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 Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:44 am
Meeting With God 102
Okay, you’ve decided you want to grow closer to Christ, so you’ve made a commitment to spend time daily with Him. You’ve even come up with a plan that includes when and where you’ll carry out that pledge. But what happens if you miss a day? Do you throw in the towel? Wait till next year and make a brand-new commitment? No. To succeed, you’ve gotta keep on keeping on!
What happens if you miss lunch one day? Do you quit eating lunch altogether? No. If you miss your quiet time one day, pick it up the next day and keep going! The more consistent you become at having a daily quiet time with God, the easier it will be and the more you’ll start to depend on it. You want to eventually get to the point where you truly miss it if you don’t spend time with God every day.
If you do skip your quiet time, stop and think about why you didn’t have it. Was it too hard to get up early? Are you going to bed early enough the night before? Is there anything you need to change in your daily schedule to better accommodate your quiet time? If it’s too hard to get out of bed, put one foot on the floor and go from there!
Also, ask yourself some pointed questions: “If I stay in bed and miss my quiet time, how will I feel about it this afternoon? Tonight? Tomorrow?”
Realize that some quiet times will be more meaningful than others. Don’t expect every single quiet time to be a spiritual high. Try to recruit a couple of prayer partners who will encourage you and hold you accountable. Determine to be honest with them. When you miss a day, let them know.
The Bible shows us that Jesus spent time with His heavenly Father. He sought strength, fellowship and guidance from God. If Jesus Christ needed time with the Father, how much more do you need time with Him? Through your daily quiet time with God, you’ll become more like Christ as you follow His example and as you receive His power through prayer and the Bible.
To talk with God, you have to believe He’s present even though you can’t see Him as you would your parents and friends. Faith isn’t hoping that God will listen and speak with you; it’s trusting that He’s real and available for conversation.
God will speak to you through the Bible — His written Word — as well as through Christian leaders and friends. Sometimes His voice comes through your heart and your mind. Prayer is the process of not only talking to God, but also listening for His voice.
Know It!
Check your attitudes, your motivation and your relationships. If your prayer life is weakened by a problem in one of these areas, pray about that problem and correct it with God’s help.
Read It!
Proverbs 15:8; Acts 1:14; Ephesians 6:18; Hebrews 11:6.
Pray It!
Tell God about your desire to maintain a daily, disciplined time with Him. Ask for His help in putting that into action. Also seek His guidance in find a couple of prayer partners who can hold you accountable in this area.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:53 pm
Meeting With God 103
Now that you’ve created a strategy for having a daily quiet time with God, what should you do during that time? Let’s divide your quiet time into two parts and go from there.
Part One: Listening to God
Start your devotional time by reading Scripture. The book of Proverbs is a great place to start. There are 31 chapters—one for each day of the month! As you begin reading, ask God to bring to your mind any examples to follow, commands to obey, sins to confess, promises to claim or new thoughts about God. You may want to use a small notebook to keep track of what you learn as God speaks to you through your Bible reading.
Part Two: Talking to God
As you talk to God on a daily basis, strive to cover these five areas in your conversation with Him: Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving, Intercession, Petition. Praise is very similar to thanksgiving — but there IS a difference! To praise God means to adore Him for who He is. Thanksgiving is thanking God for what He’s done. When you praise God, you’re showing love to Him. When you express thanksgiving, you’re showing God how grateful you are. We praise God for His character, and we thank Him for His actions.
A. Praise: Begin your prayer time by praising God. “I love You, Father. I praise You for being all- knowing.”
B. Confession: Ask God to bring any sins to your mind that you haven’t confessed. Ask Him if there’s anything in your life that’s standing between you and Him. Whatever He brings to your attention, confess and commit to Him. Seek His help to avoid these areas of weakness in the future. Accept His forgiveness.
C. Thanksgiving: Be specific as you express your gratitude to God. “Father, thanks for helping me do well on today’s science quiz. I’m so grateful You helped me reach out to Staci.”
D. Intercession: To intercede for someone means to pray for them; to go to God on their behalf. Tell God about specific needs of your friends and family members.
