FRIDAY, April 11th, 2008

I just want to brag on what an incredible group of teenagers you all are. Great Job Yesterday. You have to admit, it was very fun and Unifying to read a passage together and all write our own thoughts about it. I could comment on every single on of your comments! You all did so great! I especially liked the spanish devotion with the translation, and I was thrilled to read Jill's testimony about her friends. I would add to what Jill said, It is wonderful and refreshing to hang out with Godly friends and not feel the need to talk bad about others. I believe that there are some girls like that in our youth group. You should unite as great Christian friends, so that Jill doesnt have to drive to Sarasota just to be with "Good Christian Friends" :)

Listen, When the weekend comes, it will be very easy to stop doing the devotions... Trust me! I Know!!!!! But Be Faithful! If you miss a day, then GET BACK ON THE NEXT DAY!!! I am so excited and passionate about seeing what God will do through our youth ministry if we spend time with Him and with each other every day! Love You Guys! Pastor Lee

James 5:1-11

1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.
4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

I was hesitant to do this chapter today, because It is kind of tough to understand, and at first I did not think that you or I stuggle with being rich :)
However, as I studied it, I saw a few other important lessons we must know. I will start at the top. Verses 1-6 talk about the rich man. This passage makes it clear that money will not bring happiness. I think of many people, especially men like Bill Gates, "The richest man in the World" He has claimed himself that his money has not brought happiness, but it has only showed him that there is something missing in his life. He tried to fill that void by doing charity, but we know the only way to fill that void is to trust Christ. This passage makes it clear that our money is going to fade away, but there is something more important to live for and that is what we see in verses 7-11.
The theme in these verses simply let us know, that while the world may seem appealing and exciting with all of its treasures, and all of it's pleasures, we must follow God patiently! Because the day will come that IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL. I am reminded again of yesterdays passage. Our life is but a vapor. If we live patienlty for God during this vapor of a life, then we will have all eternity to enjoy Gods pleasure for our life.