Devotions for Teens

[Soldier4Christ]

  To give or to Recieve

When I baby sit my brothers at this time of the year, its more challenging than any other. I believe that their whole goal in life in the month of December is to get to the presents under the tree as soon as they can.

Then I look at my sisters, who sneak around the Christmas tree, when they think no one else is around. They find all the presents with their names on them, and shake, rattle, and turn them until they are positive that they know what is in them.

Its sad though...I look around and see all the things that we are getting for Christmas, all the parties that I go to. All the cards and little gifts that I exchange with my friends. The new dresses and outfits that we get for Christmas card pictures, and get toghters.

I look under the tree and I know that the new rollerblades that I wanted are there. Along with the stereo, and cloths I thought were cute at the mall. There are all the newest fisherprice toys for my baby brother, a Furby for my sister, and a remote control car for my brother. All the material things that they could ever want.

Our society has given Christmas an image of shopping and Santa, candy canes and carolers.

But then I think about some thing that my school did. I live in a small town called Wayzata, which is on a large lake, making it a very tourstie town. As well as giving it a reputation of being very rich and preppy. Our high school is thought that way among all of the others in our sports conference. So our high school ever year has what we call a class cash war. Each grade’s student council members carry around Christmas buckets for one week, and everyone brings in money for these buckets. At the end of the week we count up the money and the winning class goes shopping. Not shopping for themselves though. We adopt five families, five families with children, that cant have Christmas because they can not afford it. This year we collected $ 8,956 for those families, and got them things for their Christmas.

Isn’t that what our grandparents use to tell us when we were little and so excited that we couldn’t wait for the 25th to roll around? “Its not the getting at Christmas but the giving.”

As teens we especially tend to be material orented, and focus mainly on if our shoes are in, or if we are wearing the right jeans. But there are those who cant have those things, and much less the name brands.

Friends everyone can spare something, weather it be $1 or $100, everyone can give something at Christmas time.

“The rich are not to give more than half a shekel, and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the Lord, atone for your lives.” Exodus 30:15 NIV

A line in the Lords prayer says “Give us this day our daily bread” The lord provides for us all that we need, as Christians we want to do the same for those around us, because of the great love that God has and what he gives to us. He is our example and we are to live like him.

[Soldier4Christ]

  The Shepherds : The First Visitors

The Gospel of Luke tells us the wonderful story of the shepherds who were tending their sheep in the fields around Bethlehem.

Luke 2:8-20
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An Angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the Angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

In Biblical times, the shepherds were very nomadic, a wandering people who had no roots, no personal possessions beyond what they could carry. When the shepherds came to a town, they were not welcomed into the town with open arms. The townspeople warned each other, locked up their valuables and kept their daughters in, keeping a respectable distance between them and the shepherds. They were the lowlife of society at that time (I do not like that word but it is the reality they faced every day) This simple event set the tone for the ministry of Jesus that continues to this day. God, in His infinite wisdom, chose common people to announce the birth of the Savior and in doing so, tells everyone that EVERY PERSON, no matter where his status is in any culture, IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO HIM AS ANY OTHER. I am not a CEO or a high government official and I praise God for that. I know that our Savior came for me and especially for you. As teens, you can be assured that Jesus came for you, will love you forever, will teach you about His Father and grant you, through the Grace of His Father, a place in Heaven right next to him. I have faced much adversity in my life and the Grace of God has guided me through it. The same will be true for you; no matter what adversity you face as you grow in your walk with God. You are the princes and princesses of God's Kingdom and no man or even Satan can take that away from you. Believe in that and trust in that and we will all meet in Heaven someday. God loves you and I love you all. Merry Christmas.

[Soldier4Christ]

  A Gift For Jesus

God can take the worst of situations and turn them around to the best of lesson's for His Children.

The tree is up, the lights are hung, and presents start to form under the tree. Christmas is almost hear. Last miniute shopping along with spending time with loved one's take up most of the week. But, for some it's not like this. Some people do not have very many if any presents, and some may not have enough to survive on let alone be able to give.

Growing up, I have been able to experince both sides of the coin when it has come to the topic of money. I have lived times in my life when my parents were very well off. Yet, I spent many other times when we were doing everything we could just to scrape by. Right now I am in the middle. I am making that transistion from living under my parents control and money to more freedom and more bills.