E. Petition: To petition God means you’re praying for yourself. What should you pray for? Your spiritual growth, your needs, the desires of your heart— anything that concerns you! Remember, your heavenly Father cares about everything you care about!
Know It!
Have you ever known a spiritual giant? Someone who was really strong in his faith? Guess what — your public strength is gained in your private moments with God! So take your pledge of having a daily devotional time with the Lord seriously. Exciting things happen when you pray.
Read It!
Isaiah 40:31; Acts 16:22-33; Ephesians 6:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:3.
Pray It!
Tell God how you want to be successful in having a daily quiet time with Him. Seek His help in implementing these strategies into your daily routine.
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:35 pm
Touchdown!
Drew lived alone with his mother, and he cared for her like she was a queen. When Drew entered high school, he went out for the football team. He was the smallest guy to hit the field, but he had such a positive spirit, the coach decided to put him on the team. Even though Drew sat on the bench for the next four years, his mom made every game.
When Drew entered college, he went out for the football team as a walk-on. The other athletes doubted he’d made the cut, but to everyone’s surprise, he did! The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because of the way he put his heart and soul into every practice, and at the same time, motivated the other athletes with the spirit and hustle they desperately needed.
Drew sent his mom season tickets for all the college games. She was thrilled to once again be at every game. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he repeated his high school record and never got to play in the game.
The end of his senior football season, he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play-off game. The coach met him with a telegram. Drew read the telegram and fought the lump in his throat to share the news with his coach. “My mother died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?”
The coach stretched his arm around Drew’s shoulder and said, “Take the rest of the week off, Son. And don’t worry about coming back to the game on Saturday. You take all the time you need.”
Saturday arrived, and Drew surprised the team by showing up for the big game. He dressed in silence and made his way to the bench. The game was one of the worst they’d ever played. In the third quarter, Drew approached the coach and begged to play. The coach, figuring he had nothing to lose since they were already so far behind, relented and sent Drew to the field.
Suddenly, the game took a turn for the better. This little unknown who had never before played in an actual game, was doing everything right. The opposing team couldn’t stop him. He ran, blocked and tackled like a star. His team caught up, and the score was eventually tied.
In the closing seconds of the game, Drew intercepted a pass and ran for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. The coach approached him soon afterward in the locker room. “Drew, you were fantastic. I don’t get it! Your mom just died days ago. How did you do it?”
“Sir, my mom was a Christian. She’s in heaven now. Yes, she came to all my games, but she was blind. Today was the first time she got to see me play, and I wanted to show her I could do it.”
Know It!
God is your biggest cheerleader. He’s at all your games, and just like a proud parent, cheers you on whether you’re on the bench or the field.
Read It!
Jeremiah 29:11; Jeremiah 33:3; Ephesians 1:19-20; Ephesians 3:20.
Pray It!
Ask God to help you do your best whether you’re the star or standing in the shadows. Thank Him for believing in you.
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Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:03 am
The Gift of the Garbage Man (Part I)
(by Carolyn McInnes)
Have you ever stopped to think of all the garbage man does for you?
It’s a clear blue day. I suck in the pure air like a hungry vacuum cleaner. First, I inhale sweet dogwood. Then pine, rich and earthy. Closing my eyes, I imagine I’m winding through some sun-splattered forest. A potpourri of fragrant flowers drifts from my nostrils to my head. I’m dizzy with delight, and everything smells like freedom. As I stroll through the parking lot to the mailbox, I’m intoxicated with life.
What glorious scent will the next breath bring? I draw in the air slowly, with great anticipation. And then . . .
My throat suddenly constricts. My stomach lurches up and down wildly, and I think I might lose my lunch right there. The air has changed, and I’m strangled by a combination of the most offensive smells known to man. As I round the corner, holding my breath, I see the garbage truck.
I only glance at the garbage man on the tailgate as I hurry by. From the corner of my eye, I can just make out his stained blue work jumper and a greasy ponytail. I feel his eyes following me, and my pace quickens.
“Hey, wait!”
So I freeze. The parking lot is empty, and the garbage man is obviously calling out to me.
