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 Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:28 pm
Seems Weird
Did you know . . .
o A 21-year-old woman living in Salt Lake City, couldn't afford a tonsillectomy, so she operated on herself! Using toothache gel as an anesthetic, she stood in front of a mirror with nail scissors and a small knife and cut out her tonsils.
o A 70-year-old man named Armando Pinelli of Italy, got in a heated argument with another man over who should sit in the only chair in the shade of a palm tree. Armando won the argument. But when he sat down, the tree fell over on him and killed him.
Seems weird, huh? Unfortunately, lots of people also think Christianity seems weird. When you ultimately decide to live a life that's committed 100 percent to Jesus Christ, others will notice. This commitment will effect every single area of your life - after all, that's what 100 percent is all about. People around you won't be able to ignore the difference.
Those who don't share your faith, may interpret your actions and your commitment to God as something really weird. That's okay. The Bible is very clear on the fact that it won't be easy to live a holy lifestyle. Check this out: “It is quite true that the way to live a godly life is not an easy matter. But the answer lies in Christ” (1 Timothy 3:16 The Living Bible).
What behavior of a 100 percent-committed Christian would appear weird to non believers? (Check all that apply.)
a. Refusing to attend a party where alcohol will be served.
b. Walking out of the theater in the middle of a PG-13 movie that's filled with four-letter words.
c. Abstaining from sexual intimacy outside of marriage.
d. Reaching out to the campus dweeb.
The truth is, if you really are committed 100 percent to Christ, your entire lifestyle may seem weird to friends who don't share your faith. Sixteen-year-old Britni was determined to serve God with a 100-percent commitment, but she was so tired of the put-downs from “friends” at school.
Each day she had lunch with the same group of girls. And each day they bragged about their sexual escapades with their boyfriends. They knew about Britni's sexual purity and relentlessly hassled her and laughed at her “prudeness.”
One day, she'd had it. Britni grabbed her tray and started to leave. But before she walked away, she looked them in the eye and said, “On any given day I can easily give up what I've chosen to save until marriage. Anytime I want to, I can become just like you. But you . . . you'll never be able to regain what you've lost. You can never go back and reclaim what I still have.”
Guess what! They never made fun of her again.
Your friends won't understand your godly convictions. They won't relate to your high standards and your morality. But . . . what did the Scripture say? Oh, yeah. “The answer lies in Christ.”
If you'll maintain a strong, intimate, growing relationship with Jesus, they'll eventually respect the peace that's shining through your life. They'll notice your calm spirit, your confidence, your deep satisfaction in something (and Someone) much more powerful than a weekend party. And who knows? Eventually . . . they may even ask you how they can get what you have!
On-fire Christians may seem weird to the world. That's okay. Expect it. Know they won't understand. That's not the issue. The issue is remaining focused on a very important detail. And that detail is . . . you guessed it! We're going to repeat it right now:
Know It!
Being committed to God requires 100 percent.
Read It!
1 Timothy 3:1; Ephesians 3:20; John 3:19-21.
Pray It!
Father, help me not to get bent out of shape when others make fun of me. Help me to keep focused on You and You alone. Jesus, I want others to see the positive difference You're making in my life. Keep me close to You, Father.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:47 pm
I Need a Little Help
The Bible doesn't give us his name, so let's just call him Brandon. His story is tucked away in a small section of the second chapter of Mark. We begin the story with good news and bad news. The bad news? Brandon was paralyzed. He couldn't walk. The good news? He had some incredible friends! Brandon's buddies were the kind of guys who would walk the extra mile for him in a heartbeat.
His friends had heard that Jesus was teaching in someone's home. They'd also heard that Jesus of Nazareth had healed blind men. Hey! If He can make someone see, maybe He could make Brandon walk, they thought.
Imagine for a second that you're Brandon. You've heard about the miracles, and you know Jesus will soon be in your town. You desperately want to be where He is . . . but you can't get there. Even though it's just down the street, next block over, around the corner, it's still too far for you, because you're confined to one position - wherever someone carries you and leaves you.
Wouldn't it be heart-breaking to be so close to healing, yet not be able to do anything about it? Hmmm. Sometimes there are things we simply can't do on our own.
Enter Brandon's friends. They were just as excited as he was about the possibility of getting him to Jesus! They truly cared about Brandon. They wanted to see him walk, wanted to play football with him and tackle him in the grass. They wanted him whole.
So they decided to intervene for Brandon and help him do what he couldn't do for himself - get to Jesus.
Problem: The house where Jesus was speaking was completely full. More than full. Hundreds swarmed outside the walls. No one dared surrender an inch of space - not even for someone on a stretcher.