During this holiday season all was not well in my finacial life. Yes my family was doing well but I myself was not, and I have to support myself. It's a horrible feeling when you see everyone buying Christmas presents, yet you can't seem to spare a penny. The other day I didn't think things could get any worse until I looked up in my rear view mirror and saw the flashing lights. I didn't make a complete stop while turning right at a red light and the cop decided he wanted to come over and say hi and wish me a Merry Christmas.

Well, those were not his exact words. The cop came up to my door and said. "Well son, this isn't your lucky day, is it." Now I just met this guy, but for some reason I could tell that he wasn't wishing me a happy new year. Instead he gave me a little yellow ticket and had me give him my autograph in return. The erge to tell him to repent for he knows not what he does crossed my mind a few times. But I knew that would only make things worse.

As I drove off it starting hitting me that now there was no way I was going to be able to buy my family Christmas presents. I almost started crying when reality set in. What was I going to do? I started praying for help. I turned on the radio and a song said something to the effect that God takes the bad situations and turn them out for my good. Then the D.J. stated after that the verse above. At that point I knew God was in control. That night I went to work and a girl came up to me wanting to buy my 5-wheel racing inlines. (I have been trying to sell them for a while). I thought she was just another person who wanted to just take them for a spin when she laid ten 50 dollor bills in my hand.

Friends, God does have a way to turn things around. I thought I was going to have to sit with my family watching everyone else give presents and myself have nothing to give. But I trusted God. I trusted His Word, and most of all I trusted my heart when He told me that everything would be ok. If we just give everything, our whole lives to God, He will watch over us. He will never let us take on more than we can handle and loves us so much that He will always provide. This Christmas He did just that. If it wasn't for Him, who knows what my life would be like. Tis the season, to truly be jolly. May peace be with you

[Soldier4Christ]

  To give or to Receive

When I baby sit my brothers at this time of the year, its more challenging than any other. I believe that their whole goal in life in the month of December is to get to the presents under the tree as soon as they can.

Then I look at my sisters, who sneak around the Christmas tree, when they think no one else is around. They find all the presents with their names on them, and shake, rattle, and turn them until they are positive that they know what is in them.

Its sad though...I look around and see all the things that we are getting for Christmas, all the parties that I go to. All the cards and little gifts that I exchange with my friends. The new dresses and outfits that we get for Christmas card pictures, and get toghters.

I look under the tree and I know that the new rollerblades that I wanted are there. Along with the stereo, and cloths I thought were cute at the mall. There are all the newest fisherprice toys for my baby brother, a Furby for my sister, and a remote control car for my brother. All the material things that they could ever want.

Our society has given Christmas an image of shopping and Santa, candy canes and carolers.

But then I think about some thing that my school did. I live in a small town called Wayzata, which is on a large lake, making it a very tourstie town. As well as giving it a reputation of being very rich and preppy. Our high school is thought that way among all of the others in our sports conference. So our high school ever year has what we call a class cash war. Each grade’s student council members carry around Christmas buckets for one week, and everyone brings in money for these buckets. At the end of the week we count up the money and the winning class goes shopping. Not shopping for themselves though. We adopt five families, five families with children, that cant have Christmas because they can not afford it. This year we collected $ 8,956 for those families, and got them things for their Christmas.

Isn’t that what our grandparents use to tell us when we were little and so excited that we couldn’t wait for the 25th to roll around? “Its not the getting at Christmas but the giving.”

As teens we especially tend to be material orented, and focus mainly on if our shoes are in, or if we are wearing the right jeans. But there are those who cant have those things, and much less the name brands.

Friends everyone can spare something, weather it be $1 or $100, everyone can give something at Christmas time.

“The rich are not to give more than half a shekel, and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the Lord, atone for your lives.” Exodus 30:15 NIV

A line I in the Lords prayer says “Give us this day our daily bread” The lord provides for us all that we need, as Christians we want to do the same for those around us, because of the great love that God has and what he gives to us. He is our example and we are to live like him.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Friends are the Flowers of Life

"Friends are the flowers of life." Those are the words of someone who was very close to me, and very wise.

When you are young, you meet your friends in the sand box at the neighborhood park. You find your first puppy love at your first day of kindergarten.