As he approaches, the putrid scent intensifies. He smells like all of the things he’s been surrounded by. Sour milk. Dirty diapers. Rancid meat. Rotten fruit. His work suit is smeared with the remains of all of these items and more. I think I might pass out.
“Hi!” He grins and brushes away a wisp of his long hair with a filthy glove. “We’re running a little behind schedule. I was wondering if I could use your phone.”
I stare at him. “In my apartment?” I ask. This must be a joke. I think of the vanilla scent that hangs in the air of my immaculate home. Then, cringing, I envision his steel-toed boots tracking unidentified waste across my ivory carpet.
“No offense,” I say, still trying not to breathe any more than necessary, “but I just cleaned my house. And you . . . well, you don’t smell so great.”
The garbage man doesn’t appear insulted. “No offense,” he responds matter-of-factly, “but if I didn’t pick up your garbage every day, your house would always smell the way I smell.”
I don’t understand his point. I just want to get away from this weirdo. I want to breathe the fresh air again.
“I appreciate that you pick up my garbage,” I say. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. . . .”
“Do you really appreciate it?” he asks. “How often do you actually say to someone, ‘I sure am thankful that the sanitation engineer picks up my trash every day!’? I’ve seen you out here before. You never once thanked me.”
“I wave sometimes,” I answer defensively. “Besides, why are you acting so noble? This is your job!”
The garbage man chuckles a little. “You think this is how I make a living?” he asks, a knowing smile dancing on his lips. “You don’t recognize me, do you?”
Know It!
God wants you to thank and praise Him consistently.
Read It!
Psalm 62:1-2; Psalm 115:1; Proverbs 18:10; Hebrews 13:1-2.
Pray It!
Ask God to give you His eyes and His eyes.
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 11:31 am
The Gift of the Garbage Man (Part II)
I look him over carefully now. Even peering past the grime, I just see a strong man with gentle green eyes. Unfamiliar. Nondescript. And really smelly.
Behind the Filth and Dirt
“What, are you an actor or something?” I ask. “Is this one of those deals where you’re going to play a garbage man in a movie, so you’re trying to learn about the part firsthand?”
“Well,” he smiles, “I guess you could say I’m doing it so I can understand people better. You can learn a lot by going through a person’s garbage, you know.”
“You go through our garbage?” I’m seized by an eerie, violated feeling. What have I thrown away that he might have seen? It’s one thing when you can trash stuff anonymously. But this is an invasion of my privacy!
“I know all about you, Carolyn.” I gasp as he calls me by name. “I know you use tons of tissue because of your allergies. You drink half a pot of coffee every morning. I see the grounds. I read the letters you toss, the receipts telling how you spend your money. I see the thoughts you write down and throw away because they’re so private, you can’t even keep them in a journal. I know you better than you know yourself.”
I just stand there, petrified and naked before the garbage man. I want to flee from this lunatic, but he already knows too much. Running now might provoke him to do something drastic.
“Why do you do this?” My voice is pinched and small.
“Because I love you,” he replies simply.
I can’t help it now: My feet are in motion. But before I can escape, I’m caught by his dirty hand. He holds my arm.
“Don’t worry. I’m not some stalker or freak. I love people. Your neighbor in 302 is Mr. Donaldson. Sweet old man. Had a leg injury that kept him from playing pro football back in the ’50s, but he’s still a volunteer coach at the youth center. Did you know that?” I shook my head. “And the Hanson’s upstairs, with that spunky 3-year-old — I love them, too! I remember when little Bradley got into some cleaning chemicals and nearly died last year. What a rough time for them.”
I watch his eyes as he speaks. They’re deep and clear, and they glisten like sunlight on water. My fear is transforming into fascination.
“I even know the lady in 310 you call Crabby Cakes. She got lonely after her husband passed away, so she decided to visit elderly people once a week.” He chuckled to himself. “You should see how excited they get on Tuesdays waiting for her! See, even she has some good inside. Everyone does.”
He holds out his hands, as though laying understanding before me. “That’s why I’m a garbage man.”
Know It!
God can help you see beyond outward appearances. He can give you spiritual insight that will help you discern a person’s character.
Read It!
James 1:19-27; James 2:1-7; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 John 1:3.
Pray It!
