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"  Jesus slowly opened his eyes, and stood.  He held up his hands and to the amazment of the disciples told the wind and the waves, "Quiet! Be still!"  Immediately the wind stopped and the sea was calm.  Sadly, Jesus studied the wide-eyed men. "Why are you so afraid? Have you no faith?" He asked, gently rebuking them.  No one answered...they were terrified, because even the wind and rain obeyed this man...Jesus.

Friends, this story can apply to each of our lives.  Often our life or "boat" is sailing smoothly along.  Out of nowhere, a storm begins to appear.  This can be drugs, problems with your parents, stealing, or challenges at school.  We try to avoid the storm, taking desperate measures, knowing that Jesus is there the whole time, but not calling to Him for help.  The problem becomes larger, and waves start to drown you.  Finally, when there is no other alternative, you call to Jesus, who has been waiting patiently.  He steps in and gives you the help you have been needing.  Today, if you are going through a trial, don't wait to call Jesus until you're about to sink.  Raise your voice to Him in prayer...He's listening.  God bless you and keep you. 

[Soldier4Christ]

  What Happened Between God and Satan Part 2


Ezekiel 28:15-17   15    “You were blameless in your ways  From the day you
were created
Until unrighteousness was found in you.  16    “By the abundance of your trade
You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have
cast you as profane From the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O
covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire.  17  “Your heart was
lifted up because of your beauty;  You corrupted your wisdom by reason of
your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, That they
may see you.  (NASB)

Isaiah 14:12-14    12    “How you have fallen from heaven,  O star of the morning,
son of the dawn!  You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened
the nations! 13    “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I
will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of
assembly In the recesses of the north.     14    ‘I will ascend above the heights
of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15    “Nevertheless you
will be thrust down to Sheol,  To the recesses of the pit.  (NASB)


The History of Satan:  Why did Satan Rebel?

Last week, we learned that Satan was a very beautiful cherub in God’s
creation and was indeed a magnificent creation.  But, despite all of the
privilege and the position that he was given, he made a terrible choice to
rebel against God.   This choice plunged all of creation into the spiritual
war that you see before you and that you are living in now.

Satan, the Father of lies, (John 8:44)  actually lied to himself.  He
actually thought in his heart that he was better than God and could be a god
himself.  He refused to accept the fact that everything that he was came
from God, and that God was his creator.  He actually thought that he was the
source of his wisdom, authority, and beauty, and no longer wanted to listen
or submit to God’s authority.   He thought that he ought to be worshipped as
well.   This overwhelming pride led to rebellion and his fall from heaven.

Pride was Satan’s main problem.  It consumed him.  When his pride grew, he
determined to cause a revolt in heaven and overthrow the leadership and
seize all of God’s power.  Isaiah 14 tells us about his plan and attempt to
complete this hostile take over of heaven.  He forgot one thing though, all
of creation was made to worship God, and to work under one authority and
that was God’s.  Satan chose to operate from his own will, and each of the
“I will’s” mentioned in the verses are evidence of Satan’s idea to have more
power and to push God out of his life.  So, he performed a great tragedy, 
he began a spiritual war with God that he would never win!

So, what did God do about Satan’s rebellion?  Satan in all of his pride and
self-glorifications created a new belief in heaven.  That belief said,
“being away from God, and being in your own will is better than depending
upon God.”  This is a serious offense!  God would not put up with that, and
therefore God’s punishment was both swift and final.  (Ezekiel 28:16-17 and
Isaiah 14:12)   God in His holiness could not tolerate rebellion and evil in
His kingdom, and therefore, stripped Satan of his authority and cast Satan
down low to the nations and among the fiery stones.  Therefore, beginning
the spiritual battle that we are fighting now.