Solution: “Let's go where no one else has gone!” Jeremy said.
“Look around, Dufus. They're everywhere!” Ryan responded.
“Oh yeah? No one's on the roof!” Jeremy stated.
Teen guys. Aren't they great? Daring, brave, persistent . . . Brandon's friends cared enough about him to break through the roof and hoist their buddy through the ceiling with ropes.
Jesus smiled at their faith. He loves it when we go the extra mile for our friends in need. Without hesitation, Jesus healed Brandon.
Is there something in your life that seems so big, you're afraid to tackle on your own? Turn to your Christian friends. Ask them to pray with you. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 talks about the importance of having a friend. Memorize it. And don't be afraid to ask someone for help when you need it.
Know It!
Jesus never intended for you to go it alone. He values godly friendships. It's not only okay to ask for help; it's wise.
Read It!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Mark 2:1-12.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, I confess that my stubborn pride often prevents me from seeking the help I need. I know You valued friends during Your time on earth, and right before Your crucifixion You asked friends to pray for You. Help me, also, to ask for help from godly friends when I need it.
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:32 pm
Excuses
Jason was always late, and his friends were fed up with him. Whenever they made plans to do something or go somewhere, they automatically told Jason to arrive 15 minutes earlier than anyone else - thinking he'd be late and actually arrive at the designated time they were leaving.
But it didn't work. Jason was still late.
He always had an excuse. And that was part of the frustration. Jason rationalized everything. “My alarm didn't go off.”
“Traffic was unbelievable!”
“I couldn't find a clean shirt.”
He was a master at justifying his actions.
Deana was convinced her teachers were out to get her - every single one of them! “Mrs. Woodard gives me detention at least twice a week,” Deana complained.
“And Mr. Hoskins gave me a zero on that history project. Can you believe it?
“Miss Foltz never stops yelling at me in class, and Mrs. Simpson is always on my case about something.”
It didn't matter that Mrs. Woodard gave her detention because Deana was continually late for class, or that Mr. Hoskins had given her an extra week to complete her history project and still never received anything. Sure, Deana constantly talked during class, but she never thought of that when Miss Foltz called her down. And Mrs. Simpson knew Deana was failing biology. She was simply trying to give her a chance for extra- credit work.
Deana never recognized the reality of what was happening around her, because she was so busy justifying her questionable actions.
It's easy to rationalize our actions, isn't it? We can justify why we did this or didn't do that. But God doesn't listen to excuses. He's interested in something much deeper . . . our hearts. He focuses on our motives. Our intentions.
Where do you stand? Has it become easy for you to justify something in your life that's not right? Do you find yourself making excuses?
You've known about your science report for three weeks. It's due tomorrow. You
a. ask your teacher for an extension naming the many reasons it's been impossible for you to complete it on time.
b. complain that Mr. Nelson never gives anyone enough time to do a decent job.
c. quickly pull something together and hand it in - even though you know it won't be worth much.
d. admit you procrastinated and learn from your mistake.
God can do a lot with an honest heart! He knows we make mistakes, and He's willing to help us learn and grow from them. But if we continue to justify wrong actions and refuse to admit we need help, we'll never become all He dreams for us.
Know It!
Jesus doesn't expect you to be perfect. He does expect you to be honest and admit you need help.
Read It!
Proverbs 20:27; Proverbs 21:2; 2 Corinthians 8:10.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, will You forgive me for falling into the habit of justifying my shortcomings? I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. I realize You want to strengthen me in my weak areas. I give You permission to “knock me in the head” the next time I start making excuses as to why I'm not doing something I should. I really do want to be all You desire for me.
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:08 pm
Prayer 101
“We've been studying prayer in youth group for three weeks now,” Eric said. “And I don't get it.”
“What don't you get?” Sheree asked.
“Well, the Bible clearly says that we can ask for anything using God's name and we'll get it.”
“So what'd you ask for - a zillion dollars?” Kyle teased.
“No. But I did ask for new car.”
“Yeah!” Brian said. “I wanna borrow it!”
“I asked for a new Porsche,” Eric continued. “But nothing.”
“You're not supposed to ask for stupid stuff, Eric!” Sheree said.
“Whoa! A brand-new Porsche is not stupid,” Brian added.
“Oh. So we're not supposed to take the Bible at its' word?” Eric continued.
“No,” Sheree said. “I mean, yes.”
“Well, which is it?” Kyle asked. “Either the Bible really is true, or it's not.”
While the Bible is true, we often need to study more for a better understanding of Jesus' teachings. Jesus did tell His disciples they could ask for anything using His name, and He would do it. But He went on to say He'd accomplish it because of the glory it would bring to God.