As you spend time in prayer today, ask God to give you a discerning spirit to see godly character in those around you.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:41 pm
The Gift of the Garbage Man (Part III)
“I still don’t get it,” I say. “If you’re not a stalker, not a blackmailer, what could possibly be good about sifting through our trash?”
Finding the Good in the Bad
Then, I see the most amazing glow envelop his face. It’s that look of blissful satisfaction someone gets when he’s quietly accomplishing his wildest dream.
“I get to take it away,” he says. “I destroy it, so no one else will ever have to see it. I wade through this filth so that your life will be clean. Take this letter. . . .” he pauses, his gloved hands retrieving a wadded package from the back of his truck. He flashes it before me, just long enough for me to see my handwriting and recognize the document. It’s my draft of a letter to a friend, full of gossip and hate toward a mutual acquaintance.
“I shouldn’t have written that,” I stammer, red-faced.
“Imagine what your house would look like if it were filled with all the letters you’ve ever written,” he says. “What if the words you spoke could stain the walls and your actions were slimy heaps of debris on the carpet? What if each of your bad thoughts hung in the air like an odor? Would you really want to live in that place?”
Now I’m speechless. I want to ask, “Who are you?” But I think I already know.
“Thanks to me, you don’t have to live like that,” he continues, waving the letter. “By tonight, this will be gone forever. I won’t even remember it tomorrow. Believe me, my memory about this stuff is horrible!”
Once again, I notice a putrid stench. But I suddenly realize it isn’t coming from him at all. It’s me. I hang my head in embarrassment, but he just smiles.
“So what do you say? Can I use your phone?”
I nod. There are no words left, only tears.
And right there in the parking lot, the garbage man puts his arms around me. Some guy driving to the next building turns to stare. His jaw is on the floorboard.
But it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. The garbage man’s arms are warm, and immediately the stench is gone.
The air smells fresh and sweet again.
It’s the scent of freedom.
Know It!
When God forgives you from sin, He chooses to remember it no longer. The Bible tells us He casts your sin as far as the East is from the West. There’s no way to measure dimensions from the East to the West as there is from the North to the South. So God casts your sins so far from His mind, they simply don’t exist any longer.
Read It!
Psalm 103:12; Luke 5:21; Acts 10:43; Colossians 2:13.
Pray It!
Spend time thanking God for taking your garbage, your sin, your rotten attitudes and not only forgiving you—but choosing to forget as well.
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:49 am
How’s Your Swing?
In 1997, Tiger Woods became the first African American to win the famed the Master’s Golf Tournament. Later that same year, he went on to win two other major tournaments giving him $2,000,000 in winnings. On top of that, were his endorsements which brought in an additional $60,000! Not bad for one year, was it?
After such an incredible year, Tiger surprised the world when he announced to his coach that he wanted to change his golf swing. Many were thinking, You’re crazy! Why mess with a good thing? You’re on top right now!
But Tiger was determined not to settle, and he had a nagging feeling that if he changed his swing, he would actually play an even better game. So he studied video tapes of himself, memorizing every move he put into his swing and making mental notes on how he would change it.
During the next 19 months, he only won one tournament. But after that, he won 10 out of the next 14 tournaments — six of them in a row! He’s the only golfer in history to hold six major titles.
You may think you’re pretty good spiritually . . . but guess what! You’re nothing compared to what you can be! Would you dare to allow God to completely stop you in your tracks in order to change and improve yourself? Yes, it will slow you down at first. And yes, people may wonder why you’re not “on top” any more. But in time, God will be able to do far more with you, in you and through you than He’s doing right now.
The difference? Allowing God to completely break you. Then giving Him the authority to pick up the pieces and remold you . . . reshape you in His image. The best singers are those who sing from a broken — yet healed heart. The best speakers are those who speak from joy born of despair. The best artists are those who are able to paint hope because they’ve known the opposite. The winning athletes are those who are secure enough to climb out of the spotlight for a while to improve themselves while losing.
Know It!
Yes, you may be pretty good right now. You may even feel as though you’re on top of the world. But your “good” is nothing next to God’s “amazing.” Will you give Him the authority to do more with you than you can even imagine? It will require being broken. But when God never leaves His children broken for long. And when He puts the pieces back together, you can rest assured that His creation always shines brighter!
