"That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us."
"God never lies. Everything he says in his Word is true. You can believe everything he says and live with courage and confidence in God's love, because you know that God's promises are true. It is impossible for God to lie, because he is truth (John 14:6). That's great news for us, because it means we can fuly trust everything God says. Each story in the Bible really happened. He will keep every promise. And most importantly, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross really is enough to save us from sin. But there's someone who doesn't want you to believe the truth. Satan will distract you from what is true and even lie to you to keep you from believing the wonderful promises of God. Are you believing God's truth or Satan's lies? A good way to know the difference between the two is to read God's Word and arm yourself with the Truth! Thank God for being completely truthful."
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Acts 2:42
Good evening chosen jr. high! Acts 2:42 states, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer."
"As the early church started to grow, believers in Jesus Christ committed themselves to getting together, talking together about important things, praying for one another, and learning more of God's teachings...What's more fun: working on a project individually or as a group? Group assignments can be a lot more fun, and you may even learn more because you can hear what other people have to say about what they're learning. Learning about Jesus is kind of like studying subjects in school. Doing things as a group can be good for a lot of reasons. That's what the early church discovered when they spent time together, and it's still true today. Early church members hung out together, talked about God, prayed to him, and studied Jesus' teachings. And God wants you to follow their example by going to church and Sunday school to be with other believers. Now commit yourself to gathering with Christians as you learn more about Jesus. Thank God that there are other Christians who can help you grow closer to him."
"As the early church started to grow, believers in Jesus Christ committed themselves to getting together, talking together about important things, praying for one another, and learning more of God's teachings...What's more fun: working on a project individually or as a group? Group assignments can be a lot more fun, and you may even learn more because you can hear what other people have to say about what they're learning. Learning about Jesus is kind of like studying subjects in school. Doing things as a group can be good for a lot of reasons. That's what the early church discovered when they spent time together, and it's still true today. Early church members hung out together, talked about God, prayed to him, and studied Jesus' teachings. And God wants you to follow their example by going to church and Sunday school to be with other believers. Now commit yourself to gathering with Christians as you learn more about Jesus. Thank God that there are other Christians who can help you grow closer to him."
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
philippians 4:13
Chosen Ambassadors,
"I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
"The apostle Paul accomplished great things for God. Through his efforts, thousands of people came to know Jesus Christ. But Paul knew his strength came from God. Because God is all powerful, nothing was impossible for Paul.
Some things may seem impossible: passing a test, making a three point shot in basketball, or obeying your parents. You may get discouraged when a task seems too hard. But if you believe in Jesus, you have God's power in you. And nothing is impossible for him. He created the entire world out of nothing! He can be everywhere at one time. He knows everything, including the thoughts and heart of each person. A God that powerful can do anything. And he can definitely help you when you face a difficult situation or have a hard job to do. So ask him to help you when you get into an impossible situation. And remember that when something seems impossible, it's very possible with him. Thank God that you can do everything with his strength."
"I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
"The apostle Paul accomplished great things for God. Through his efforts, thousands of people came to know Jesus Christ. But Paul knew his strength came from God. Because God is all powerful, nothing was impossible for Paul.
Some things may seem impossible: passing a test, making a three point shot in basketball, or obeying your parents. You may get discouraged when a task seems too hard. But if you believe in Jesus, you have God's power in you. And nothing is impossible for him. He created the entire world out of nothing! He can be everywhere at one time. He knows everything, including the thoughts and heart of each person. A God that powerful can do anything. And he can definitely help you when you face a difficult situation or have a hard job to do. So ask him to help you when you get into an impossible situation. And remember that when something seems impossible, it's very possible with him. Thank God that you can do everything with his strength."
Sunday, September 6, 2009
How can I know what is right and wrong?
What is God's will for your life? Many desire to do God's will, but struggle because they don't know what God's will is. The following are some principles from God's Word that will help you to discern what God's will is for you.
1. Is it helpful?
The first part of 1 Cor. 6:12 tells "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable (helpful).."Is it helpful to me? Will this help me to become a better Christian, a better friend, a better brother or sister?
The second guideline for knowing right from wrong also comes from this passage.
2. Will I be mastered by this
1 Cor. 6:12 goes to say, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable (helpful). All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. "Will I be enslaved by this? Think of some things that are addicting, for example...cigarettes, TV, and so on...