Eventually as you keep moving up into 3rd grade, then junior high, and eventually into high school, you develop relationships. Relationships that are not romantic, but relationships that mean the world to you, true friends.True friends are what make you smile on days when you are gray. True friends are what made you realize when you are wrong. Friends are those who understand and don't make you explain. True friends are those who you can look at across the room and they will know exactly what you are thinking. Friends are those who you share your secrets with, and those who you have inside jokes with. Friends are those who let you cry on there teddy when you are just sad. Your friends are those who you will never forget, who you will share the most memorable times of your life with. Weather they be fun, joyous, surprising, sad, or heartbreaking, if you have true friends, you will always have a shoulder to lean on.

God gave us these special people, to bring us joy and happiness. He put these earth angels here for us to grow with and learn from.


"A friend loves at all times" Proverbs 17:17a NIV
Not only did God send you friends, but he sent you to be a good friend, a good Christian friend. One who will love and care for others. Sometimes our friends can be hurtful, and plane out mean, and its so easy to snap back at them, and sometimes we want to hurt them more than they did us. But that is not what God tells us, he says that a friend loves at ALL times. That doesn't mean just on Mondays, or just at parities, not just when you are at school or when you are having a good day, but ALWAYS.

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 NIV

A friend that sticks closer than a brother... In Christ we are all brothers and sisters in Him. To your friends you can be closer than a brother, or closer than a sister. You can remind them on days that they are bumming, that our God is there for them, just as you are, and he love you always. You can be there earth angel.
May your friends be as numerous as the stars in the heavens.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Adoption : Part of God's Plan

Adoption is a choice; you are one of the chosen ones. In common language, adoption is the legal process where a person accepts parental responsibility for another person's child. The Old Testament has only two direct references to this situation when Mordecal adopted Esther, his uncle's daughter (Esther 2:15) and Moses who became the adopted son of the Pharaoh (Exodus 2:1-10). Both of these events reflect a conscious choice by the natural parents to give up their child because of unfavorable circumstances. It is interesting to note that both children became very prominent personalities, in the grace of God, and chosen by God for very special tasks.

The New Testament uses the term "adoption" to describe a new status when they accept Jesus as their savior and are affirmed in a special and intimate personal relationship with God. They become children of God (Luke 20:36, Romans 9:26, Galatians 3:26). All of this signifies a new beginning and a special position characterized by love and hope. It is a conscious choice by God's children to become one with God and with their Savior. In belonging to Christ, believers become Abraham's offspring and heirs with him of God's promise. This is also applies to the current version of adoption. Parents make a conscious, loving choice to accept a child as a permanent part of their family without judging or condemning the person who has to give up the child. Most of the time, a parent gives up a child out of love and understanding that under current circumstances the child would be better off if another family accepted the responsibility for raising the child as their own.

Today's adopted child is a very special child. If you know that you are adopted, please know that your adopted parents love you very much or they would not have gone through the adoption process. It is a very long, complicated process that is designed to provide a good home to a child who needs a good home. Most Christian churches are very active in helping deserving parents adopt. Also please know that the chances are very good that the natural parents gave up their child out of love and understanding that their child deserves security and love, something the natural parents are not in a position to provide. As an adopted child, you are a chosen child who is truly loved and cherished. Never forget that, because as you get older you will naturally ask the inevitable questions about your natural parents. Unfortunately, most states have laws that limit the access to the very private information about the natural parent and it can be a very frustrating experience trying to get information on them. God places the family and especially children above almost everything. The Bible is full of examples of how God feels about his children. Also please remember that you are reading this because your natural parents made the right choice, the other choice would have been abortion. Praise God for his wisdom in protecting you and giving you a save secure home and loving parents.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Joy In His Love

John 15:9- Jesus Says, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father'' commands and remain in his love. I have told you this, so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Complete Joy!!! The word Joy means happiness, delight, and gladness. A source of pleasure. When I think of the word joy, I always think of Christmas. I don't hear the word joy used often in conversations. I hear the word joy used in church or like I said at Christmas. But Jesus did not say that we could only experience joy at Christmas or when we go to church. Joy is ours for all times. We should have joy in our hearts because we have God's love in our hearts. I think one of the best Christmas Carols sums up what Joy should mean to us, but not just for Christmas or on Sundays, but for everyday.


