Spring Cleaning - Discovering our Purpose

On Sunday we introduced a new series on Spring Cleaning. The whole purpose of spring cleaning is to clean out all the junk and clutter in our house that we stored up over winter and get it out of the house. It's a time to open up the window and let fresh air in and re-organize your house.

In the same way, we can do a Spring Cleaning in our personal lives as well. In order to do that, it is good to look at what God, our creator, had in mind when he created us.

Read Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 1:16, 1 Peter 4:10

1. What do these scriptures tell us about our purpose?
2. Does everyone have a gift? If so, how are we to use it?

Application:

It is clear that we were created as a masterpiece from God. He perfectly designed us for a purpose. Each person has a purpose and is gifted in some great way to serve others.

What is your purpose and your gift? I have no idea, but the Lord does and wants to reveal it to you.

This week, seek God to have him reveal your purpose and gifting. Spend time praying and listening to hear his truth about your life, direction and gifting. Then, use your gift to serve others and proclaim Christ.

Pray

Staying Connected to God's word

On Sunday we had Karly, Corie and Kim all share about how spending time with Christ has made a tremendous impact in their lives. As they emphasized, it's so important to stay close to Christ daily.

God also emphasizes this to Joshua.

Read Joshua 1:6-9

1. What does God command Joshua to do?
2. Why did he encourage him to be strong and courageous?
3. What is Joshua to do with the book of the law? How do you think this helps him?
4. What's the promise God makes Joshua if he knows the law and obeys it?
5. How does this apply to us?

Application:

When Joshua had this encounter with God, he was just taking over the leadership of the Israelites as they headed into the Promised Land. Moses had just died and now, after 40 years of wondering in the wilderness, Joshua was put into this leadership role as they moved into their new land. Of all the times Joshua needed guidance and direction, it was now.

So, you would probably imagine that Joshua needed to hear something great from God at this point. Of all the things God could have said to him, he challenged him to be strong and courageous and to meditate on His word day and night. It is only through this that Joshua would be prosperous and successful. That's it! Stay close to the Lord by knowing, meditating and understanding his word. When he would do that, he would be prosperous and successful.

In the same way, if we are spending time with Christ daily, meditating and applying it to our lives, we will be in a much better place than if we did not do this. We will be prosperous and successful in life - maybe not in the way the world judges success and prosperity, but you will be successful by walking the path God has set for you.

Are you turning to God and his word for guidance and direction in your life?

This week, take time daily to spend time with Christ and see how you benefit from doing that. Set aside time each day - be intentional about it - and make sure that you can get encouragement and support from our creator. Then, apply what you learn and see what God has in store for you!

Pray

Easter Characters - Jesus

On Sunday, we concluded our Easter series by looking at the reason for the Easter celebration - Jesus. We looked at His resurrection in Luke 24:1-12 and then his appearance to the disciples in John 20:24-29.

But the resurrection and the power of this great event didn't end on this great Sunday.

The power of the resurrection and the greatness of God continued to transform people and the world. Take a minute and read Acts 9:1-31, Acts 11:1-18, Acts 6:1-10). After you read each section, answer these questions:

1. What happened in this story?
2. Who was the person God reached out to? What was their mission?
3. What did each event reveal about God's plan to reach others?
4. Do you think these events would have happened had Jesus not rise from the dead?

Application:

When Christ died, the followers of Christ were left wondering what to do next. They were afraid and scared of what was going to happen to them and what they were going to do from that time forward. BUT, when Christ rose from the dead on Sunday, they got a 2nd wind and a decided to do something great because of it. God continued to guide and direct them as they impacted the world for HIM.

What has the power of Christ's resurrection meant to you? How has it impacted you and your life?

Remember, if Christ can overcome death, is there anything he can't do? Of course not! In Philippians 4:13, Paul says, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Through Christ and his power, you can do all things. This week, allow the power of Christ's resurrection to give you that 2nd wind and a fire to share about Him to those closest to you. When the disciples trusted God and relied on the power of the resurrection, they impacted the world!

Pray that God would put some people on your heart for you to share about Him to them this week.