Read It!
Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 3:20; Ephesians 4:18.
Pray It!
Tell God you’re willing to be broken and reshaped in His image.
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:54 pm
Becoming Who God Wants
As Tiger Woods made time to improve his golf swing, you can take time to improve your “spiritual swing.” Let’s take a closer look at what that involves.
1. Open your mind to God’s power. He’s able to do things in your life, with your life and through your life that are beyond your wildest imagination! You may think there’s no way you could teach a Sunday school class, sing a solo or speak in public. And maybe in your own strength, you can’t. But guess what! God’s mighty power is way past your boundaries. He’s dreaming of things for you, you haven’t even thought of yet!
Contemporary Christian artist Scott Kripayne sings a song called “Wild Imagination” that reminds the listener of God’s wonderful creativity and dreams. Grab the CD and plug in your headphones. You, too, will be reminded of all that God wants to do for you beyond what you could dream of yourself!
2. Open your heart to God’s grace. We toss the word “grace” around quite a bit, but do you truly know the definition? Grace is God giving you what you need instead of what you deserve. And He can give you the ability, the power and the desire to make the changes in your “swing” (or your life) that you can’t make on your own.
Perhaps you’ve tried to make positive changes in your own strength. And maybe they’ve lasted for a few weeks or a couple of months. God is able to go far beyond that. He’s able to make changes in your life that will last for eternity!
3. Open your life to God’s love. God is crazy about you! He loves you beyond human comprehension. Whatever changes He prompts in your life—even though you may initially not understand them—are for your good and His glory.
You were created by God for a relationship with God, and until you really understand that, life won’t make sense. Can you open yourself to His power? Can you trust yourself to His grace? Can you commit yourself to His love? If you can, and if you will, He’ll make a masterpiece out of your life!
Know It!
When you walk with the Creator of the universe, you’re in for an exciting ride!
Read It!
Romans 3:22; Ephesians 2:8; James 4:6-8; Romans 5:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:13.
Pray It!
Tell God you’re ready to trust Him with all of your life — including the changes He wants to make.
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:41 am
Actual Classified Advertisements
Check out the following advertisements. Each was actually printed as is in local newspapers.
• GEORGIA PEACHES — California grown. Eighty- nine cents a pound.
• Two wire-mesh butchering gloves: One 5-finger, one 3-finger. Pair $15.
• Nordic Track $300. Slightly used. Call Chubby.
• Snow-blower for sale. Only used on snowy days.
• Nice parachute. Never opened. Used once.
• Full-sized mattress. Twenty-year warranty. Like new. Slight urine smell.
• OPEN HOUSE: Body Shapers Toning Salon. Free coffee and donuts.
If someone were to run an advertisement on you , how would it read? Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
The above advertisements don’t really make the reader want to rush out and purchase the items for sale, do they? Have you ever stopped to think that you’re a walking advertisement for Jesus Christ? So . . . if you actually were arrested for being a Christian, what would the evidence say? Do people know about your relationship with Christ? Is it as obvious as your hair color? When you walk into a room full of people, do they sense there’s something different about you?
Let’s take this a little deeper. Do the following key areas of your life give a true advertisement of Jesus Christ living in your heart?
#1: Conversation. Is your chit-chat filled with gossip and rumors? Any criticism or sarcastic remarks about others? Do you tend to spice your words with bitterness and negativity? Or are your conversations filled with words that bring glory to Christ?
#2: Clothing. Does what you wear (and how you wear it) cause others to question the depth of your relationship with Christ? Do you dress in such a way that the opposite sex has trouble keeping a pure mind when around you? Or have you learned the art of looking in-style yet remaining modest?
#3: Character. Does your lifestyle echo WWJD? Do you base your actions on what Jesus would do? Can others trust you to keep your word? Are you dependable? On time? Honest? Do you live a life of integrity . . . or is there always that little “something” that causes others to doubt your genuiness?
Know It!
You’re a walking billboard for God. Non-Christians are watching your life for clues that say you don’t belong to the world. Are you living up to the advertisement God needs you to be? He can empower you to be a glowing ad of His love!