Joy To the World
Joy to the Word, The Lord has come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room!
Let Heaven and Nature sing!


Joy came to the world when Jesus was born. He is our Lord. Let the earth receive her King. All people on earth from the day of his birth to right now need to receive the King. We need to prepare our hearts for His love. Praise Him and let all in Heaven and on earth sing his praise. Joy to the world through Jesus Christ. This joy is yours, experience God and his joy right now. Prepare your heart for Him, remain in His commands, obey him and receive His Joy!!!

[Soldier4Christ]

  Parents and Discipline

"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline." Rev. 3:19


"Be home by 10:00 and no later!"
"Oh, mom, do I have to? All the other kids get to stay out later."


My mom is so strict! I mean she tells me who I can be friends with, how long I can stay out and even exactly what I can and can't do! I mean really! She must think I'm six years old! I just turned sixteen and can drive, but with all her rules, it's amazing she'll even let me out of the driveway.
Have you ever thought this way? Ever wondered why your parents are so strict when it seems the other kids get to do whatever they want to? Why is it you have to be in at 10:00, but your friends get to stay out until 12:00? Why do you have to help around the house, but your friends don't have to do a thing? Why is it you have to get all your homework done before going anywhere, but your friends don't even have to open their books?

It's called love. Your parents love you enough to show you the right way of doing things. God gives parents many examples of this. When the Israelites disobeyed God, they had to wander in the desert for forty years. Just as there were consequences for the Israelites, there are consequences when parents are not obeyed. Sneaking out and going to that party may mean alcohol is served and the police called for underage drinking. Even worse, someone could drive home under the influence of alcohol and have an accident. Parents were teenagers once and know all the things that can happen if rules are broken. They want to protect their children from the consequences. So, if you have a parent who is strict, thank God for them. If your parents are Christians and strict, praise God! They love you and want the best for you.

[Soldier4Christ]

  Faith: What you do tells what you Believe

When God speaks to you (and He will), how you react will tell you what you believe about God. Your reactions will speak much louder that your words and your faith in the face of the many obstacles your will encounter will be demonstrated by your strength and power in the midst of adversity. The book of Matthew addresses the importance of faith several times. Matthew 8:5-13 tells of a Roman Centurion who came to Jesus and asked that Jesus heal his servant. The Centurion demonstrated such faith in God that Jesus told his followers that he had never found anyone in Israel who had stronger faith. In contrast, Matthew 8:23-27 talks of the weak faith of the disciples exhibited while they were in a small boat during a severe storm. Jesus told them "You of little faith, why are you so afraid." In Matthew 9:20-22, Jesus was approached by a woman who suffered from bleeding for 12 years. Her faith was so strong in the face of her adversity that she felt that if she could just touch the cloak of Jesus, she would be healed. Jesus saw her and told her "your faith has healed you."

This last verse is very powerful and explains the importance that your Savior places on true and absolute faith. As young men and women, some of you are still growing in your faith, some of you are just starting to understand how your faith will carry you high and some of you are struggling to strengthen your faith, maybe not fully understanding how something as easy as placing all of your faith in Jesus can make a difference. I can tell you firsthand that a person with very strong faith, a person who has faith strong enough to place everything in his life in the hands of Jesus will truly have an inner peace and joy that is like a shield from Satan's adversities. It really is hard sometimes to trust in your faith enough to take your problems to God. That is exactly what God wants you to do. The more you do it and God helps you through your problems, the easier it is to do it over and over. Over and over in the scriptures, God has asked us to trust him and to bring our problems to Him for help. Faith is the result of a very strong communication, through the Holy Spirit, with God which is a two way street (He speaks. You listen, You speak, He listens). Build your faith each day and you will have peace a joy in your heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

Let's Get This Party Started!

Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, "Come along with me." Matthew stood up and followed him. Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riff-raff?" Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: "I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders." (Matthew 9:9-13- The Message)

Probably just another average run of the mill day for Matthew. Not that his job was all that bad. Actually he sort of had a love/hate thing going with the whole tax collector gig. On the one hand, this job pretty much put him on Easy Street since he could skim profit from anyone he liked. Yet that in turn created the problem: skimming from your own kind is not a great way to win friends and influence people. So for the moment, his love for money was a little stronger than his need for relationships.

But that moment was about to change...