Easter Characters - Peter

Our Sunday, we continued our series on some of the main Easter Characters by focusing on Peter. We focused on how Peter went from being a fighter for Christ (John 18:7-11) to be a denier of Christ (Luke 22:54-62). Thinking through your life, when is it easy for you to go from a fighter for to a denier of Christ?

It is definitely hard to fight for Christ always as FEAR can creep in and cause you to deny - maybe not so much an an blatant denial, but it could be like not speaking up when you could say something.

Unlike Judas, the great thing for Peter is that he was given an opportunity for reconciliation with Christ.

Read John 21:15-19

1. What did Jesus ask Peter? How many times did he ask him this?
2. Why do you think Jesus asked Peter this and that many times?
3. What were the 3 responses Christ said to Peter's responses? What do you think these mean?

Application:

Christ asked Peter 3 times if he loved him. Christ didn't just model forgiveness here, but he also issued a challenge to Peter. He gave Peter the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to himself (after denying him 3 times) and then told him to "feed my sheep". Peter went on to become one of the great evangelists ever as he was on the forefront of spreading the gospel, not just the the Jews, but to the Gentiles as well.

Christ gives us the opportunity to reconcile with him daily. But, just like with Peter, he calls us to go and "feed his sheep." We are to go and further his kingdom.

We can not let fear or anything else allow us to prevent us from furthering the kingdom. Considering that this week is Good Friday and Easter, it is the perfect opportunity for you to share the love of Christ to others. Ask the Lord to provide opportunities for you to share about him to others. Then, when those opportunities open up, walk in boldness because you know that the Lord has given them to you.

Pray

Easter Characters - Judas

On Sunday, we introduced our new series on 3 main characters in the Easter story - Judas, Peter and Jesus. We started by looking at Judas (John 12:1-6, Matthew 26:14-15). As a review, what do these verses reveal to us about Judas?

Judas' love of money provided ammunition for Satan to use against him. It gave Satan a foothold against Judas. As Peter talks about in 1 Peter 5:8, the devil roams around the earth looking for someone to devour. As followers of Christ, we are particularly targeted. When we provide him a foothold to use against us in our relationship with Christ, Satan is better equipped to tear us apart.

That is why we need Christ all the more and through him we can overcome.

Read Ephesians 6:10-18.

1. Who are we to be strong in?
2. How are we to be strong in him?
3. What does it mean that our battle is not against flesh and blood? Who is it against?
4. What does each part of the Armor of God help us with? How will they be useful to fight of Satan's attacks?

Application:

Paul calls us to put on the full armor of God "so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes" (v.10). It goes on to say that our battle is not against flesh and blood but "against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms". Whoa! This is some serious stuff.

Because our battle is with Satan and all his goonies, we need this armor! This armor helps us stand firm by providing us the:

• belt of Truth
• breastplate of righteousness
• gospel of peace at our feet
• shield of faith
• helmet of salvation
• sword of the spirit - the word of God

Furthermore, Paul challenges us to be praying continually for those in the fight!

What powerful pieces to combat this battle! Are you equipped to fight with these pieces of armor? When we fail to put on the armor of God, we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to Satan's attacks. This week, let's be intentional about putting on the armor of God. Let's

• speak the truth to others
• live our lives with righteousness
• be ready to share the great news of Christ when needed
• have faith in the promises of God
• spend time with Christ as much as possible
• pray for others, as well as our lives

The battle we fight is daily and long. So, today, let's choose to put on the armor of God so we will be victorious - one day at a time.

Pray that God would give you the strength and desire to pursue him and be victorious for HIM in the battle.

He said what? - Producing Good Fruit

On Sunday, we wrapped up our series on "He Said what?" by looking at Matthew 7:15-20. In this section, Christ calls us to produce good fruit. By that, he was challenging us that in all that we do and say we proclaim him and make followers of him.

In the book of Acts, it talks about the history of the early Christians and the first Churches. Take a minute and read about the Church of Antioch in Acts 11:19-26.

1. In verses 19-21, what were these Christians doing?
2. In verse 26, what were these same people doing?
3. How do verses 19-21 connect with verse 26?