So before we start making a list of material demands, we need to first ask ourselves if our requests will glorify our heavenly Father. Maybe we should also dive into what it means to “pray in Jesus' name.”
I'll never forget the date I had to the big Valentine banquet my junior year of high school. Mom handed me her credit card with permission to purchase a new dress and sign her name to the statement. I knew, though, that when I signed Mom's name I'd be signing for her. That meant I needed to buy something she would approve of. If it were too short, too tight or too low, I couldn't in good conscience sign Mom's name to the statement.
I understood when I shopped, I was “shopping in her name.” When I signed the credit card slip with her name, I was in essence saying, “This is something Mom and Dad will like. They'll be proud to see me wearing this dress. This is what they would have bought for me if they had done the shopping.”
It works the same with prayer. When we pray “in Jesus name,” we're praying as we think He would actually pray the prayer Himself. In other words, we're saying, “God, I believe this is exactly how Jesus would have worded this prayer if He were praying it for me.” So we end our prayer “in Jesus name.”
It's not a catch-all magic ending to get what we want. It's striving to focus intently on how He wants us to pray and what He wants us to pray for.
Know It!
God will never go against His holy nature. So when you pray, pray according to His will.
Read It!
Psalm 4:1; Proverbs 15:8; Matthew 21:22; Acts 1:14.
Pray It!
Lord, teach me to pray according to Your will. Help me not to look at prayer as a way to get things. Help me instead, to see it as genuine communication with You.
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:36 pm
Prayer 102
Jesus only lived 33 years, and His last three years were devoted to public ministry. Since time with His disciples was so limited, He had to prioritize what He would teach them in three short years. We might think He'd cram in a few of the following:
o Creating a buffet for 5,000 with just a few fish.
o Providing 20/20 vision without contact lenses or laser surgery.
o How to cut down on funeral costs by raising the dead.
o Building the world's largest church with only 12 members.
o Who Needs Skis? Walking on Water.
But instead of spending time of what may have seemed important, Jesus got right to the basics. He taught his followers how to pray. He modeled His own prayer life for them, and instructed them to follow His example. We refer to this specific prayer as “The Lord's Prayer.” Let's take a closer look at this prayer as revealed in the New King James Bible.
Jesus begins with, Our Father in heaven.
Why did Jesus begin with this? Did He need to remind Himself who He was talking to? Oh, yeah. It's the Father.
No. But He did want to quickly remind us of who's in authority. We tend to think as a father-figure being the head of the family, or the one who's in charge. Jesus wanted His followers to remember that God, as their heavenly Father, is in control. He is God; we are not.
And why did He bother praying “in heaven”? Did God forget His address, and Jesus was simply reminding Him of where He lived?
Heaven is a perfect place - God's kingdom - and it symbolizes everything that's perfect. Jesus wants to remind us that we're praying to a perfect Father in a perfect place. And by stating “in heaven,” Jesus automatically separates and lifts God above all other fathers and all other gods.
Our Father: The Perfect One who's in absolute control and cares for my well-being. By admitting that He's in control, we also recognize we're in submission to His authority.
In heaven; The perfect kingdom of the Almighty. No other gods dwell in this kingdom. It is eternal, and the only way we can receive entrance is through the Son of God the Father.
Think about your prayers for a second, and answer this question:
When I pray,
a. my prayers are usually filled with gimme's.
b. my prayers are . . . well, I really don't pray that much.
c. I talk with God about everything, but it's easy for me to forget that I need to come to Him in total submission - recognizing He's the authority in my life.
d. I try to say stuff I think God wants to hear.
With all the things Jesus could have spent time on with His disciples, He must have thought prayer was important, because He made time to deal with it. And if Jesus needed to pray daily, how much more do we need it! Maybe it's time we take His lessons seriously.
Know It!
God longs to hear His children pray. Don't think of “The Lord's Prayer” as a specific formula. But let it teach you how to get into the proper mindset for approaching God.
Read It!
Matthew 6: 9-13; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 32:6.
Pray It!
Heavenly Father, I realize You're in charge and I'm not. I want to learn how to communicate more effectively with You. Please teach me - as you did Your disciples - how to pray from the heart.
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Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:17 pm
Prayer 103
It's almost impossible to turn on the TV and not hear someone using God's name. It's frequently being used as a punch line, to denote anger and to express a variety of other emotions. In fact, it's become so common most of us don't even blink when we hear someone say, “Oh, my God!”
Guess what - God not only wants us to blink twice - He wants our stomach to twist in knots whenever we hear His name being misused. And unless the name of GOD is being used in prayer or in talking about Him, it's being misused.
In continuing to teach His disciples how to pray, Jesus says to His Father, Hallowed be Your name.