He had heard of Jesus, and he actually had it down to talk to him about His so-called 'non-profit' ministry. So when he saw the Lord coming towards him, he had a barrage of inquiries ready to go. The funny thing though, is that Jesus spoke first, and it wasn't at all like Matthew had expected. He anticipated the standard religious speech about how he was a cheat and a liar- blah blah blah. Instead, Christ made a simple request in one short sentence: "Come along with me".

Matthew knew immediately that this was not an invitation to backstage passes with Jesus and the band. No, He meant commitment- the kind that would last the rest of his natural life- then on into eternity. Maybe that's why it was so easy for him, then, to simply get up and leave behind his career, means of income, and sense of security. At that moment in time Matthew realized that no paycheck was worth trading for an opportunity to serve the Living God of the universe.

Later on that night, his notion was confirmed. Matthew's only friends at the time were people just like him: liars, cheaters, prostitutes, drunks, and all the other folks who wouldn't be caught dead in a church. So naturally he invited them all over to his house to meet the Man who had changed his life in one encounter.

But surprise surprise! The 'religious' folks of the day had kept track of Jesus' latest recruit- and now they had caught Him red-handed with all the black-listed folks. So they started a little whisper campaign designed to ruin Christ's reputation. You might have expected Jesus to get a little defensive, but instead He turns the insults back on them to make a point. Basically He lets them know that if they think grace is only for the goodie two shoes of the world, they have never even read the Bible they love claiming to be experts on.

That was probably all Matthew needed to hear. All his life he had been shunned by those claiming to represent God, yet here is God Himself asking him to follow along. From then on his relationship with Christ beat the tar out of his love for a paycheck- or anything else for that matter.

To me, people are usually in the same place as one or more of the players in the story above. Some are like Matthew and his friends- in self-serving materialistic positions that aren't providing the hope and meaning they thought it would, and they need a Savior. Some folks think that you are the last persons on earth that God would care about, much less call into His service.

I've got great news for you...nothing could be further from the truth. God specializes in helping folks who feel the farthest away from Him. Perhaps you are reading this and you know exactly what I'm talking about. Jesus has invited you to the party my friend, all you need to do is show up.

Others of you are like the religious people in the story. When the rich and famous show up at your church or youth group, you fall all over yourself to be seen with them- and you pray fervently for their salvation because of "what they could do for the Kingdom". Yet if a prostitute, homosexual, drug addict, or any other type of "worldly" person darkened the door, you wouldn't know what to do- except maybe to recruit the biggest deacon to throw them out.

Don't think you're like that? Let me ask you a few questions then -

    * Have you ever started a rumor about someone?
    * Have you ever felt 'better' about yourself when you crossed paths with a 'sinner'?
    * What would you think if you saw your pastor at a raging booze party?
    * Do you feel that there are some people who don't 'deserve' to hear the gospel?

Jesus made His point clear: self-righteous, legalistic, judgmental people are Bible idiots. I know, I used to be one- but by the grace of God He rescued me from my own ignorance- and my walk with Him has never been the same.

Perhaps today you could take a hard look at where you would have fit in this story, and if any changes need to be made. Better make it quick, though, because the party isn't going to last forever!

[Soldier4Christ]

Feeling Discouraged?

Too often in our lives we experience the hurt of discouragement and rejection.So often we feel as though nothing else could possibly go wrong, and then it does... You fight with a friend, you fail a test, you get fired from a job, you get cut from the sports team, you loose an important relationship, and your dreams and plans fall apart before your eyes.

It is so common to encounter painful times in our lives where God feels distant.It feels as though we walk the hard road alone, and no one understands the struggles we are going through.When disappointment comes, it floods our lives all at once, and defeat slowly creeps in until we feel like giving up.

Personally, I have struggled with discouragement in my life a lot lately.Every time I turn the corner I face more rejection, or someone telling me I'm not quite good enough.At least so it seems.I know people don't intend to make me feel that way, but the reality of it is, I just can't help feeling discarded and worthless.I catch myself buying into the lies that Satan desperately wants me to believe.He wants me to give up and throw in the towel. He wants me to think there is no hope for my life.Yet God's word tells me otherwise.He desires to build character within my life, and mature me, so I can be more available to do His work.

    Romans 5:3-5 says,"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (esv.)