Application:

These first Christians took to heart Christ's challenge to produce good fruit.  Even under great persecution, they spoke to both Jews and Gentiles about Christ and many were saved (v.19-21). In addition, they took time to hear about God for themselves.  They were taught by Paul and Barnabas for a whole year (v.26)

In order to produce good fruit, we need to remain in Christ (John 15:4-6).  We have to be learning about Him and pushing ourselves in our relationship with him.  If we are not connected to Christ, we lose our power source (v.4).  Therefore, in order to produce good fruit, we have to stay connected to him daily.

On Sunday, we talked about ways that we can remain in Christ this week:

• Memorize a Bible Verse and apply it
• Be held accountable to someone else this week

These were just 2 ways we discussed but, there are many other ways.  Brainstorm for a minute other ways you can remain in Christ this week.

This week, the challenge is to 1. Remain in Christ (stay connected to him daily) and 2. Produce good fruit.

Pray this week for the desire and hunger to remain in Christ.  Also pray that God would use you to produce good fruit in all that you do and say.

He said what? - Clean the inside of your cup?!?

On Sunday we continued our He Said What series talking about cleaning out the inside of your cup.

We looked at these primary verses - Matthew 5:21-30, 38-48.

1. Did Christ's challenge shock you at all? How so?
2. Of the ones that Christ identified (hate, lust, revenge and love for enemies), which is more challenging for you to step up to?

As Christ encouraged us, we need to continue to do what is right, but he takes it a step further by saying in Matthew 12:34 that all our actions and good works have to stem from our heart. God cares more about our heart than our actions. The perfect example of this is found in 1 Samuel 16:1-13.

1. What was Samuel's mission here?
2. In verse 6, Samuel thought he had the right son of Jesse to be king. But, God had someone else in mind. What was God's criteria for the new king (v.7)?
3. How was David described? Did he look like he could be king?

Application:

David didn't necessarily look like a King. He was young and smaller than the rest of his brothers. But, most importantly, he had the heart that was right. He had a heart that was passionate about God and to follow him - "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." (Psalm 63:1-8). Even though David didn't look like a King, because of his heart and how it impacted his actions, he went down in the history books as one of the great Kings of Israel.

Sure, David made his share of mistakes but time and again, he heart was always for God and his relationship with the Lord impacted him. That is what is important to God. David desired to have a clean heart, one that would worship and praise God (Psalm 51:1-17).

So, how is your heart? How is the inside of your cup?

This week, let's do good and reflect Christ in all that we do. But, let's keep our heart in check and make sure that out of the overflow of our heart, we act and speak.

Pray that God would create in you a clean heart, one that is passionate about him and that your actions this week will reflect that clean heart.

He said what? - Ask, Seek and Knock

On Sunday we introduced a 3 week series on tough saying Christ said during his Sermon on the Mount. For the complete sermon, check out Matthew 5 - 7.

Of Christ's entire message, we have selected 3 sections in which made me (and probably you) say, "He said what?". Basically, these are head turning statements that challenge and push us to in how we live our life.

The 1st one we looked at was Matthew 7:7-14. Take a moment in read it.

In this section Christ made 2 "He said what?" statements:

• Ask, Seek and Knock and the door will be opened to you (v.7-12)
• Few find and go through the gate that is narrow. Many people enter the wide gate but it ultimately leads to destruction (v.13-14)

1. What or whom are these statements referring to?

• When we ask, what do we receive?
• When we seek, what do we find?
• When we knock, who will open the door?

2. Why do you think few enter the gate that is narrow?

Application:

These are head turners for me because too often we believe that we will find Christ without having to put forth any effort of our own. As believers we expect him to be there and make everything right. Well, that is half right. He is always there for us, BUT, we have to make some effort - even just the simple ask, seek and knock. How easy is that? When we do that, Christ promises us that we will find him and that we will be blessed (v.11).

This week, let's ask, seek and knock on CHRIST's door! Let's enter the narrow gate this week and choose to follow CHRIST this week!

There are many things we can ask for and seek that lead us no where. Let's choose to follow Christ this week and see how he blesses us and bless those around us.

It begins with seeking him. If you do not have a quiet time plan for the week, let me suggest you do these:

Day 1: Matthew 14:22-33
Day 2: Matthew 5:13-16
Day 3: Matthew 13:1-23
Day 4: John 5:1-15
Day 5: John 8:1-11
Day 6: John 21:1-25

Some questions you can ask yourself during these times are:

1. What happened in the story?
2. What did Jesus say or do?
3. How can I adjust my life to what he said or did?

I believe that if we truly seek after CHRIST this week, we will find him and be blessed because of it.