In other words, “I give the utmost respect and honor to Your name, Almighty God.”
First, we recognize that God is our Father. He is in authority over us and reigns in a perfect kingdom that can someday be our home if we follow Him. Then we recognize that His very name is holy and set apart from all others. When we approach God with this mindset, we're laying out the proper ingredients for a fantastic recipe of genuine communication with our heavenly Father.
In Leviticus 22:2, God tells Moses to instruct Aaron and his sons how to treat the sacred offerings with respect, “so they will not profane my holy name” (New International Version). And in Dueteronomy 28:58, the children of Israel are told if they don't revere God's name, they'll suffer fearful plagues, prolonged disasters and sickness that will seem to hang on forever.
Isaiah 29:23 talks about the rewards of keeping God's name holy. And in Isaiah 57:15, we're reminded that even though God is holy, He pours Himself into the hearts of those who revere His name. He is extremely focused on His children who desire to honor His name.
How can you revere the name of God? (Mark all that apply.)
- Hit anyone who misuses God's name.
- Only wear clothing that has God's name written across the front.
- Leave the room when someone takes God's name in vain.
- Ask the person misusing God's name if he realizes what he's doing.
- Start a “Revere God's Name” club on your campus.
- Make sure whenever you use His name, it's always done with respect, honor and reverence.
- Share your thoughts on honoring His name with some of your friends. Discuss it. Pray about it.
While you can't rewrite television and movie scripts, you can ask God for a tender heart so that when you hear something you shouldn't, you'll wince. Or walk away. Or write a letter. Or make your thoughts known. After all, if someone used your mother's name, your best friend's name or even your name in a derogatory way, you'd probably take a stand. Will you do the same for God's name?
Know It!
God never wants you to become comfortable hearing His name taken in vain, used as a punch line or in negative terms. If it doesn't bother you, it needs to!
Read It!
Matthew 6: 9-13; Psalm 33:8; Psalm 89:7; Ezekiel 36:23.
Pray It!
Oh, dear Jesus, I confess I'm often not even aware of Your holy name being used in vain. I've become used to hearing it in ways I should have never gotten comfortable with. Will You forgive me? Create in me a sensitive heart and teach me how to revere Your holy name with my life.
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Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:44 pm
Prayer 104
It's hard to imagine a perfect world, isn't it? Our minds often drift to fairy tales when we think about a perfect kingdom. But God assures us that heaven is no fairy tale. It's an actual place that truly exists - God's perfect kingdom - and we can live there eternally with Him if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
Are there days you long to be in God's perfect kingdom? When you're faced with a pop history quiz, when you've been rejected by someone you care deeply about, when your heart is torn in two, do you find yourself longing for heaven - for a time and a place where there will be no more hurt, no more illness, no more death and no more tears?
Jesus knows exactly how you feel! As He faced persecution, rebuke and rejection from those He loved, He too, longed for God's perfect kingdom. In praying Your kingdom come, we can imagine Jesus lifting that portion of His prayer as a plea to His heavenly Father. “Come quickly, Lord! Remove the sin and injustice from the world and let Your kingdom reign.”
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We've already recognized that heaven is a perfect place where God's perfect will is constantly in effect. But wouldn't it be incredible if that happened on earth as well? Can you even imagine going to a school where everyone loves one another? A place where no one cheats, lies or puts anyone down. Can you visualize being employed in an office where honesty reigns and the other person always comes first? Imagine playing sports against a team who actually cared about your physical well-being and never intentionally fouled another player or spoke negatively about him? It's almost impossible to imagine a godly environment that's here on earth.
Though the entire earth is not a godly place, you can ask God to help you create a holy environment where you live and work and interact with others. What if everywhere you went, people saw God's perfect kingdom being lived out through your life? Talk about a powerful influence!
Yes, we know God's will is being done in heaven. But He wants you to yearn for His will to be accomplished right now . . . on earth . . . through your life!
Know It!
You don't have to wish for God's will. You can actually live in it each day of your life. You have the power to make that choice. And you can ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit to live out God's will through your thoughts, actions and attitudes.
Read It!
Matthew 6: 9-13; Psalm 40:8; Psalm 143:10; Matthew 26:42.
Pray It!
I want to live in Your perfect kingdom, Father. But until I'm in heaven, help me to allow You to establish Your kingdom within my heart. I desire to do Your will. Please show me anything that's keeping me from living out Your will in my life.
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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:38 pm
Prayer 105
Isn't it exciting to know you serve a God who is extremely focused on meeting your needs? A missionary once told the story of a poor widow living in Mexico. She had two small children, and her husband had been dead for several years. She was down to her last few cents. She had 22 cents to her name.