In conclusion, there is probably a lot more that we could say about our
adversary, but I noticed one thing that sparked my mind to think, as I hope
that it did yours as well.  Why did God throw Satan out of heaven?  PRIDE! 
Think about that for a second.  If pride is what threw Satan out of heaven,
what about our pride?  Are we putting God first in our lives as our creator
and the sustainer of all life?  Friends, don’t let pride get in the way of
your relationship with Christ.  Be sure to put Him first in all that you do.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Whatever Is True


Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
                -Philippians 4:8

I was over at a non-Christian gymnastics team overnight party last year.  We
had been out on the trampoline flipping and jumping around and having
tumbling contests in the back yard before dark.  When it got dark we went
inside and the girls clamored that we should watch a movie.  So of course we
did, they picked out a movie with sex scenes of unmarried couples, the movie
had a lot of cussing and things that weren't noble, right, pure, or
excellent.  I had read about this movie at an on-line Christian site that
comments on the most popular movies.  I knew what was in the movie and
didn't want to watch it.  But do you think one Christian would influence
eight non-Christians into watching a different movie? Most likely not.  So
what did I do? I went upstairs and called my parents to come pick me up.  I
wasn't going to sit around watching something I shouldn't! My parents came
to pick me up and we went home.  The next day at the gym the girls teased me
about being a "Miss Goody-Two-Shoes" and said some other things that hurt,
but I'm still glad that I left because I know I don't need that kind of junk
in my mind.

Whether it's TV, movies, magazines, music, or something else we, as
Christians, need to be filling our minds with true, right, noble, admirable,
excellent, and praiseworthy things.  Things that will please God.  Most of
the time this won't please non-Christian's because your not going along with
the crowd as expected.  You might get kidded and laughed at for doing what
you know is right, but it't better than going along with the crowd and later
having regrets about something you listened to, watched, or did.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Be The Barnabas in Your Church


Acts 4:34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time
those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales
35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he
had need. 36  Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called
Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),
37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles'
feet.  (NIV)

Acts 9:27  But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told
them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken
to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

You could hear a pin drop in the sanctuary last Sunday morning, as the
pastor read his resignation maybe to never return to the pastorate again. 
Tension had been in the air for months.  Anonymous letters, people with
petty problems that turned from little things and exploded into something
bigger than it should have been.  The deacons in a frenzy to find answers,
the pastor, and the youth pastor doing their best to lead.  A church that is
about to close its doors.  A church in shambles that needs to start over and
begin with a new core.

Sound familiar?  Maybe the problems in your church have not escalated to the
size that they have in my church, but it seems that we all have problems.
Maybe there are problems that are going on in your youth group, and maybe
you are in the middle of youth pastors or pastors.  Maybe things are going
really well in your church.  Statistics say that a pastors stay averages 2
years, and a youth pastors 9 months.   The question that I have is what can
we do about it?  We really need some Barnabas’ in our churches.

First, it is a shame that we all have to go through problems in our
churches, but we can be very supportive of them as well as encourage them in
all that they do.  Sure, we may not like all of the things that they are
doing, but we need to be supportive.

Second, be a Barnabas encourage your pastor, youth pastor, and church
leadership, like Barnabas encouraged Paul and stood up for him.  Let him
know that the hours that they are putting in are well appreciated.  The time
on the phone helping with a problem, the late night phone call, meetings,
visiting, the time studying for the sermon or Bible study.  It really is not
easy, and it may not seem like work to some people, but it is.  Send a card,
get a weird gift or send a crazy email or something.  Find a way to
encourage them.  Barnabas encouraged Paul, and we need to do the same.

Friends, we really need to support our local churches and the people that we
have in them. It just seems that there are so many people discouraged about
church, and about what is going on in their churches.  If you are one of
those people, why not begin by being a Barnabas and encouraging your
leadership and see what the Lord will do in your churches.  Be challenged to
encourage one another, and especially your pastors. Won’t you do that today?

[Soldier4Christ]

  A First Miracle


Based On: John 2:1-11

The servants stared at each other wide-eyed.  How could this have happened?  It was simply not possible...when their master found out, he would be furious!  An older servant Enosh motioned the others to follow him away from the noise and laughter of the wedding feast.  They paused in the entrance to the house, bent together.

"It is gone!" one moaned, shaking his head. "What will we do?"

Taking a deep breath Enosh tried to think.  They could not delay much longer.  Soon the guests at the wedding feast would be clamoring for more wine.  And with so many of them drunk, it would not do to arouse their anger...especially that of his master.     

"Is something wrong?" A woman's voice broke into their distressed counsel.