Pray that Christ would give you the strength, time and desire to pursue him this week.

Fruit of the Spirit - Self-Control

I'm hooked on "24". This might surprise some people as they know that I liked to make fun of "24" for years. Don't get me wrong, I loved the concept of the show, I was just amazed at all Jack Bauer could do in a 24 hour time period.

In the midst of the craziness of the day, Jack is very controlled and is able to get the things done that needs to be done. However, there are times when things do not go as planned (ie, a terror suspect doesn't answer the questions quick enough or something unexpected happens) that Jack loses his self-control and gets more than a little mad in his efforts to accomplish his task.

Does this sound familiar with you at all? Do you demonstrate self-control up to a point? What sets you over the edge?

No matter what our circumstances are, God has some thoughts about what it means to be self-controlled and how it affects ourselves and others.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:25, 2 Peter 1:5-8

1. What do these verses tell us about self-control?
2. What is the strict training we, as believers, are involved in?
3. How is self-control apart of that training?

Application:

This whole series on the Fruit of the Spirit was meant to be an encouragement to fight for Christ! I've said it before, but we have to choose each day to follow Christ. It's an active choice in an active relationship. 1 Timothy 6:12 says, "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

This week, fight the good fight of your faith each day by instilling the fruit of the spirit in your life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Clothe yourself with one or more of these fruit and encourage others to walk alongside of you as you all, together, fight for your relationship with Christ. Choose to follow him today and see how he blesses you!

Pray

Fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

On Sunday, we looked at our 3rd fruit of the spirit - Goodness.  

During that time we looked at Matthew 5:16 in which Christ challenges us that "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  We also looked at Titus 2:14 in which Paul said that “[Jesus] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” 

Christ calls us to let our light shine before others so that they may praise God because of it.  He modeled this challenge by himself by doing good and sacrificing our life so that we could come into a relationship with God.

Read Galatians 6:6-10

1. Using goodness as an example, what does it mean that you reap what you sow? 
2. How have you either positively or negatively reaped what you sowed? 
3. How will we and other benefit if we reap goodness?
4. What is the challenge here? 

Application:

I love the phrase, "God cannot be mocked" (v.7).  How we act and what we say will have a direct impact on what we sow.  It is like we plant apple seeds and hope that we grow oranges.  If our actions and words do not line up with godliness, how can we expect ourselves to become more Christlike and how can we expect others, who are watching us, be draw to him?

This week, let's 

• focus on doing good to others so that they may see our good works and praise and be drawn to God.
  
• encourage other believers.  Galatians 6:10 says, "let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."  Believers need to experience the good works of others as well.

Pray that God would help you be a light to others this week.

Fruit of the Spirit - Patience

On Sunday we looked at our 2nd Fruit of the Spirit – patience. We discussed 3 ways we can lengthen our fuse so that we do not lose our patience:

1. For starters, identify what lights your fuse. What is it that makes you lose your patience? Is it slow drivers, long lines for lunch, people constantly late or something else? If you want to increase your patience, you have to first identify what makes you impatient and shorten your fuse.
   
2. You may need to modify your expectations or correct mistaken beliefs. Part of what may make us impatient is that we have false beliefs about how things should work or happen. Therefore, when they do not go as we think they should go, we lose patience and get frustrated.
   
3. Build time into our lives for relaxation, renewal, and rest. This is so important because we live in such a busy area. If all we do is run around with our heads cut off going from place to place, participating in this and that, we will never be able to rest and relax. When we are not able to rest and relax, our fuse becomes less.
   

Two verses we highlighted were Philippians 4:6-7 and 1 Peter 5:7.

• How do these verse help us with patience?
  

So, at the mid-week point, how are you doing this week in being patient?

One great example of patience is God’s patience with us. Ever since Adam and Eve first turned their backs on God, He has been striving towards reconciling our relationship with Him. But, no matter what he tried, we kept on turning our backs on him. For instance, take a minute and read Psalm 81:12, Romans 1:21-32.