But she believed God would meet the needs of her little family. So she spent three hours in prayer seeking the Lord's direction as to how she should spend her last few cents. She wanted to act wisely. “Lord,” she prayed, “should I spend this last bit of money on bread for the children, or should I buy milk for them?”
After three hours of prayer, she sensed God directing her to a large market in a nearby village. She had never been there before, but she was familiar with it. When she arrived at the market, she was overwhelmed with the enormity of it. She'd never seen a shopping area so expansive. There were 122 checkout lanes!
She entered the building and sensed God telling her to get a shopping cart and fill it with three months supplies of groceries! She obeyed, seeking out the necessities she and her two children would need for 90 days. When her cart was overflowing with the essentials for her little family, she approached the 122 checkout lanes and sensed God directing her to lane number seven.
There was only one man in front of her being checked out. When the clerk was finished with him, she pulled a chain across the lane number seven and said, “Sorry. It's my lunch time. You'll have to go to another lane.” The widow looked the clerk in the eyes and calmly said, “No. My Father told me to come here. I'll wait.”
An hour later, the clerk returned to find the widow standing patiently beside her cart of groceries. Together, they unloaded the items onto the conveyor belt. The widow's heart was pounding as the bill began to mount. She nervously fingered the 22 cents in her worn purse.
When the next-to-the-last item was being rung up, the noise of the supermarket was interrupted by the sound of the manager's voice through the intercom. “Attention, shopper!” he announced. “Today is our seventh-year anniversary at this market. Whomever is being checked out right now in lane number seven will receive all groceries absolutely free - compliments of our market.”
When Jesus prayed, Give us this day our daily bread, He knew His Father was in the business of provision. Even before we were born, God was already working to meet our needs - creating oil in the ground, filling oceans, lakes, rivers and streams with water to quench our thirst. Let this portion of “The Lord's Prayer” be a constant reminder that God has promised to take care of His children.
Know It!
You can trust the Creator of the universe to take care of you. If He cares for the animal kingdom, the plant life and all of nature, think how much more He'll care for you!
Read It!
Matthew 6:9-13; Psalm 37:25; Hebrews 13:5; Revelation 7:16.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, how can I ever thank You enough for caring for my deepest needs? When I start to doubt Your provision, please remind me that You long to give me physical and spiritual nutrition on a daily basis.
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Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:43 pm
Prayer 106
“I can't believe Ryan!” Brent screeched. “He told Coach Andrews I failed the math test, and now the coach is talking about suspending me until I can bring my grades up. I'll never forgive Ryan for that!”
* * *
“Ugh!” Katie groaned. “I knew I shouldn't have trusted Julie with my secret. Now she's told the entire Zip Code that I'm planning on breaking it off with Matt. How could she do this to me? I'll never forgive her for this!”
* * *
You understand, don't you? When someone hurts you, disappoints you or breaks a trust, it's often hard to forgive. Our emotions take over and anger rules the decision to hold a grudge. After all . . . he had no right!
But for you to fully experience the forgiveness of God, Jesus teaches you must also forgive those who have wronged you. Read carefully this line in His prayer as He's teaching the disciples how to pray: And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
That little two-letter word “as” really connects the process, doesn't it? It works like an equation. We forgive, and we're forgiven. But if we hate, hold grudges and let bitterness fester in our lives because of the wrong we've suffered from someone else, how can we expect to experience forgiveness from God whom we ourselves have wronged and hurt?
When God forgave us of our sin, He made the ultimate choice. We were the ones who crucified His Son. Think about it: His only Son died for our sins - us, the ones who have failed, tuned Him out and walked away. Do we deserve His forgiveness? No. Do we need His forgiveness? Yes.
Maybe you feel as though the people who have hurt you don't deserve to be forgiven. It doesn't matter. You don't deserve it, either. But because God chose to forgive you; it's essential that you choose to forgive others. And when you do? God's freedom is unleashed in your life. There's absolutely nothing in the world more freeing than forgiving someone.
Make that choice. Decide right now to forgive. Go ahead. Let it go.
Know It!
You'll never be all God intends for you to be, until you allow Him to help you forgive those who have hurt you. So if I say I forgive someone, does that mean the hurt automatically goes away? No. Your wounds may require time to heal. Yeah, but what if I don't feel like I'm actually forgiving someone? Forgiveness is a decision. Tell God you consciously choose to forgive, and trust Him to eventually match your feelings with your decisions.
Read It!
Matthew 6:9-13; Daniel 9:9; Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:14-15.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, there are some people I don't even want to forgive! Please help me to want to want. And though I don't feel it . . . I choose to forgive. I refuse to hold a grudge. And I'll trust You to do the rest.