3. Will it cause someone else to stumble?
1 Cor 8:7-13 gives the third guideline for knowing right from wrong. In this passage, the principle is not to do things that will cause someone else to stumble. The apostle Paul had a strong faith; he knew there was only one God. He knew God had given him freedom to eat certain meats, but if it made others fall, he would not eat the meat.
As a student, can you think of any other situations where you could make someone stumble spiritually?
4. Does it glorify God?
1 Cor. 10:31 tells us, "So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Can this activity glorify God in some way?
1. Is it helpful?
The first part of 1 Cor. 6:12 tells "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable (helpful).."Is it helpful to me? Will this help me to become a better Christian, a better friend, a better brother or sister?
The second guideline for knowing right from wrong also comes from this passage.
2. Will I be mastered by this
1 Cor. 6:12 goes to say, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable (helpful). All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. "Will I be enslaved by this? Think of some things that are addicting, for example...cigarettes, TV, and so on...
3. Will it cause someone else to stumble?
1 Cor 8:7-13 gives the third guideline for knowing right from wrong. In this passage, the principle is not to do things that will cause someone else to stumble. The apostle Paul had a strong faith; he knew there was only one God. He knew God had given him freedom to eat certain meats, but if it made others fall, he would not eat the meat.
As a student, can you think of any other situations where you could make someone stumble spiritually?
4. Does it glorify God?
1 Cor. 10:31 tells us, "So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Can this activity glorify God in some way?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Treasure Hunt
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The world is in shock, and many are completely devastated at Michael's death at the age of 50. However, there is a truth that is more devastating and solemn than his death ... where Michael now is. Reports have said that he was close to converting to Islam, thanks to his brother's efforts. Nobody but the Lord truly knows where and what and who his heart served, but we do know that his life was anything but glorifying to God. People want to make Michael immortal, almost like he was a god, but we know that the Bible says that it is appointed for everybody to die, and then comes judgment. "King of Pop" or not, without Jesus, there is no hope for Michael Jackson. He built his treasure and fantasy land and made his music and videos with all of his heart. Now, it's all worthless to him. Salvation is the only important factor left for him, and without Jesus, that salvation is no longer available to him. Listen the Lord's warning in the verse at the top. Be careful what you value and love and commit your life to. Nothing will last for eternity, except those things done as unto the Lord and in HIs will. Your heavenly Father loves you and wants you to let Him have the control in your life, that He may bless it and make it count! |
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Walk in the Light
1 John 1:7-If we walk in the light, as he is in the light . . . the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Suppose a student chooses to test the effects of light and darkness on the growth of seeds for a science fair project. He gets some marigold seeds from the store, plants them in four Styrofoam cups, and waters them. He places two of the cups in a dark closet. The others go into a sunny window. In a couple of weeks, the seedlings appear. For a few hours, the plants in the dark and the ones in the light are quite similar. Two tiny green leaves break through the soil and begin to grow. Within a couple of days however, the plants in the closet turn yellow and begin to die, while the ones in the light grow and get more and more leaves. The experiment proves that plants have to absorb light in order to have the energy needed to grow, bloom, and make seeds.
The same is true of our spiritual lives. We need to live in the light in order to grow and become fruitful. Galatians 5:22-23 describes spiritual fruit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are in stark contrast to the ones Paul listed as acts of the sinful nature: Jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, envy, etc.
Let’s imagine a spiritual science fair project in which we try to become more and more kind. At first, we determine to observe how we act after a few days of listening to rap music that encourages rebellion and watching television shows that glamorize gang members who commit violent crimes. We may continue the experiment by hanging out with some kids at school who like to sneak around after dark to paint graffiti on the sidewalks in their neighborhoods. Would we become more kind or less kind after a week or so?
Next, let’s imagine that we do exactly the opposite for a couple of weeks. We listen to music that encourages us to love others in the same way Jesus did. We read accounts of young people helping others through short-term missions projects. We watch uplifting TV programs and movies. We might even volunteer to paint some classrooms at the local community center or play games with the children who gather there after school. Would we become more or less kind after a week or so?