Read It!
Proverbs 10:9; Proverbs 13:6; 1 Timothy 3:7; Titus 2:7.
Pray It!
Ask God to help you be the living advertisement He wants you to be—one that will glorify His Holy name.
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:29 pm
Paradise
Since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, airlines have cut back on a lot of the “extras.” They no longer allow silverware in coach class, and most airlines don’t even serve a meal now — unless it’s an international flight.
Here are signs that you’re flying on a “No Frills” airline:
• The airline doesn’t sell tickets, it sells chances.
• You’re not allowed to board the plane unless you have exact change.
• The airplane has both a bathroom and a chapel.
• All the insurance machines in the terminal are sold out.
• Before you take off, the airline attendant tells you to fasten your Velcro.
• There’s no movie. You don’t need one. Your life keeps flashing before your eyes.
• Before the flight, the passengers get together and elect a pilot.
• The captain asks all the passengers to chip in a little for gas.
• You see a man with a gun, but he’s demanding to be let off the plane.
Though airlines have certainly cut down on their frills, God hasn’t cut down on His. Right now He’s preparing a place for you to live eternally with Him. We don’t know exactly what heaven will be like, because our human minds aren’t able to comprehend its splendor. But we do know, God won’t be cutting back on the frills. He’s going all out for His children! We know heaven will be a place of absolute perfection. There won’t be any sickness, no death, no sadness, no sin. Even to describe heaven as eternal happiness would be a gross understatement. We simply can’t imagine how incredibly fantabalastic it will be!
Why will heaven be so grand? Because of God’s lavish love for you! Why will it be perfect? Because God is perfect, His kingdom is also perfect. But how will I get in? I’m nowhere near perfect! That’s where Jesus enters the picture! He’ll stand in front of you, so when God looks at you, He’s actually looking through Jesus to see you. And because Jesus paid the price for your sin — death on the Cross — you’re now declared not guilty. When Judgment Day arrives, and you stand before God, He’ll see a perfect disciple . . . all because of Jesus standing in front of you.
Know It!
Heaven will be the ultimate eternal party of praise, worship, joy and celebration. And God wants so badly for you to share in His lavish forever Kingdom, that He sent His only Son to issue your invitation.
Read It!
Matthew 3:2; Revelation 7:9-10; Revelation 21:5.
Pray It!
Spend some time thanking God for His incredible love for you. Tell Him how excited you are to spend eternity with Him in His perfect Kingdom of heaven.
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:03 pm
Sexual Purity 101
It doesn’t matter if you’ve ever been on a date or not, you still have to settle the issue of sexual purity in your life. Have you given much thought to this all-important issue? You may wonder if you’re abnormal because you’ve never had a boy/girlfriend. Of course, that’s totally ridiculous! Many people don’t date until college or after. Whether or not you date has absolutely nothing to do with being normal. Being normal means having an active, growing relationship with your Creator, Jesus Christ.
You and Jesus are in control of when you begin dating. Don’t let your friends influence that decision. Having a boyfriend or a girlfriend isn’t the most important thing in the world. In fact, there can be some advantages in being relationship-free during your teen years:
— You can eat triple-cheese and onion pizza and not have to worry about your breath!
— No relationship means no break-up.
— There’s no need to take your brain apart trying to create some nifty conversation starters to get him/her talking.
— You have more time to invest in a job, a new hobby or developing your talents.
— There are enough pressures in life as it is without having a guy or girl pressuring you to go further than you want.
— When you’re at a group function, you’re totally free to hang with more than just one person.
— You’re able to concentrate more intently on deepening your relationship with Jesus Christ!
So even if you’ve never been in a guy/girl relationship, chances are great that someday you will! And right now is the time to begin establishing your standards. Think ahead. Have you made a commitment to wait until marriage to become sexually intimate?
If not, how about doing that right now? Go ahead! Take the pledge:
The True Love Waits Pledge
Believing that true love waits, I make a commitment to God, myself, my family, those I date, my future mate and my future children to be sexually pure until the day I enter marriage.