Even during the hardest and most disappointing times in our lives, God is creating Christ-like character within us.Suffering is a part of God's plan to make us more compassionate and loving.However, He does not make us go through the struggles alone, but walks with us every step of the way, and gives us strength to keep moving forward despite opposition. In fact, in Deuteronomy 31:8, we learn, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

God also tells us not to give up because His plan is far beyond our comprehension; If something doesn't work out the way we expect it to, we must recognize God's sovereignty, knowing He never shuts one door without opening another, which is far better according to His plan for each of us!

    2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."(esv.)

Be encouraged, brothers and sisters.You are not alone in your trials.In fact, Jesus himself knows rejection greater than anyone else.He wants to mend your heart and restore you, so He can use you for something incredible!! Even if you don't understand why at the time, just wait, because He knows what is best for you!

[Soldier4Christ]

Put on Your Nikes!



 ...  I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. ...  (I John 2:13)

I recently attended a D.C Talk concert where Kevin Mac and his band did a cover of a song that is from way back in the day. It's called "We are the Champions", and it was released in 1977 by a band called Queen. Over the years, it's become a favorite tune for people to sing when their particular team wins and they want to celebrate. Everybody in the entire audience knew the words to that song, even though it came out before most of them were born.

Why after all these years is that composition still so the rage? People love to win, and when they win they love to celebrate it.

Guess what? If you are a Christian, you are the champion. God says so in I John 2:13. Not only that, but you are a victor over the single most evil being in the universe: Satan himself. Notice he didn't say you will win the battle with Satan, or you might win the battle with the devil, but you are already triumphant.

You won. It's over. No investigation into the judging. No rematch, replay or recount. In fact, the Greek word that John uses for "won" is the same word that we get "Nike" from. So in other words: put on your Nikes!

This doesn't mean that you won't struggle, sin, fail, and flounder in your walk with Christ in the years to come- but it does mean that you should celebrate the overwhelming triumph you were granted when you trusted Christ. The minute you take of your Nikes, the devil will start stepping on your feet.

So to help you remember your championship status, here is a list of Nike slogans (from the Bible) that apply to you:

    But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:57)

    I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

    But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. (II Corinthians 2:14)

    In this way, God disarmed the evil rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross of Christ. (Colossians 2:15)

    So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. (Romans 8:1-2)

    You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (I John 4:4)

    No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (I Corinthians 10:13)

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting
Till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the World

[Soldier4Christ]

Where are you God?

A speeding motorist was caught by radar from a police helicopter in the sky. An officer pulled him over and began to issue a traffic ticket.

    "How did you know I was speeding?" the frustrated driver asked.

    The police officer pointed somberly toward the sky.

    "You mean," asked the motorist, "that even He is against me?"

I'm sure at one time or another we have all felt like this. Change, disappointment, heartache, and betrayals can make us feel like God is out to get us. Add to that unanswered prayer, boring church experiences, and little to no interest in spiritual things- and presto! You have all the ingredients for an anti-God recipe.

And that's just where Satan would love us to be.

Just like Bruce Almighty, we blame God for the negative things in our lives- and even think sometimes that we could handle things better. It is at those moments that we are faced with some very critical choices. We can choose to bitterly throw up our hands and decide that Jesus has forgotten about us, or we can choose to desperately drop to our knees and decide to trust His word over our feelings.

Why do I say that?

The idea or notion that "He" is against you is nothing short of a lie from the enemy designed to turn you away from Christ. The very moment you start believing that you have fallen out of favor with the Father, you play straight into the strategies of Satan. It is at those times that you stop praying, stop believing, and stop trusting all the promises of Scripture. Can there be any more depressing place in the entire universe?

Perhaps that's why God has gone out of His way to assure and reassure believers again and again that there really is no such place as God's doghouse.

Am I saying that you're a bad person because you have questions and doubts?

Absolutely not! Some of the closest people to God in the universe had questions and doubts as well...only they didn't get bitter, they got better. They refused to believe that their Creator would turn His back on His own child. So despite all outward appearances, they clung tightly to their faith and navigated through the rough waters of life.

So lately life has been pulling you over and writing you tickets? My advice would be to slow down, look at the signs, and meditate on the unbelievable words of the Daddy who never leaves:

For God has said,

    "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

    If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else? (Romans 8:32)

    O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.

    You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.
    You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!