Clearly, kindness could grow much better in the latter situation. We tend to become like the people we hang out with. So, if we hang out with mean and violent people, we will become increasingly mean. If we hang out with kind, generous people, we will become kinder. Living in the light means developing relationships with people who will help us become more like Jesus. We grow in godliness when we choose our friends based upon whether they have the kind of qualities God approves.
Those friends will be more likely to do what Jesus would and that will help us do the same. Good friends definitely help us walk in the light as Jesus is in the light.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you are the very best friend I could possibly ever want. You always love me and accept me. You even forgive me when I mess up. Please help me choose friends who will help me grow godly fruit in my life. Also, please me be the kind of friend who encourages others to become more like you every day. Amen.
Martha E. Menne
Suppose a student chooses to test the effects of light and darkness on the growth of seeds for a science fair project. He gets some marigold seeds from the store, plants them in four Styrofoam cups, and waters them. He places two of the cups in a dark closet. The others go into a sunny window. In a couple of weeks, the seedlings appear. For a few hours, the plants in the dark and the ones in the light are quite similar. Two tiny green leaves break through the soil and begin to grow. Within a couple of days however, the plants in the closet turn yellow and begin to die, while the ones in the light grow and get more and more leaves. The experiment proves that plants have to absorb light in order to have the energy needed to grow, bloom, and make seeds.
The same is true of our spiritual lives. We need to live in the light in order to grow and become fruitful. Galatians 5:22-23 describes spiritual fruit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are in stark contrast to the ones Paul listed as acts of the sinful nature: Jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, envy, etc.
Let’s imagine a spiritual science fair project in which we try to become more and more kind. At first, we determine to observe how we act after a few days of listening to rap music that encourages rebellion and watching television shows that glamorize gang members who commit violent crimes. We may continue the experiment by hanging out with some kids at school who like to sneak around after dark to paint graffiti on the sidewalks in their neighborhoods. Would we become more kind or less kind after a week or so?
Next, let’s imagine that we do exactly the opposite for a couple of weeks. We listen to music that encourages us to love others in the same way Jesus did. We read accounts of young people helping others through short-term missions projects. We watch uplifting TV programs and movies. We might even volunteer to paint some classrooms at the local community center or play games with the children who gather there after school. Would we become more or less kind after a week or so?
Clearly, kindness could grow much better in the latter situation. We tend to become like the people we hang out with. So, if we hang out with mean and violent people, we will become increasingly mean. If we hang out with kind, generous people, we will become kinder. Living in the light means developing relationships with people who will help us become more like Jesus. We grow in godliness when we choose our friends based upon whether they have the kind of qualities God approves.
Those friends will be more likely to do what Jesus would and that will help us do the same. Good friends definitely help us walk in the light as Jesus is in the light.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you are the very best friend I could possibly ever want. You always love me and accept me. You even forgive me when I mess up. Please help me choose friends who will help me grow godly fruit in my life. Also, please me be the kind of friend who encourages others to become more like you every day. Amen.
Martha E. Menne
Saturday, April 25, 2009
What's Growing Inside?
My wife, Christina, recently hit me with the most amazing news. She held up a note to me that read, "You're going to be a Daddy"! I will never forget that feeling of shock and sheer joy, knowing that my wife is pregnant with our first daughter or son. She has the smallest parts of a living human being growing inside of her, and it's something that I will never get used to. What a blessing!
Unfortunately, not all pregnancies are happy occasions with bright and hopeful futures. The Bible gives us such an example. I am referring to a passage in the 14th verse of the 7th Psalm. It states, "He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment."
We all have ideas, motives, dreams, plans, etc. growing inside of us. When the Lord is not the Director of our life and our hearts, sin is the primary resident that begins to grow inside of us like a baby would in a mommy-to-be. It starts out small and difficult to detect ... but it's there. Soon, if unchecked by the Holy Spirit, that sin begins to grow, and people begin to take notice of its effects on your walk and your life. You try to disguise it, hide it, so nobody will notice, but when that sin has come to full term, the gig is up, and the birth has arrived. The end result of that sin is death.
Jesus said in 1 John 1:9 that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We don't want that sin to grow and take over. Our lives should be giving birth to the fruit of the spirit because that sin is gone, and what is growing in us is the power of the Holy Spirit.
Peter said it well in 2 Peter 3:18, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever! Amen."
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