Many people like to wear a True Love Waits ring, pendant, or carry an inscribed key chain. Of course, the symbol isn’t important — the commitment is what counts. But if you’re interested in True Love Waits jewelry, you can check out what’s available from Factory 79: www.factory79.com or call 1-800-677-0832. (This number only works in the U.S.)
Perhaps you’ve made a True Love Waits pledge but are wondering how in the world you’ll be able to keep it. Great point! Let’s take the next few days to unpack a strategy.
Know It!
Sex is an incredible gift created by God Himself. But He has a perfect plan for sex, and He wants you to experience it within the boundaries of a lifetime of marriage.
Read It!
Exodus 22:19; Ephesians 5:3; Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 6:11.
Pray It!
Ask God to help you maintain your pledge to remain sexually pure until marriage.
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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:48 pm
Sexual Purity 102
Now that you’ve made a pledge to maintain sexually pure until marriage, let’s look at how you can maintain that pledge. When you’re with someone you really care about, and the passion is rising between the two of you, you may not feel as strongly about your commitment to purity as you do right now reading this book.
You can’t do it on your own, that’s for sure! This is where the power of the Holy Spirit comes into play . . . as well as good ol’ accountability with Christian friends, parents and youth leaders. Before we get into how you can keep the pledge you’ve made, let’s first take a quick detour.
What if you’ve already gone too far sexually? Right now is the perfect time to seek God’s forgiveness and ask Him to grant you “spiritual virginity.” Even though you may no longer be a physical virgin, with God’s forgiveness, you can become a “spiritual virgin.” He will forgive your sexual sin and look at you as though you were a virgin. In other words, He transforms you into a “spiritual virgin” and you live in sexual purity from now until you’re married.
But when you seek His forgiveness, make sure you’re doing it with a repentant heart. The attitude of: “I’ll ask God to forgive me for having sex with my boyfriend . . . even though I know I’ll probably have sex with him again next week . . . He’ll forgive me again.”
Guess what — that’s not a repentant heart! In Bible days, when someone saw a friend going the wrong direction, he would shout, “Repent!” . . . meaning, “You’re going the wrong way. Turn around. Change direction. Alter your course!”
If you come to God with a repentant heart and seek His forgiveness for your sexual sin with the attitude of, “Oh, Father, I don’t ever plan on going down that road again. In fact, I’ll go out of my way to build guard rails around my life that will keep me from moving in that direction again” — that’s reflective of a repentant heart. God will forgive and completely forget, and He’ll grant you “spiritual virginity.”
Know It!
Sexual purity isn’t simply saying no to intercourse. Sexual purity is a lifestyle! It involves what you listen to, who you date, how you dress and what you think about.
Read It!
1 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Corinthians 6:13; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:8.
Pray It!
Do you need to seek God’s forgiveness for being sexually intimate outside of marriage? If so, now is a great time to pray!
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:36 pm
Pray It!
Prayer is the most powerful and effective tool God has blessed us with. Is your prayer life growing? Do you look forward to talking with your Savior? Have you realized there’s nothing too big and nothing too small to pray about? If it concerns you, it concerns your heavenly Father.
If you’re struggling with having a daily prayer time, try using your hand as a prayer guide.
1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They’re the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You can’t pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all . . . which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.” Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you’ll be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
Know It!
Think of prayer as your power source. As long as you’re plugged into a strong prayer life, you’re full of power. When you stop praying, your power goes out. As you pray, don’t forget to listen!
Read It!
2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Pray It!
Ask God to help you deepen your prayer life.
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Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:32 pm
To Party or Not to Party
“Hey, Joel!” TJ said as he slapped his pal on the back. “Can you give me a ride to Dustin’s party Friday night?”
“Sorry, TJ. Not goin’ ”
“Oh, wow. Man, I was sure you’d been invited. No prob. I’ll talk to Dustin. Probably just an oversight.”
“It’s okay, TJ. I was invited. But I’m not going.”
“What? You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope. I’m not going.”
“Joel, what gives? This party’s gonna be huge!”
“Yeah, I know. But there’s also gonna be alcohol there, TJ. I’ve made a commitment not to go to any parties where alcohol is served.”