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Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:59 pm
Prayer 107
“Hey, Matt! How's it goin'?” Paul yelled across the parking lot. He sprinted to catch up with his friend.
“OK.”
“You don't sound too convincing. And you sure didn't seem like yourself at practice today.”
“Yeah . . . well. I guess I'm just going through a tough time right now.”
“Come on, Matt. What gives?”
“Paul, God's just really giving me a work-over this week.”
“Whaddya talking about, Matt?”
“Everywhere I turn, I'm being blasted in the face with temptation.”
“So?” Paul prodded. “All of us are tempted; you know that. Why do think Pastor Steve talks about it so much in youth group?”
“Nah. This is different. I think God's trying to see if I can handle being tempted. He keeps tripping me up.”
“Whoa, Matt. Wait a sec. God isn't out to trip you up. Remember what Pastor Steve said last week? God is on your side, Bro! No way does He want you to fail.”
“We got a new computer at our house last week.”
“Uh, oh,” Paul said. “I know what that means.”
“Yep. You guessed it. I mean . . . I don't even know where this stuff comes from, but I'm getting all kinds of porn e-mails and junk that shows up! I accidentally opened one.”
“Then what?”
“I quickly deleted it, but it's still hanging on my mind.”
“You did the right thing in deleting it. But Matt, it's not God's fault you're being flooded with junk like that.”
“Yeah, I think He's bringing all this stuff on me to see how I'll handle it.”
“Look, Matt. First thing you gotta do is get your parents to get one of those protector devices put on the computer. That'll block most of the junk.”
“I just can't figure out why God threw that stuff right in my face - especially when I was tired and vulnerable. He keeps tempting me, and I can't stand it!”
“Hey, Matt, you need to talk to Pastor Steve. I think you're confused about some stuff. Remember that line in The Lord's Prayer: And do not lead us into temptation. I don't think God's tempting you, Bro. Hey, Steve and I are gonna shoot hoops tomorrow after school. Why don't you meet us at the gym, and we can both talk to him?”
“I guess it couldn't hurt. Deal.”
Know It!
God never tempts us! The only one who tempts us is Satan. God equals holiness, goodness and purity. Satan equals deceit, hate and evil. God will never contradict His holy character. And Satan will never contradict his wicked character. Bottom line: Satan will never do anything good, and God will never do anything evil.
When you're tempted, don't blame God. It's not His fault. He's here to bring you through temptation. Satan, on the other hand, is out to tempt you, trip you and hate you.
Read It!
Matthew 6:9-13; Mark 1:13: Luke 4:1-15; James 1:13- 16
Pray It!
Dear Father, I'm tired of being tempted, but I realize now it's not You who tempts. It's Satan, and it's my own evil desires. Jesus, please cleanse my mind. Purify me within. Help me to be disgusted with sin. And thanks so much, that Your desire is to help me be victorious over sin.
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Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:49 pm
Prayer 108
“Not bad, Steve . . . for an old guy!” Paul teased after a quick game of basketball.
“Hey, watch it!” Steve said as he popped Paul with his towel. “My days of college ball aren't just a memory. I'm a legend in my own time!”
“Yeah, right!” Matt joked. “Let's see if you can eat like you can dribble.”
“Oh, I get it! You guys ask me to shoot hoops just so you'll have someone to stick the burger bill with.”
“Actually . . . we're thinking pizza, Steve!” Paul said as he grinned at Matt.
“Yeah,” Matt continued. “Seriously . . . I wanna talk about some stuff.”
“Well, what are we waiting for? We've got a double- pepperoni thick crust with extra cheese to order!” Steve said. “I'll call it in now.”
Paul rolled the ball across the gym floor as Steve dialed the pizza place from his cell phone. Matt sprawled across one of the bleachers and waited for Steve to finish placing their order.
“So, what's going on, Matt?”
“Well, you know all that temptation stuff you've been talking about in youth group?”
“Yeah. We're all tempted. No one's exempt.”
“Especially me, Steve! I can't stand it. I'm constantly barraged with temptation. I've been okay so far, but it's only a matter of time, and I'm afraid I'll give in.”
“Okay, Matt. First of all, you do know who's behind the temptation, right?”
“Paul and I were talking about that yesterday. I've been thinking that God was tempting me - just to see how I'd hold up underneath it all.”
“You can sit on that for good, Pal. God never tempts us. Never!”
Matt told Steve about the new family computer and the pornographic mail he was getting. “I asked my parents last night to get some kind of block for the computer, and Dad's looking into it today.”
“Good move, Matt,” Steve said. “And until that block is installed in another day or two, just stay away from the computer.”
