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 Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:23 pm
Cool, Cooler, Coolest
Jacob limped because his hip was sore.
God was sore because Jacob was trying to be hip without Him.
Today we think we must be hip to soar.
And we're sore at those who are not hip.
Yet God's message remains the same -
If we're truly hip to Him, we soar.
If not, we become sore from trying to be hip without Him.
(See Genesis 32 for the entire story.)
Know It!
God made you in His image, and He wants you to have a healthy, positive self-esteem. He also wants you to remember, though, that everything you have and are and will be is a gift from Him. When you dare to think you've got it made in your own strength, you're in danger.
Read It!
Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 2 Corinthians 5:16; Philippians 2:3-8.
Pray It!
Jesus, it's sometimes easy for me to forget You are the reason I'm good at the things I excel in. I get caught up in the accolades from those who love me, and often start to think I'm pretty cool. Please forgive me. Deep inside, I know I'm nothing without You. Help me to keep You in the Lordship position of my life.
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Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:57 pm
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Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:42 pm
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Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 11:35 am
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:15 am
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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:24 am
You Can Do It!
When Michael Jordan was a high school sophomore, he tried out for the varsity basketball team and was cut. But he made a resolution that he'd make the varsity squad the following year. He took that resolution seriously and practiced hour upon hour every single day.
You know the rest of the story. He not only made his high school varsity basketball team, but also went to college on a basketball scholarship, played pro and is still known as the world's greatest player.
It's not enough to simply make a resolution; we've gotta follow through. And to follow through, we need a strategy. So let's get back to our A to Z strategy on keeping your resolutions.
T: Track your progress. If you've resolved to read the Bible through in one year, mark off the chapters as you read them. Or if you're exercising, create a chart that you can put stickers on. Any kind of graph or progress report can serve as motivation to continue your success.
U: Understand you're not perfect. You'll probably mess up. You'll skip a day of Bible-reading; you'll eat that second piece of cake; you'll watch too much TV, you'll forget to do your homework. Understand it's okay to fail - as long as you commit that failure to Christ. He doesn't want you to stay down. He wants to pick you up and get you back on track. Let Him.
V: Visualize victory! Imagine how great you'll feel next year at this time when you've brought your science grade up from a D to a B-. Imagine how good it will fee to say you read the whole Bible through in one year. Or you lost that 10 pounds. Or you read those 28 novels. Or you brought five friends to church. Or you led three teens to Christ. Visualize your victory and success in one year.
W: Write it down. Make time to actually write out your New Year's resolutions. Don't simply think about it. Write it out. And then rewrite it the next day. They copy it the following day. By writing the same thing over and over and over again, you're pounding your goal into your mind and your thoughts. Write it down and hang it up, stick in on your mirror, stuff it inside your wallet or post it inside your locker. But write it down!
Know It!
Like Michael Jordan, your resolution may require daily work. And that will mean making some sacrifices. Are you willing to make sacrifices if necessary? What, specifically, will you need to deny yourself in order to reach your goal and keep your resolution?
Read It!
1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
Pray It!
Lord, I admit it's tough for me to deny myself some of the things I need to give up to keep my resolution. It's hard taking a step back from some of my friends who don't share my faith. It's not easy to stop doing the same things with them any longer. But I realize You have a high calling on my life. And, Jesus, I want to answer Your call.
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Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2006 8:52 am
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Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:25 am
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Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:41 am
Quiz Time
What kind of PEACE does Jesus give? (Mark all that apply.)
a. A piece of this, a piece of that.
b. Everlasting.
c. Deep.
d. The expensive kind.
e. Peace like a river, or an ocean, or a fountain, or something big and bubbly like that.
f. Genuine.
BEHIND LOCKED DOORS, in the midst of fear and confusion, Jesus appeared offering peace, This tells me that
a. Jesus understands me way better than I can imagine.
b. When my world is falling apart, He can put it back together.
c. There's no emotion I experience that He doesn't know about and understand.
d. That's just like my Jesus - showing up in the most unlikely of places.
Thomas wasn't with the DISCIPLES when they first met together after the resurrection and Jesus appeared among them. WHY do you think he was absent?
a. He was weird.
b. No one ever knew where Thomas was.
c. He was thinking things through; sorting everything out.
d. He had no idea Jesus would raise Himself from the dead. He thought his time with Christ was finished.
e. He was probably feeding sheep somewhere.