1. What would you have done if your people responded to you this way?
2. How did God respond?
3. How does God show us his patience here?

God could have easily come down and destroyed us all for all the times we have blown it with him. But, he didn’t. He remained patient and ultimately sent his son to die for us.

This week, let us continue to work on lengthening our fuse. In addition, let’s be striving towards Christ this week in all that we do. He has been so patient with us over the years.

Pray for patience this week, practice it and seek Him!

Fruit of the Spirit - Peace

I love Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Rarely is there an episode that I watch that the floodgates of tears don't flow out. I'm not afraid to admit it as I'm sure I'm not alone.

But, why is it that so many people cry while watching this show? I believe it is because we are moved as we witness the Extreme Makeover crew go from house to house trying to improve lives by rebuilding homes of people in need. It is a great show of compassion and community support. It is amazing to see what people working together can do for a family in a week. Just as amazing is seeing the look on the family's faces as they walk through their new house! Their lives are now forever changed because of the generousity and compassion of others.

In 1 Corinthians 3:16 it says, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"

1. When you think of being "God's temple", what do you think of?
2. What does it mean that God's spirit lives in you?
3. How should we live our lives if we are God's temple with God's spirit living in us?

When we come into a relationship with God, He is with and in us. How great is that! But, just as great as that is, it can be very challenging as well. Think about it, as God's temple/house, we are representing Him in all that we do and say. Think about your day. Have you represented God positively in all that you have done or said today?

So, how does this apply to PEACE at all???? Here's how - when we are in Christ, we are a new creation. Our old self is gone (2 Corinthians 5:17)! To bring in our new self so that we can represent Christ best (as his temple/house), we need to put on characteristics found in the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Peace is one of those characteristics that we can clothe ourselves with as we attempt to represent Christ.

John Stott said, "Now peacemaking is a divine work.  For peace means reconciliation, and God is the author of peace and of reconciliation".  If we want to have peace in our lives, it starts with reconciling relationships.  First, with God and then with others.  God demonstrated his desire for peace by reconciling our relationship with him by sending his son, Jesus, to die for us.

Application:

As we talked on Sunday, the application for the week is two-fold:

1. Ask God to search your heart for relationships in your life that are not at peace – relationships that are not reconciled right now.
2. Then, seek to reconcile any relationship that God puts on our heart. BUT, do not do it by yourself! Ask God to make known to you how you should do this.

Remember, as John Stott said, “God is the author of peace and of reconciliation.” Who better to lead you in reconciliation with another person than the author and perfecter of it?!?

As 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, we are God's temple. Let's be striving to represent Christ in all that we do and say this week. Whether you are able to reconcile relationships with others or not this week, represent Christ in such a way that people can see your deeds and praise God.

Pray that God would search your heart for any relationships that needs mending in your life and that he would give you the wisdom to know how to reconcile.

Fruit of the Spirit? What is that?

On Sunday, Rick Beckwith introduced us to the concept of Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-25.  

1. Of the Fruit of the Spirit, which is the easiest one for you to do?
2. Which one is the hardest for you to do?

What great characteristics for us to instill in our lives!  Now, as perfect as I claim to be (haha), I am also a realist and know that I can not always live up to these characteristics.  I lack patience a lot and my self-control is not controlled all the time.  But, the great news is that when we choose to follow Christ and pursue him, he will be with us, helping us instill these characteristics into our lives.

Read Philippians 2:12, 13

As Rick pointed out on Sunday, we are like an apple.  What???  By that, just like an apple, we start off perfect and in great shape.  But over time, as we invest in "sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like" (Galatians 5:19-21) our perfect apple becomes worn, beaten up and dirty.  We are embarrassed by things we have done and try to hide them.  But, it is God's intent to help us and to shield us from the junk found in those things.

By instilling characteristics like "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22,23) we can attempt to instill the goodness and hope of Christ in our lives.  Imagine if you lived your life each day with the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control of Christ.  How might that effect your friendships, your relationship with your parents, siblings, classmates?

I believe it could have a huge impact, not just in you but in everyone you come into contact with.