“Yeah, but . . . how can I resist the temptation if I don't have it in front of me to say no to?” Matt asked.
“I'm not following you,” Steve said.
“Well, don't you think the way we resist temptation is to stand up against it? You know - stare it down.”
“No, I don't, Matt. God gives us a terrific strategy for temptation, but He never once told anyone to handle temptation by facing it.”
“Then how are we supposed to resist?” Paul asked.
“But running away from it.” Steve explained. “You see, God knows you can't escape being tempted. After all, you live in the world. But He wants you to stay as far away from temptation as possible.”
“So when I'm being tempted . . . run the opposite direction?” Matt pressed.
“Exactly,” Steve said. “And the cool thing is that God will deliver you from Satan's grasp. Remember The Lord's Prayer? Jesus prayed, And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. God wants to give you victory OVER temptation.”
“Hey, guys! Pizza's here,” Paul announced. “I'm starving!”
Know It!
God will not put you in a vacuum and exempt you from temptation. But He will provide a way out. Every single time. Your job? When you're tempted, run! And while you're running, pray!
Read It!
Matthew 6:9-13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, I'm sorry I've been so confused about temptation. From now on, I'm going to ask You for the strength to help me run the opposite direction from temptation.
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Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:28 pm
Prayer 109
It's hard for our human minds to understand that God never had to be created. That He's always been in existence. That He was never born. There's no beginning with Him, because He is the beginning. That absolutely nothing - zero - nada - existed before He was.
Humanly, we want to create a beginning for Him, because that's how we understand life. Our lives had a beginning, and our lives will have an end. So we naturally want to put God in that same box of limited understanding.
But know it: He is the beginning and the end. God is all. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere at once and yet is also able to be intimately involved in every area of our lives. He created the smallest ant, and He created the mammoth grizzly. He designed the Appalachian mountains, and He designed the Sahara Desert.
He invented music, color, rhyme, motion, laughter, surprise, adventure and mystery. He masterminded the intricacies of the human body, all of plant life and even snowflakes.
He called into being the vastness of the Grand Canyon, the strength of Niagara Falls and the wonder of the ocean waves. He put the spring in a kangaroo's foot, the squiggle in a worm and the roar in a lion. He alone decided why donkeys are stubborn, when water would freeze and how the earth rotates.
God IS. And He is above ALL. He's wonder and miracles and clarity and purpose. He's the definition of good and holy and absolute truth. He is Genesis, and He is Revelation. He is now, and He is eternal.
God is the supreme Being and authority over all. There has never existed - nor will there ever be - anyone or anything greater, more powerful, more holy or more mighty than Him.
God is the Father of time, the Father of the universe and the Father of humanity. He is eternal glory and righteousness. His faithfulness will never end.
No human has eternal life without him, and every human will bow in allegiance to His holy name. He will judge, He will forgive, and He will punish. He is grace, and He is wrath. He is perfect and beyond our finite understanding.
Man cannot escape God's sight. No rocket or submarine can propel a person beyond or beneath God's creation. His all-seeing eyes know exactly where each life on the planet lives and breathes.
He IS. Above all things, He IS.
And He is forever.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Know It!
You can't outhink, outsmart or outgive God Almighty. He's the reason you live, and He wants to fill your life with incredible meaning. Make time to think about His vast goodness. Praise His holiness. Ponder His faithfulness.
Read It!
Matthew 6:9-13; John 1:1-14; Romans 8:35; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:13.
Pray It!
Wow, Jesus. I don't often think about how powerful You really are, and how You are my bridge to God, to heaven and to eternal life. Thanks for reminding me that there is nothing and no one above God Almighty. Help me to think about His sacredness more often
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 2:53 pm
Quiz Time
Prayer is a DIRECT LINE to heaven. Think about it: GOD'S LINE IS NEVER BUSY. He doesn't have “call- waiting.” When you call, He answers, Every time.
Let's recap from the past few days on prayer. Ready for a quiz?
(In each question, mark all answers that apply.)
Jesus begins His prayer by addressing God as OUR FATHER. What are some of the other names God is addresses with throughout Scripture?
a. Alpha and Omega (Beginning and End).
b. The Big Guy in the Sky.
c. Jehovah.
d. Supreme Being.
When Jesus referred to God as being “our Father in heaven,” He reminded the disciples that while God is MAJESTIC AND HOLY, God is also
a. easy to hide from since heaven is far away.
b. extremely personal and loving.
c. perfect and in a perfect Kingdom.
d. a holy version of Santa Claus.