Turning swiftly, Enosh saw an older woman, Mary, he believed, with her Son and several other men.  The servants glanced at each other, blushing with embarrassment.  Once again, it would be Enosh's job to explain.

"It is a small matter, but our wine has run out, and we fear to tell the master," words tumbled out of his mouth...words he had not planned to speak.

Mary turned to her Son, Jesus. "They have no more wine," she said softly, looking into His eyes.

"Dear woman," Jesus replied after a moment, "why do you involve me? My time has not yet come."

Silence reigned in the outer court as the mother and Son gazed at each other.  Something seemed to pass between them, and Mary turned to the servants.

"Do whatever he tells you," Mary said, smiling gently.

Enosh could barely keep his mouth closed when he heard Jesus' commands.  He glanced in disbelief at his companions.  They were to take the ceremonial washing jars...the ones the Jews had been using to cleanse their hands before joining the feast, and fill them with water. 

However, Enosh was a servant, and pushing down his doubts he stepped forward and with the help of another servant, picked up one of the jars that could hold thirty gallons of water.  Staggering out to the well, the servants filled each of the stone jars to the brim, and then carried them back inside.

"Now, draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet," Jesus commanded. 

Again Enosh struggled with disbelief.  That was all, Jesus was not going touch the water, nor was he going to drop anything into it.  Taking a dipper and then filling a goblet, Enosh gathered his courage and went to the master of the banquet.  He stared down into the cup, and realized that it did not hold water.  Barely keeping his hand from trembling in awe, he handed the goblet to the tall man who was presiding over the arrangements of the feast. 

After taking a deep drink from the goblet, the master of the banquet closed his eyes, and smiled.  Handing the glass to Enosh without glancing at the servant, he motioned for the bridegroom to join them.

"Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now," he said, clapping the groom on the back.

Enosh turned away, amazement filling him.  The best wine...how was it possible?  Suddenly he caught Jesus' eye as the Nazarene was seated with the guests at the table.  Covering his face, Enosh left the room.  He had looked at the Son of God.

Friends, we are like the stone water jugs.  Inside we hold dirty water...or many sins.  But that does not stop God from doing a miracle.  He takes our sins, and pours them out refilling us with His love.  You can never do anything so wrong or so evil that God will not forgive you and wipe it away.  Allow Jesus into your life today by accepting Him as your Savior.  God bless you and keep you!   

[Soldier4Christ]

  God's Image



“Why do we need to be pretty in the first place? Why does it bother us so
much? Why do we spend so much of our lives striving for it? It's one thing
to be healthy, in shape.  But we want to be attractive. Is it just hormones?
Does it all simply stem from a base desire to attract guys and attract more
guys than other girls do? Or
is there something deeper?”

Genesis 1:27     God created man in His own image, in the image of God He
created him; male and female He created them.  (NASB)

Ephesians 2:10    For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.   (NASB)


I am a victim of it.  I am not sure how many of you are, but I am.  I was
the freak and the one getting all of the made fun of.  It was me.   I had a
disease when I was younger that ate away the bone down the center of my
forehead and let a mark.  Veins, if you will, that are very noticeable. 
Jr. High was a nightmare for me.  Kids calling me different names trying to
make them look better than I was, when in actuality, I was better than they
were for taking all of the mess.   At 13, I had plastic surgery, did not
help much.  Tried some make up, did not matter.  Until I learned that it was
because God created me that I am what I am, it bothered me to the point of
frustration with myself and others.

Friends, it happens to all of us.  In one way or another we have all been
made fun of, and we think that we have to be pretty, or we have to be the
beauty queen or Macho Man, but that is not true.    It is more than just
hormones, but a sense to feel wanted to blend in with the crowd and not be
made fun of, and we strive to be beautiful because the sinful nature and the
people of this world have set expectations of all of us, when in reality we
need to follow God’s expectations.

First, we have to know that God created us in His image, meaning that we are
reflections of his glory, His “poem” if you will.  We are created by Him to
do good works and to reflect His character.  The problem is that we are so
worried about other peoples appearance that we forget that above mentioned
fact, and we criticize each other when in contrast we are actually
criticizing our Creator.  This has given so many of us a complex, and we
neglect to see the inner beauty that God has given us.