Application:

As part of his challenge, Rick focused on the Fruit of the Spirit - Peace.  He passed out cards and challenged us to:

1. Describe what peace is.
2. Tell what peace might look like to you.
3. Identify what causes a lack of peace for you.  Is it uncertainty about the future?  Uncertainty about who you are or who you will become?  Tension in some relationships or something else entirely?
4. Specifically and measurably, what can you do this week to experience peace?
5. Who can you ask to help encourage and pray for you this week as you seek to experience peace?

Numbers 4 and 5 are crucial as you continue to grow in a relationship with Christ.  My encouragement is to really step out and try something.  I have found that it's easy for us to say each week you are going to take action, but then fail to do it for whatever reason.  

To help fight that, let's take a moment right now and actually write it down a measurable goal regarding peace and then ask someone to pray for and encourage you to do that this week.

It is when we step out in faith like this and push ourselves and others that we can experience the life God intended for us to live.

End by Praying for the week and that God would give you the ability to obtain your goal.

Hearing, Believing and taking Action

On Sunday, we talked about Rahab and how she played a vital role in the fall of Jericho.

So, just as a refresh as to who she was:

• A Prostitute
• From a family and society that had many gods. They did not worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

This is who she was, but this would not define how she would move forward.

Read Joshua 2

1. Joshua charged 2 men to do what at Jericho?
2. The men hid in Rahab's house during the night.  Who was Rahab?
3. Why did Rahab protect the 2 men?
4. When Jericho fell, what happened to Rahab (Read Joshua 6:20-25)

Rahab could have heard all this news about what God had done for the Israelites and just shrugged it off.  However, she heard the news and believed that God could do anything. Therefore, she took action and hid the Israelite spies in hopes that she would be spared when Israel overtakes Jericho.

Because Rahab heard, believed and took action, her family was saved AND she was also part of Christ's geneology.  GOD USED HER in a mighty way!!!!

In the same way, God wants to use us.  The question always boils down to will we let Christ in and allow Him to use us as he did Rahab?

Think about it, how many times do we hear the great works of God, believe them to be true, but then not let it impact our lives?

Application:

This week, let's open up the Bible daily and discover all the great things God has done and has planned for us.  Then, let's take action and follow His lead.  As Phil point out in James 2:14-26 that faith without deeds is dead, we need to not just read and learn about Christ, but take action.

If you aren't currently reading through anything, let me suggest you do these readings this week:

Day 1: Matthew 5:1-12

Day 2: Matthew 5:13-16

Day 3: Matthew 5:17-20

Day 4: Matthew 5:21-26

Day 5: Matthew 5:27-32

Day 6: Matthew 5:33-37

Day 7: Matthew 5:38-48

No matter what you are reading, when you go through your quiet times this week, ask these questions:

1. What is God/Christ talking about here?
2. What is God saying to you in this section?
3. How can you apply what you just read and learned?

Take some time praying this week that God would use what you just read and learned and help give you the strength to take action with it.

We remember Rahab not for what she heard or believed, but for the action she took.  This week, let's put some action behind out beliefs and see where God leads us.

Relying on the Lord's ability

As we talked on Sunday, Moses had to put his fears and doubts and trust in the Lord.  He had to trust God because God had called him to do a mighty work, yet he felt unqualified for the work.

We are all unqualified for the work God calls us to, but if we trust and remain faithful to Him, he will guide and direct us.

The challenge Moses had to lead the Israelites out of Egypt wasn't the last time Moses needed to rely on God.  Read Exodus 17:1-7.  

1. What was the complaint of the Israelites?
2. According to v. 5, how mad where they at Moses?
3. What did Moses do?
4. How did God respond?

Moses was definitely put into a difficult position.  He was the leader of the Israelites and as leader, you hear the good and the bad (often the bad).  So, Moses do when he was faced with this tough situation?  He turned to God and relied on God's ability to do what needed to be done.

Application

When faced in tough or difficult situations, do you turn to God as Moses did and rely on Him to help?  Or do you, like I do more times than not, turn to myself and see how I can get the job done.

1 Peter 5:7 says to "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  

He will take care of you and provide for you for you.  He desires to do that!  What we have to do is to turn to him, seek him, and ask him for direction.

This week, seek him and turn to him to provide for you and see how God works in the midst of that!

Spend some time praying that for some things right now on your mind that you could turn over to God.

Taking Action

In Genesis 12:1-3, God made a covenant with Abraham.  