Jesus taught His disciples to HONOR God's HOLY NAME. How do you hear God's name in ways that aren't honoring?
a. I hear God's name used on TV shows all the time- and it's definitely not to honor God. It's usually done to get a laugh at His expense.
b. I hear it in the hallway at school.
c. I've heard people use it when they're angry.
d. (other)
When we ask that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven, we're saying . . .
a. “What will be, will be.”
b. “If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen; there's nothing we can do about it.”
c. “God, I know You're in charge. Turn the hearts of our people to You.”
When Jesus asked God to give us food again today as usual, He
a. was afraid God would forget supper.
b. was hungry.
c. wanted to remind the disciples that we are not our own providers; we trust our heavenly Father to meet our needs.
When Jesus asked God to FORGIVE OUR SINS, it served as a reminder
a. that God actually can forgive our sins.
b. that we should forgive others, because God forgives us.
c. that we only have to forgive immediate family members and close relatives.
Jesus asked our heavenly Father to DELIVER US from TEMPTATION. This serves as a great reminder
a. to do our homework.
b. that God really can save us from being defeated through temptation.
c. that every Christian in the world is tempted.
d. that even though we're tempted, God can help us live victoriously.
Jesus asked God to DELIVER us from the evil one. Who is the evil one?
a. My biology teacher.
b. Satan.
c. I don't know.
Know It!
God not only wants you to pray consistently, He wants you to understand why and how Jesus taught His disciples to pray.
Read It!
2 Chronicles 6:39; Psalms 40:1; Psalm 50:15; Psalm 118:5; Matthew 6:9-13.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, I don't want Your prayer simply to become something I've memorized. I want to live it! Please help me make your prayer part of my lifestyle.
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Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 2:17 pm
Using Your Hand as a Prayer Guide
Prayer is the most powerful and effective tool God has blessed us with. Today, concentrate on praying using your hand in the following 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 point 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 tell us. 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 never 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.” Let your pinkie remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into perspective, and you'll be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
Know It!
God loves to hear us pray. He never grows tired of hearing our voices, drying our tears, rejoicing with us and meeting our needs.
Read It!
Philippians 2:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2; 1 Thesssalonians 5:23-25.
Pray It!
Oh, Jesus! Help me not to take prayer for granted. I realize that being able to talk with You is an incredible privilege. Please help me to take advantage of this wonderful communication line I have with You.
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 12:07 pm
Don't Worry . . . Be Happy
Dear Diary:
OK, I admit, I'm not a diary-writing person. In fact, this is my first time. But hey, I got this thing for my birthday from Aunt Rosie, and I have to try it out, because I know the next time I see her, she's gonna ask me if I've used the diary.
So here goes.
Hmmm.
I'm not even sure what to put in a diary!
Guess I could just write about my day, huh?
OK. So today reeked. I was so worried about track team tryouts, I bombed my speech for class treasurer. And I was so worried about my speech, I couldn't eat lunch. And I was so worried about being seen with this huge zit on my face when I walked into school, I didn't even look up when Katie said hi. Now she thinks I'm mad at her.
Sigh.
Why is life so hard?
Now that I'm home, I'm worried I won't get my homework done before I have to go to work this evening. And I'm worried my boss is going to yell at me when I do get to work. He's always in such a bad mood. Guess I'm still worried about what happened yesterday at work. It was an honest mistake. I gave a customer change for $10 when he really gave me $20. He came back later and complained to my boss. I apologized and told him I thought he'd given me $10. Now I'm worried he's gonna think I'm trying to rip off the customers.
And I'm worried about the tennis match tomorrow. I'm really not ready for it. I need to work on my serve for about three hours straight. But how can I when I have homework and my job?
And I'm worried people are gonna laugh at me tomorrow cuz I've still got this Mt. Everest-sized zit exploding on my face.
Sigh.
Life is reallyreallyreally hard.
Yep. I can do that - write all weird and stuff. Cuz it's just a diary. It's not like anyone's ever gonna read this, right?
Know It!
God doesn't want you burdened with worry. He wants you to love life and experience the joy He offers. Do you realize that every time you worry about something, you're robbing yourself of God's joy?
Worry is different than concern. It's OK to be concerned - even burdened - about your nonChristian friends, your grandmother who's in the hospital or the fact that your dad was recently laid off his job. But to obsessively worry about things over which you have no control, goes against God's best for you. Worry causes you to forfeit God's peace.
Read It!
Proverbs 3:6; Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 10:19-20; Philippians 4:6-7.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, I'm glad that You're concerned about everything that concerns me. Knowing that, You'd think I'd realize I don't have to worry, wouldn't You? But I forget. I take my eyes off of Your faithfulness, and I jump into my worry-mode. Please forgive me, Lord. I don't want to miss Your joy and Your peace.
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