    I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence!
    If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.
    If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night--but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.

    To you the night shines as bright as day.
    Darkness and light are both alike to you.

    You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

    How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:1-18)

    And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

[Soldier4Christ]

Got Peace?

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them. One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest... perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize?

The King chose the second picture. "Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace." (Catherine Marshall)

Seems to me that most of us would have chosen the first picture- I know I would have. And do you know why? Because we've been deceived into thinking that peace is a by-product of circumstances. That at some point we will get all of our stuff together, and all will be as calm as a mountain lake on a perfect day

So we toil and strive trying to find tranquility in our lives by trying to remove all that seems difficult. In the back of our minds is a little voice saying: "if only..."

    * If only I didn't have to go to school
    * If only I didn't have to work
    * If only I had a different family
    * If only I had more money
    * If only I had more time
    * If only (fill in the blank), I would have more peace in my life.

Meanwhile, God in Heaven is longing to give you the stillness you are looking for...and He is whispering "If only you would look to me for true peace, I would give it to you".

The King in the story is right. True peace can be found even in the midst of the most difficult and trying circumstances, because God lives inside you. He really desires for you to live life the way He designed it, which is to be at peace with yourself and the world around you.

So how do you get there?

Not by changing your circumstances, because you really don't have a lot of control in that area. Oh sure, you have choices, but you cannot control the choices that other people make-which is usually what ends up trashing our tranquility.

The secret to internal peace is changing your perspective. Here's the advice God gives:

    You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3)

Simple principle, don't you think? Yet sometimes very difficult to apply. Basically, if your mind is constantly fixed on God and His Word, there remains no room for the attacks of worry and stress that kill any hope of peace in our lives. Like the little bird, we need to quit looking around and start looking up to our Creator, and repeating over and over what He has already promised us.

Where to start? Here are a few promises that you can stash in your nest for future study:

    Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27)

    I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

    But the fruit of the Spirit is...peace (Galatians 5:22)

    Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6)

[Soldier4Christ]

The Rock that Doesn't Roll



    The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. . Psalm 18:2

Perhaps you are feeling like you're having a tough week. Yet before you get too downcast, keep reading.

Several years ago, a man named Frank Perkins of Los Angeles made an attempt on the world flagpole-sitting record. While he was on the pole, he caught the flu. Eventually, his sickness became so advanced that he was forced to come down eight hours short of the 400-day record. When he came down from his 399-day ordeal, this is what he discovered:

   1. His sponsor had gone bust
   2. His girlfriend had left him
   3. His phone service was cancelled
   4. His electricity was cut off

While most of us aren't experiencing troubles of that caliber, all of us go through difficult and trying circumstances. ometimes it can seem like the entire world has turned its back on us. Other times it feels as though God Himself has disappeared into the blinding pain of our burdens.

Are you suffering? Let me suggest an exercise that has been helpful to me. Right now, make a list of all the negative things in your life.

Now read Psalm 18:1-6. Here is David, the "man after God's own heart", who is making his own list of troubles. He was threatened by enemies (v.3), surrounded by "the pangs of death" and "the floods of ungodliness" (v.4). In other words: he was dreadfully disliked, desperately discouraged, and slightly suicidal.

What hope could there be in his situation? Perhaps he could buy his way out, or fight his way out? Maybe he could muster up some serious self-talk, or converse with close companions? Would the help come in the form of money, soldiers, powerful weapons, or people who would come to his aid?

I don't think so, and neither did David. He knew and was totally resigned to the fact that his help could only come from an inexhaustible source--the Lord, whom David called "my rock and my fortress and my deliverer" (v.2). The winds of trial were blowing hard, and David was barely hanging on. Yet he placed his trust in God- and he uses three descriptions:

   1. My Rock: immovable, solid, secure
   2. My Fortress: safe, impenetrable, protected
   3. My Deliverer: rescue, freedom, escape

Like David, we can call on the Lord who is our protection. Because like all of us, David faced adversity. Let Psalm 18 remind us that when our problems are pitted against our Lord's strength, it's no contest. Troubles may be cutting your life to pieces, but remember that 'rock breaks scissors'...

Are you in distress? Call on the Lord. He will always hear your voice.

Are your unsaved friends in distress? Pray to the Lord. Perhaps they will hear the gospel.