As we talked on Sunday, Abraham took the promise that God made him and didn't just believe him, but he put actions behind his beliefs.  Because he believed God, he put his faith into action by:

1. Moving to a foreign land  
   
2. Trusting that at the age of 100 he could have a son
3. Being willing to sacrifice his one and only son

Even though he did those things, it wasn't always easy for him to put action behind his faith.  After all, no one is perfect.

One example of the challenge Abraham faced can be found in Genesis 16:1-6.  Read through it and take a minute to answer the 3 questions.

1. Even though God promised Abraham an heir and many descendants, what did Abraham do?
2. How did that effect Sarah and Abraham?
3. Why do you think Abraham gave in and slept with Hagaar?

Like Abraham, even though we, ourselves, know the promises of God, it can be hard to put action behind our beliefs.  Can you recall a time when you struggled to put action behind your beliefs?

It can be very hard, especially with all the pressure we feel from others and we put on ourselves to be accepted and feel included to take a stand for our beliefs and put them into action.  But, as Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:7, God has given us the spirit of power.  When we choose to live out our faith by what we do and say, there comes the power of God behind it. 

We may not see the fruit of our actions or words immediately, but down the road God will bless what you did in front of others.

Application:

Living for the Lord is hard to do as it is, so why be the lone ranger?  My encouragement for you this week is to find someone who will spur you on (Hebrews 10:24-25) and this week go after the Lord together.  This way, you 2 can spur each other on towards Christ and actively living for him.  My encouragement in your selection process is to:

1. find someone who actively desires to pursue the Lord - someone who is at the same level of spiritual maturity as you. 
   
2. find someone of the same gender

If you do not have someone you can think of to team up with, pray to God that he will provide such a person.

I pray that God will bless you and encourage you when you take the leap of faith and proclaim him in your actions and words.

It's that time of Year again!

Can you remember the New Years Resolution you made last year?  If, what was it?

Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Timothy 4:8

What do these verses tell you about the importance of being physically fit?

What do these verses tell you about the importance of being spiritually fit?

  

It's that time of year again!  January is quickly approaching and this is the month that we typically make these bold and ambious goals to either diet, exercise, start something new, etc. These are very good things to do and I strongly encourage you to do this. For me, the problem isn’t coming up with a goal or task to do. Rather, it is actually getting out of my routine and actually doing it. For instance, Anne keeps encouraging me to exercise and Rick Huber wants to help me come up with a healthy eating plan. It’s not that I don’t want to do them, it is just getting myself out of the same daily routine I am comfortable and familiar with.

Working out and exercising are good goals to go after as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that we are to honor God with our bodies. However, in 1 Timothy 4:8, Paul also writes that although taking care of ourselves is good, spiritual nurishment is of even greater importance. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

What holds you back from setting goals and accomplishing them this year? And, what kinds of goals are you striving for? My encouragement for you, as we begin this new year, is to really look at setting goals that push us closer to Christ.

Maybe it is having a family Bible Passage of the week that your family can read on their own and then meet up to discuss at the end of the week. Maybe it is to take notes during your pastors or youth pastor's messages and apply 1 thing from it that week.

Whatever your goal may be, I hope and pray that take some time and really process how you and your family can benefit this year with some Christ-centered goals.

Application:

Write down 1 goal you can do this year that will push you closer to Christ.  Then, share your goal with someone else so they can be praying for you and encouraging you in your goal.

Christmas, Linus and Communicating

What is your favorite part of Christmas?  Why?

I love Christmas!  It is my favorite holiday of the year.  I love decorating the day after Thanksgiving (although this year, my 12 ft. wreath hanging fall put a damper on this year's decorating), listening to Christmas music and watching all the Christmas specials.

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of listening to Katie Von Kahle share with our middle school students about the meaning of Christmas.  She did a great job and in it, she showed a great clip from Charlie Brown's Christmas involving Linus.  Check it out.

Read Luke 2:1-20

What does this passage mean to you? What is the importance of Christ being born?

What did the Angels say would happen with Christ being born?

What is the latest thing you have upgraded? For instance, did you upgrade your cell phone, video game console or computer recently?  Why did you upgrade?