The solution to this matter involves a total change in mindset.   We have to
remember that God does command us to take care of our bodies that He gave
us.  Sure, we may all may have a blemish here and there, on our bodies that
makes us different, but that should not matter.  Sure, some of us may like
to spend hours in the powder room, or in front of the mirror, but that
should not matter either.  What should matter is the inner soul that truly
designs what our beauty is, and what we are.   I don’t think that I ever
realized that until I read the above passages.

Friends, we are here to do good works for our Lord.  We are never to look at
the outside appearance of a person, but we are to look at the way that God
made them.   If we started doing that and seeing the artwork of God that is
in all of us, I believe that we could see our relationships grow stronger,
as well as our churches and our youth groups.  How about it?  I challenge
you to do that today, look for the inner beauty and not the outward beauty
in a person.  Let God’s Glory Reflect in You.

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Story Of Job


He replied, "You are talking as a foolish woman.  Shall we accept good from
God, and not trouble?" - Job 2:10

Satan had asked God to allow him to test Job to see how much it would take
to get Job to curse God.  God allowed this, Satan could harm anyone related
to Job and take away all his earthly possessions, but he couldn't kill Job. 
So, Job was having an awful time of it, he had been one of the wealthiest
men in the country.  Now he had lost sheep, camels, oxen, donkeys, his
servants, and even his own sons and daughters.  And on top of it all he had
become sick, he got sores from his feet up to his head.  He was in constant
pain.  The only family member that had survived besides Job was his wife. 
And you know what she said to Job? She told him to curse God for giving us
trouble and then die.  Imagine how Job felt, his wife-the woman he
loves-told him to curse God and die!  But Job just told her she was talking
like a foolish woman and asked her why we should accept good from God and
yet not accept bad from Him.  During all of this time he still hadn't sinned
against God.

Job asked a good question, why should we accept good from God and not bad?
If God gave Job all his livestock, sons and daughters don't you think He
should be able to take them back at any moment?

Why is it that sometimes we remember to thank God for everything when it's
going great and yet when it's going horrible we curse God? Why can't we
learn to accept good and bad? What makes us so special that we only have
good things happen to us? We aren't perfect so why should we have a perfect
life? As I end think of Job's question, why should we accept good from God
and not trouble? Why should we accept good from God when we aren't prepared
to accept trouble in life?

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Mountain Of Patience


Habbakkuk  1:3  “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens
toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it
will certainly come, it will not delay. (NASB)

James 1:2-4   2    Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various
trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And
let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking in nothing.  (NASB)

Colossians 3: 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,
put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

Galatatians 5:22    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,


After the joy of my senior year, my dad and step-Mom wonderfully took the
three of us children for a trip out west to ultimately end up at Grandma's
house in Solvang, CA.   While on the way out there, we stopped at many
places to see the joy of God’s beauty and to spend time together looking at
different things.  One of the stops we made was in Colorado to see all of
the mountains.   We could see them off in the distance as we drove towards
them, and it was a site that I will never forget. Those mountains have been
standing as long as creation, and possibly could have been formed even more
through the flood. They have withstood the weather, been through
earthquakes, and even have been through man and his venture for technology.

I have heard people say, “Never pray for patience, because God will
definitely give it to you.”   That bothers me a bit when people say that,
because we are not asked to pray for patience, but are called to live in
patience.  We as Christians are called to seek out the glory of God in all
that we do, and that takes more patience then we can ever imagine.

Moses is just one example in the Bible that was a man with a mountain of
patience.  He endured through many things to lead the people out of Egypt,
and was a man that when given a vision of God was not devoted to himself,
but devoted to the Glory of God. That, my friends takes a lot of patience.

Many of us have withstood the earthquakes, weather, and man to see our
Christian lives flourish.  We are called to keep it up.  To be mountains in
our patience and keep on enduring through our Christian lives, and to have
the fruit of patience throughout all of the things that we face in our lives
so that the endurance of the patience may teach us to glorify God more. 
Take on a new mindset and ambition today.  Seek the calling that we as
Christians are called to do through patience, and may we be those mountains
of patience throughout all of our lives.  Be patient and glorify God in
everything. May God’s Grace Abound In You.