“That’s crazy, Joel! You don’t have to drink it. Why miss out on a great party just because of alcohol? You can still go!”
“That’s what I used to think, TJ,” Joel said. “I started out going to parties just to be there. And I always told myself I wouldn’t drink — and I didn’t for the first few times. But the more I went, the tougher it got to say no. So I started drinking. And after talking and praying with Pastor Steve about it, I rededicated my life to Christ and am committed to staying completely away from alcohol.”
“I still don’t get it. I mean, what happened? Are you telling me that you became an alcoholic after a few drinks?” TJ asked.
“No, I wasn’t an alcoholic,” Joel explained. “But alcohol started to become important to me. My focus on God shifted to other stuff.”
“So, are you saying it’s wrong to drink?” TJ questioned.
“Yeah, man. That’s what I’m saying. I’ve promised God I’ll never drink again, and I’m gonna keep that commitment.”
“I still don’t get it, Joel. If we just drink a little now and then, what’s the big deal?”
“TJ, talk to Pastor Steve. He’s got some good insight on this whole thing. He can help you see the whole picture instead of just a couple of drinks.”
“Well, I’m going to the party!”
“TJ, we’ve been friends a long time. You know I care about you, Man.”
“Yeah, so what are you saying?”
“I’m asking you to talk with Pastor Steve before you go to the party. Will you do that for me? For yourself?”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll talk to him. But I’m still goin’ to the party.”
Know It!
God desires that you not take part in any kind evil. Seek His strength in fleeing from the very appearance of evil.
Read It!
Matthew 6:13; Matthew 26:41; 2 Timothy 2:22-23; 2 Timothy 4:18.
Pray It!
Admit to God that you’re often weak when tempted with doing things that everyone else is doing. Ask for His strength to say no.
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Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 4:02 pm
More To Think About
“Hi, TJ,” Pastor Steve greeted. “Joel told me you’d be stopping by. Wanna go upstairs and grab a Coke and play some video games while we talk?”
“Sure!” TJ said. He’d known Pastor Steve for years and enjoyed hanging out in the youth center of their church.
“So the big party’s this weekend, huh?”
“Yep. And I don’t see what the big deal is.”
“I understand there’s gonna be alcohol there.”
“Well, yeah . . . but Pastor Steve, that doesn’t mean I have to drink it.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Pastor Steve agreed. “And I would hope you wouldn’t. But let’s look at the bigger picture.”
“Which is?”
“Let’s say you’re at the party, and you’re not drinking, but probably everyone else is, right?”
“Yeah. So?”
“So on Monday morning at school, when everyone’s talking about Friday night, do you really think they’re gonna stop in the middle of bragging and laughing about the weekend and say, ‘Oh, by the way . . . TJ Parker was there, but he didn’t drink.’ ”
“I don’t know. Who knows what they’ll say?”
“Well, chances are, no one at the party is going to remember you weren’t drinking. Think about it, TJ: If everyone else is drinking, they’re too out of it to remember if you had one drink, 8 drinks or didn’t drink at all.”
“OK, so maybe no one will remember I didn’t drink. What’s your point?”
“What does that say about your witness, TJ? You’ve told me that people at school know you’re a Christian. You even got the basketball team to start praying before each game. When people hear you were at the party, they may question your relationship with Christ. They expect you to be different because you’re a Christian. If they see you’re just like everyone else, what’s the point of giving up their sin to follow Christ? They’re attracted to you because of the difference — not because of the similarity.”
“Huh. Never thought of that,” TJ said. “So you’re saying I shouldn’t even go to the party?”
“Yep. If you really wanna be different, refuse to show up any time alcohol is served. And when people ask you about it, be ready to explain your Christian views and your morality.”
“Yeah, I could do that,” TJ said. “But there’s one problem.”
“What’s that?” Pastor Steve asked.
“This whole thing about drinking. What’s the big deal? I mean, I’m not so sure it is wrong.”
Know It!
God commands that you be different from the world around us. If you fit in with everything that’s going on at your school, you may be a little too comfortable in your worldly surroundings.
Read It!
Romans 12:1-3
Pray It!
Ask God to help you see the whole picture when you’re seeking His help with a decision.
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