How did Jesus handle Thomas' doubts?
a. With anger.
b. Gently.
c. By giving him the evidence Thomas needed.
d. By ignoring him.
When you struggle with spiritual doubts, what helps?
a. Friends who understand.
b. Talking to Jesus.
c. Running or other physical activity.
d. Spending time alone and thinking things through.
e. Talking with adults you trust spiritually (parents, youth leader, pastor, Sunday school teacher, etc.).
f. Reading the Bible.
g. Thinking back and remembering God's faithfulness to me in the past.
h. Journaling.
When you're insecure, angry, confused or filled with doubts, Jesus wants to walk right through EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR EMOTIONS and stand with you! The Creator of the universe focuses His attnetion on YOU! How does that make you feel?
a. Whew!
b. Why can't I remember that when my world is actually caving in?
c. Very taken care of.
d. Secure.
e. Relieved.
f. Honored.
g. Undeserving.
Know It!
Jesus is willing and able to come through your locked doors and stand with you! When your world caves in, ask for a fresh touch of His peace.
Read It!
Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 29:11; Psalm 34:14; Psalm 37:11; Psalm 119: 165; 2 Thesssalonians 1:2.
Pray It!
Jesus, when I feel as though my world is falling apart, remind me of Your great faithfulness in the past. Teach me how to live and cultivate peace.
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Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:24 pm
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 5:12 pm
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Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:07 pm
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 3:52 pm
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Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:18 pm
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Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:23 pm
Coca-Cola Around the World
Though we're bombarded with a bazillion soft drinks, many throughout the world drink Coca-Cola. I've traveled to every continent in the world . . . except Antarctica . . . and I've found Coca-Cola in every country I've visited.
Even in remote villages without electricity, I've found bottled Coca-Cola. People can't read or write in many of these villages, but they drink Coke. Plumbing hasn't been heard of, clean water is a rare privilege and homes are simply huts made of grass, clay and animal dung. But look closer, and you'll notice the villagers are drinking Coca-Cola.
Amazing, isn't it? Even though Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sprite, and a ton of other drinks are popular . . . Coca- Cola rules worldwide. I couldn't find a Dr. Pepper or a Mr. Pibb in Papua, New Guinea, but I had no trouble locating a Coke.
In Jayapura, Irian Jaya no one had even heard of root beer, but they proudly displayed Coca-Cola along the side of the road. I wasn't able to get a 7-Up or a grape Nehi in the mountains of Bolivia, but I saw row after row of Cokes. In the Philippines; Ethiopia; Australia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Tahiti, on a safari in Kenya, East Africa, Calcutta, India, Tokyo, Beijing, Singapore, Guam and a plethora of other sites I've been, I couldn't always find a Squirt, Citra, Pepsi Light or Mellow Yellow. But I've never been without a Coke. No matter how far . . . no matter how remote . . . no matter what language . . . no matter what culture . . . Coca-Cola is there!
The marketing and advertising group at the Coca-Cola headquarters have really done their job, haven't they? They've made Coca-Cola the most popular and well- known soft drink around the world. It's even featured at the Olympics!
What if Christ were marketed the same way? Think about it: Every language, every culture, in every remote area of the world, wouldn't it be exciting if everyone could tap into Christ as easily as they can get a Coke! Well, they could . . . if they knew. Hmmm. If only God could come up with an advertising committee as good as Coca-Cola.
Guess what - God does have an advertising committee. And it's a lot more powerful than even Coke's prestigious team. His marketing crew consists of you. And me. And every single Christian around the world.
So why aren't busy advertising Jesus?
Every single day of your life, you advertise something. A sweet spirit, a rotten attitude, course language, forgiveness, kind words, affirmation. Your very lifestyle is a walking advertisement.
What . . . or whom . . . have you advertised today?
Know It!
God is counting on you to be His advertisement. Think about it: You personally know the King of Kings. Tell someone! The Creator of the universe calls you by name. Talk about Him!
Read It!
1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 2 Timothy 1:6-8.
Pray It!
Lord, sometimes I'm afraid to talk about You. Please fill me with Your boldness. Help me to remember that You'll give me the right words to say at the right time, and until then,You'll use my life to be an advertisement for You.
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