It might be a stretch to say that God upgraded his means of communicating to us by sending his son, Jesus, to come down here on earth, live among us and die for us.  God brought the savior to us!  When Christ came to earth, it signaled to us that God deeply cares about us and will stop at nothing to get across his message of love, forgiveness and redemption.

God upgraded from having Prophets speak the truth to his people, to sending his son, one and only son, to live among us.  Christ spoke for God as he is God (John 1:1-2).  What a huge decision God made to reach out to us. 

Because God changed his approach to reaching us, sometimes we need to change the approach we have at hearing and being challenged by Christ.

Application:

So, this week, how can you upgrade your relationship with Christ?  What can you do that will push you closer to him this week?  **Try to avoid the common - "I will read the Bible more" or "I will pray more".  Those are very good, but are not specific enough.  Instead of saying, "I will read the Bible more", maybe put down, "I will read through Philippians and write down 1 application that I will do this week based on what I read"**

Write it down and share it with someone else so they can be encouraging you.  Or, if you are bold enough, post it under the comments section and I and others that read it will be praying for you.

Who can you Impact?

1. Is there a social group that you tend to reflect? For instance, in school, would someone describe you as a jock? a dancer? a skater? or any other group? How hard would it be for you to be associated with another group of people? What would you have to do in order to go from a jock to a skater?




Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

2. What was Paul’s goal here?



3. How was he going to accomplish this?



4. Why would this be effective and how could it be ineffective?




Additional Thoughts & Application:

Paul’s goal was to win as many people to Christ as possible. He seemed teachable and appeared to change tactics all the time to reach people for Christ. That is even more clear here in these verses. According to these verses, he “became” whatever group of people he wanted to reach. If he was after Jewish people, he became like them.

I want to caution you, though, when we attempt to become like those who we are trying to win to Christ, it can become easy to start being impacted by them and their lifestyle rather than they being impact by you. For example, if you are trying to win friends from the baseball team and they like to go party. You can go along with them to the parties, but remember why you are there. Do not sacrifice your witness and potential impact by giving in and thinking you have to do what they do and be like them exactly to win them for Christ. That is not what Paul is implying here.

Paul did not sacrifice who God made him to be. What Paul was doing here was helping every person, whether Jew or Gentile, free or slave, white or black, come to know Christ. He wanted to take away any barriers that prohibited a person from coming to know Christ. But, he never gave in to worldly temptations to win them for Christ.

Young Life has a great saying, “Every kid”. Simply put, they are out to reach every student for Christ. In the same way, we should be after everyone. You may be most effective reaching students who are just like you (i.e., if you are a baseball player, you are most likely to identify and reach baseball playing/knowledgeable people). But that should not limit you from being able to share Christ with a person who is involved in the Chess Club.

This week, pray that God would identify a group of people to you so that you can become like them in order to win them for Christ. It won’t happen overnight, but as you begin to win their trust, you can begin to win them to Christ. Also, pray for an opportunity for God to open doors so that you might be able to share Christ with them. Now, tell a friend so that they could help and encourage you as well as be challenged for themselves.

Pray

Gideon and his 300

1. Have you ever been asked to accomplish a task given very little resources or time to do it? What was it and how did it turn out?





Read Judges 7

2. What did God say to Gideon about the number of men Gideon had assembled (v.2-3)?





3. After Gideon got rid of some of the soldiers, what did God say next (v. 4)? How many total men did Gideon have left to battle the Midianites?





4. How did the battle turn out? What is the lesson learned here?







Additional Thoughts & Application:

Imagine if you were Gideon and God kept on taking away people from your army. How would you respond? I don’t know about you, but I would be a little scared and worried wondering how we could possibly defeat our enemy with so few people.

But, God is a provider. He provided victory for Gideon and he will provide victory for all of us in our situations – no matter what they are and how the outcome looks.

The question is, are you a believer in God’s provision? God is faithful and will always be that way. That is why Gideon trusted God with just 300 men. Never did he question or waver in his faith in God.

The way God provides may not be conventional or logical, but the end result is a provision for us.

This week, how can you rest in his provision? What can you trust God with this during the upcoming week. Think about and pray it over to God. Then, see how he provides. Share it with another person so they can be encouraged and help you achieve your goal.

Pray